BRONCS!

It’s no secret that I am an avid Broncos fan. This isn’t necessarily because the Broncos have the most amazing team, or that I follow the draft, roster changes and big money deals. I’m a fan because of family. The Jacobsen’s have been going to games for over 40 years and at Invesco Field, section 318 is our home away from home.

This year will be a bit more difficult and sentimental. My Uncle Roy, who passed away in July, was our patriarch Broncos leader. One of his first dates with his wife was a Broncos game in the early 60’s. He went in with a few buddies and bought season tickets in ’68 and from then on, our family has bled orange. I have vivid memories as a child going to games and learning all about football and what it means to be loyal to Your Team no matter what.

There was a small hiatus in the ‘90’s and early 2000’s where we didn’t go to many games. It wasn’t on purpose, it was just that life was busy. That all changed in the 2005/6 season when the Broncos went to the playoffs and we played New England. We--my Uncle Roy, dad, Cousin Tom, (Roy's son) and I-- used our 318 tickets and tailgated like the experts do. We ended up winning that game and a new tradition was born. Broncos Sunday became all about “The Fantastic Four” and BRONCS!

The Four have an honorary tailgate in the summer to organize tickets and rev up our BRONCS! spirit. During the season, we tailgate in lot G, don our vintage Broncos jerseys and maybe, sometimes, heckle the visiting team’s fans…

This year, as we had our summer tailgate to figure out tickets and such, we experienced a significant “first” of our life without Uncle Roy. Not having one of our Four there was palatable and painful. We know that Uncle Roy would want the spirit of The Four and BRONCS! to live on with pride, so I will cherish the miracle of BRONCS! and all that it represents even more this year.