The Denver Broncos were once proud owners of the title “The Biggest Homefield Advantage in Professional Sports.” The title was earned because of the raucous fans who inhabited Mile High Stadium, a fort that moved and swayed with supporters stomping their feet, and for the lofty altitude of Denver, Colorado, which is 5,280 feet above sea level. Does that title still ring true today?
The Lore
The Old West was notorious for its gunslingers who rode through the prairies. Names like Buffalo Bill, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill, and even Doc garnered fear and respect as they filled the pages of books and the seats of theatres.
The Duke, The Mastermind, The Snake, and The Sheriff were the names of the Denver Broncos that once filled the NFL with fear and respect. But it has been a long time since they rode off into the sunset. These men ruled over the best home-field advantage in sports as they roped together a home-field record of 305-182-7. They fought off Raiders and Chiefs and dodged lightning. They warded off Lions, Bears, and Jaguars and even managed to deter 49ers from claiming their stake in the Rocky Mountains.
When opponents thought it was a good idea to ride into town and challenge the Denver Broncos, they were greeted by a man wearing a barrel in the south stands who stood tall and bare-chested each week, leading the loudest section of fans in the National Football League. Opposing teams knew that sometime in the second half, their lungs would tell them that the air in this old cow town was a little thinner, their legs would give out, their hearts would flutter, and in the end, the orange sunset behind the hills over yonder would tip its hat and say that the Denver Broncos rule in these parts.
The Present
In the last nine years, however, the Raiders have ridden into town, looted the saloon and the general store, and taken any pride that once existed. The Chiefs now govern the grounds and have taken all that once was good and right in the West. Even the Chargers have sent shockwaves through the once well-guarded outpost of Mile High Stadium. Not even Stink, Kubs, Aqib, Rulon, Meck, Fletch, or Gradishar are available to stand watch.
All that remains is the dust that covers old trophies and worn-out memories. Many have tried to put the Sheriff’s badge on the lapel and calm the locals but to no avail. The lore is gone. It is an exhausted tumbleweed stuck in a rickety fence on the side of the road.
If you wander around the Mile High City, you will see stuck to every light post in town a sign that reads: “Wanted – Alive A Football Team That Can Fight off the Chiefs, Barr the Raiders at the Door, and Silence the Chargers.” The locals say they haven’t seen a team like that in some time now. There is an imposter that sits in Dove Valley that can only boast a home record of 36- 46 since the Sheriff last left town.
The Future
There is, however, a quiet murmur in the saloons that says maybe something is stirring in Dove Valley. A couple of years ago, a new gentleman came into these parts. He owns a few general stores, and people say that he is the richest person in this county or any other county. He hired a new sheriff who brought in a young deputy with the hope of bringing law and order back to the West.
The locals are still wary, as they have heard promises before. They have seen one come into town and try to get the people to ride with him, but he kept falling off his horse and taking all the gold—no one followed. Another attempted to lure a notorious gunslinger to help fight off intruders, but the gun never showed up, and that sheriff left town less than a year later.
Now, the new Sheriff and the young deputy haven’t quite worked everything out yet, but there are things about the two that seem to rekindle the Lore of Mile High.
Although they lost the first showdown at Mile High this year, there is hope that they can restore order in the West. The Las Vegas Raiders come into town this week without their full complement of riders, and it is a good time for these newcomers to make their stand.
They must make a firm statement to the West that the Raiders can no longer come and go as they please. The Chiefs must be sent back east, and the Chargers are no longer welcome.
This West is, after all, Denver Broncos Country.
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