My First Broncos Game

It's no secret around here that I am a huge football fan and after moving to a state that could care less about college football, (I know, it's hard to imagine these places survive without it) I've spent the last two seasons trying to learn the in's and out's of the NFL. The fact that Tim Tebow was drafted to the Broncos and that I live an hour away from Denver made it a pretty obvious choice that I would become a Broncos fan. Unfortunately for me, I happened to pick the worst season ever to declare my loyalty. But hey, at least no one can ever accuse me of being a bandwagon fan.

One night at Bible study somewhere around the end of last football season, my friend Lydia found out I had never been to a Broncos game. For someone who has been a season ticket holder for the past 20 years, this was simply unacceptable and she promised that next year she would take me to a game.

Well, here we are...the 2011 football season and Lydia came through on her promise. Last Sunday I found myself sitting 36 rows from the field at Mile High Stadium!

Over the years I've been to plenty of football fields and seen plenty of big football games. The whole college football experience is too big for words, but I have to admit, Broncos fans can truly hold their own when it comes to tailgating. Of course you have your standard RV's, grills, big screen TV's, and games of corn hole, but some Broncos fans take it to a whole new level. One group brought their own replica of the horse that sits on top of the stadium.

I'm still wondering where they keep that thing every other day of the year.

After enjoying some pre-game fan fare, we found our way to our seats. Then was on to the next order of business...finding Timmy.

With one eye on #15, it was time to survey the fan base and get a feel for what kind of people I am aligning myself with. As far as fans go, I have to say the Broncos fans are a pretty family-friendly bunch. Of course you hear some strong language here and there, but overall they are pretty good sports about everything. I realize however, this may have something to do with the fact that I was in the season ticket holder section surrounded by the regulars who all kind of know each other from years of sitting in the same seats. It was all just like you would imagine it. Everyone is like family.

When the game started, I'm sure the "family member" to my left did not really appreciate my sideline commentary of Tim Tebow's every move though. I just needed to check every few minutes to see if he happened to have a helmet on and if Kyle Orton happened to put on the "I'm done for the day" baseball cap. Plus you have to keep your eye on that Brady Quinn character. The last thing I want is for Orton to take a seat and me get all excited only to realize they are sticking Brady in. No thanks!

Timmy Touchdown did make an appearance on Sunday - as a wide receiver...don't even get me started. I am just going to believe that John Fox put him in just for me because it was my first Broncos game and all. After Tebow's one play it gave me hope I would see more of him. Plus, I watched Tim stand on the sideline the entire second half - helmet on, ready to go in at any moment. Every piece of evidence pointed to the fact that he was going in, but no such luck. Who do I write a strongly worded letter to about that? Stop getting my hopes up that you are actually going to let him play. It's not right!

Even though we have only seen brief moments of play action from Tim, for a third string QB, Broncos fans sure do love this kid. Every other jersey in the stands is a Tim Tebow jersey. I fit right in! After one game I am fairly convinced Broncos fans (and I'm including myself in this) would rather run the risk of a loss with Tebow as QB than have a guaranteed win with Orton. It probably has something to do with the fact that watching Orton run an offense is like watching an entire game in slow motion, or maybe they just don't like that mustache he has been trying to pull off the last few games. I don't know. I can only speak for myself - PUT TEBOW IN!!!

Even with my Tim Tebow frustration, it really was the picture perfect day.

I can't imagine a better first game experience and after a stressful fourth quarter, the Broncos' defense held the Bengals and the Broncos won 24-22. Thanks for a memorable day Lydia and Go Broncos!