Broncomania is nothing new to me. I am a Denver teen of the ‘80s. Although I only learned of Floyd Little later on, I grew up in the throes of John Elway, an elder in the Broncomania religion, when Broncomania exploded.
Two Bronco Super Bowls in my high school years . . . and thereafter probably the whackiest Broncomaniac of all, Rich G-Man Goins. The Billboard Man. He lived outdoors attached to a harness, across from Mile High Stadium, refusing to leave his little fortress until the Broncos won a game that particular season.
As it turned out, it was not until 33 days after Goins ascended his Billboard abode that the Broncos won a game.
Unless you are a Denverite, it’s hard to explain the Bronco fever and Bronco pride that overtakes faithful fans, that is, basically, the entire city. Within minutes of the Broncos winning the AFC Championship against the Patriots, my facebook newsfeed began lighting up with interesting status updates. To give you an idea, here are a couple:
“Proof that G-d is a Broncos fan — the sky is blue and sunrises and sunsets are orange.”
“Just remembering that this past Chanukah my son’s menorah that he lit all eight nights was a Bronco motif. Coincidence?”
I won’t go into the many different dvar Torah interpretations I have heard lately linking “18” — Peyton Manning’s famed jersey number — and chai. Not to mention all the hallel and holiday jokes surrounding the Broncos AFC Championship win that, yet again, officially sent the Broncos off in the quest for the Lombardi Trophy at the Super Bowl.
All jokes aside, to be in Denver now steeped in Broncomania sure does feel like a holiday! I confess I don’t really follow football that much, but when it comes to the Broncos I bleed blue and orange just like all my fellow Denverites. I am a loyal fan! And I throw my hat into the collective ring of our town.
From the pep rally celebration at Civic Park, complete with Thunder, the Denver Broncos live horse mascot, our very own Broncos whisperer, to so many other Broncomania touches sweeping Colorado, there are few if any cities that can claim the same fan level as our Denver.
I have seen the blue and orange manicured hands of women, the two-toned blue and orange bubble gum balls in gum dispensers, the lit up airport of a blue and orange halo, the bakery window football cakes and cupcakes frosted in orange and blue (and chocolate and cream football whoopie pies!) on the slopes, with Bronco flags flying from the chair lifts, the little children and babies replete with navy and orange outfits and accessories, to the blue and orange painted cars.
I saw Aver Zussman, the ultimate fan, in shul, Denver Bronco’s faithful Broncomaniac all the way in Israel, who, upon moving to Israel from Denver, made his home the Denver Broncos headquarters, always enthusiastically hosting middle of the night (due to the time difference) Bronco gatherings for Denver expats. He doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to championship games and the Super Bowl, of course. Through the decades, many yeshiva and seminary students have made wonderful memories in his and his wife Edna’s home.
So I saw Aver in shul, dressed in his Shabbat best, distinguished hat and all. Only this time he sported an orange Bronco tie, punctuated in a pattern of miniature Bronco symbols throughout.
Yes, I know Broncomania and its wonderful insanity in our city — whether at the DMV or the hospital, it’s “Time To Ride” here in the land of Broncomania. Every interaction, every greeting, be it personal or business, concludes, like a typical Friday afternoon might for us Jews with a “Good Shabbos,” with a casual “Go Broncos.” That’s the seal to the conversation.
There is a collective consciousness of all of us here in Denver being on the same page, “United in Orange,” as the saying goes. And it feels wonderful, this Broncos Country.
So when I was walking on the way to the art exhibit at the Denver Art Museum, I was amused when I passed the sculpted teacher on 12th Ave. outfitted in a Broncos jersey, only to turn the corner onto Broadway and spot the enormous bison sculpture outfitted in a custom made bright orange 18 Broncos jersey, too.
“Only in Denver,” I thought. Right?
On my way back from the art museum I turned up 14th St. and what do you know. The gleaming new grey granite of the Supreme Court Bldg., its modern front pillars — draped in long blue and orange with vertical “Go Bronco” signs.
Well.
It’s one thing for the citizens of Denver, we fans, to demonstrably root for the team. But for it to be embodied by official government buildings? And courts, no less? Now that really and truly must be an “only in Denver.”
That, my friend, is Broncomania. Taken to a whole new level.
It’s insane.
But I’m loving it.
And proud.
Go Broncos!
Copyright © 2014 by the Intermountain Jewish News
