28
Nov
2009
Broncos vs Giants Thanksgiving Game – Photo Essay
When the 2009 NFL schedule was announced, I was thrilled to see that my favorite team, the New York Football Giants, were coming to my adopted home state of Colorado to play the Denver Broncos this season. Not only would it be the first time I would get to watch my Giants play at Mile High – the site of some classic match-ups from the ’80s-’90s (remember the Gary Reasons goal line hit on Bobby Humphrey in the snow?) – but it would be on Thanksgiving Night!
I immediately put out feelers for game tickets, and invited my parents to spend Thanksgiving at my new home in Colorado. It seemed like a perfect holiday plan. And up until Thursday night at about 6:20pm MT, it was. It was at that point that my beloved Giants decided to crap all over our Thanksgiving celebration, by not even showing up for the game and putting on one of the more miserable displays I’ve ever had the misfortune of seeing in person. If you watched the game, you already know, and I’m not going to get into a breakdown of what went wrong (hint: everything. lowlights here). For me, it was just brutal, while for the Broncos fans in the house, it was a full-on party.
But the holiday wasn’t a total loss, and I still have much to be thankful for. We were blessed with box seats and pre-game field passes by the Denver Post – clearly a signal of our growing influence in the sports blogosphere. Or maybe my girlfriend got them for us. Whatever. In addition to free food and booze throughout the game, we were able to snap some decent photos from field level during warm-ups. Here are the best of those shots, with some commentary as to what you’re seeing. I hope you enjoy it more than I enjoyed the game.
All photos by ArtieFufkin.
Pre-game field passes = extra special surprise. Much thanks to the Denver Post team for taking such good care of us!
Aaron Ross fielding punts. Moments after this pic was taken, an errant punt bounced out of bounds and into my hands. As I handed it back to Aaron, I looked him square in the eye and said "Go get 'em Aaron!" He said nothing ... there was a general sense of lethargy from the Giants the entire night
Plenty of Giants fans in attendance for this game ... a short time later, they would all be miserable
And the Broncos take the field ... for warm-ups
CONTINUE AFTER THE JUMP FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE BRONCOS/GIANTS
30
Aug
2009
Denver-Cutler Love Fest: Photo Essay
Jay Cutler tries to block out the boos of his former fans (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
I have just returned home from Mile High Stadium (I still refuse to call it by its new corporate name), the site of the much-anticipated Bears vs Broncos pre-season match-up, featuring the return of QB Jay Cutler to his old stomping grounds … much to the dismay of the Denver faithful.
It’s clear that the Broncos’ fan base is harboring some bad feelings about the way Cutler ended his career there, but I can’t help but wonder if their anger is slightly misplaced. Sure, Cutler came off as whiny and immature throughout the whole off-season soap opera with Josh McDaniels that led to his departure. But it was the young maverick head coach who has come into town and essentially run out his best players, determined to put his stamp on the franchise.
Regardless, Broncos fans used this game as an opportunity to unleash their furor on Cutler … showering him with boos at every chance, and turning their once-prized #6 jerseys into tools of derision for their new enemy. The game itself actually proved to be a relatively mediocre affair, with Cutler leading the Bears to a victory, and new Broncos’ QB Kyle Orton leaving the game with a cut finger.
But the real highlight of the evening was checking out the creativity of Broncos fans in their abuse of Cutler. Everywhere you looked, people were decked out in their most clever anti-Cutler outfits, channeling their frustration into an arts & crafts extravaganza for the eyes.
