ncos will take on the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII at the Meadowlands in Rutherford, N.J.
But it’s no secret that Denver is a football town.
The Broncos hold the record for the most consecutive home sellouts in history of the NFL, never having played a home game without a sellout crowd.
Even with this impressive streak and what has always been a very devoted and loyal fan base, the resurgence of the Broncos has completely changed the nature of the football culture in the city.
The Broncos’ heyday came in the late nineties when Hall of Famers John Elway and Shannon Sharpe led Denver to back-to-back championship victories in 1997 and 1998.
After earning his second ring, John Elway retired, leading the Broncos into somewhat uncharted territory.
Five different playoff appearances from 2000-2011, including an AFC Championship game in 2005, allowed Bronco fans to hold their heads high in what was a less that stellar decade for a team looking for a new identity in the post-Elway era.
Denver found its identity on March 20, 2012 when a four-time MVP named Peyton Manning decided to sign with the Broncos. Manning was coming off of four neck surgeries, and had several question marks.
Those questions were quickly answered as he led Denver to a 13-3 season in his first year in an orange uniform since his days at the University of Tennessee.
Immediately, the Denver football culture began to change as Manning jersey sales shot through the roof, instantly becoming the league’s biggest seller.
Manning, along with help from wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, center Louis Vasquez and defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, helped the Broncos to another 13 win season and an appearance in the Super Bowl this next weekend.
There is no doubt that Manning is one of the best players in NFL history, and that he just recorded what is probably the best season for any quarterback ever (Manning set the single season records for both touchdown passes (55) and passing yards (5,477 through 16 games)).
However, one of his, and the team’s, biggest achievements in the past two years has been the transformation of football culture in Denver.
Denver has always been a football town, but in the past two years it has become something more. It has become Bronco-Mania.
The city has turned into football-driven culture where fans will lineup outside Sports Authority Field at Mile High to sit in below freezing weather to catch a glimpse of history. Whether you are logging into social media or tuning into the postgame radio show, you’re basically guaranteed exclusively Broncos talk.
It is a culture where anyone wearing orange becomes an instant friend, and those wearing Tom Brady and Marshawn Lynch jerseys become enemies.
While a Super Bowl victory would legitimize everyone’s obsession, one thing is for certain: win or lose, this city loves it’s team and that won’t change.
