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Blog Entry 41 of 86 Baseball,football,the Grateful Dead,Jesus and me
Could be politics, religion, music, sports, family life or anything in-between and outside the lines. (I refuse to say "outside the box," even if my chosen line means exactly the same thing) Chronologically, I'm 40. The consensus among those who know me best puts me somewhere between 10 and 13 in terms of maturity. I love listening to Jimmy Buffett, the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers and all acts Country (except the Dixie Chicks who offended my long-held,closed-minded view of decent behavior) I have deep, strong beliefs in all things I believe in and sometimes in things I don't. I pride myself in my contradictory nature even though it is a sign of weakness to change one's mind. I have been known to waver more than John Kerry talking about national defense, though I remain steadfast in my beliefs. I am prepared to argue to the death on one issue and one issue alone; Dickey Betts should be allowed back in the Allman Brothers. On this, there is no compromise. I believe in compromise in all other areas so long as the compromise includes everything that I want or believe in. In all seriousness, I am a lucky man, blessed with a wonderful family and an uncanny ability to not care about anything if the situation requires such. I believe that minds are like parachutes in that they have been known to fail their user, albeit with a slightly lower fatality rate. So that's me, or at least that's kind of me. I mean, I felt that way right before I didn't.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~billsblog

Jolted by Chargers, 'fans' quit
Contributed by: Bill Prather   on 10/8/2007

Apparently, sports addiction in Denver is a zero-sum game. With all of the new Rockies "fans" popping-up, the Broncos seem to have lost an equal number. That is, if they were really Broncos fans to begin with.

I couldn't make it to the Chargers game (Doggone family responsibilities), so I gave my tickets to a friend. I knew Rich would represent. If only I could write what he had to say about the folks surrounding him at Mile High! I gave Rich the tickets with the condition that he keep me updated on the game (of course I was paying attention onTV while also monitoring the Ravens game. (Ugly, both!)

Rich's running cell-phone commentary seemed to focus mostly on the definite lack of real Broncos fans at the game. Rich, tried and true, orange and blue, die-hard and then some, Broncos fan, had this to say:

"(Blank) these people! You know if this was back East, the stadium would be full and they'd be supporting their team! Win or lose! That's real fans! There's not a real (bleeping) fan anywhere in Denver!"

Ouch! I guess the only thing worse would be to compare Broncos "fans" with Oakland's Black Hole. But we know that's ridiculous. There's no comparison. The Raiders faithful in the Black Hole don't leave early and they don't boo their team. Them's some fans!

It seems that lately, people are attending Broncos games for reasons besides supporting the home team. It's true that when you pay for your ticket you have every right to boo your supposed "favorite" team and even leave early if you like. Therein lies the conundrum. Real fans support their team, win or lose. Sure, they get disappointed, even mad. However, honest fans always support their team.

What happens when most Broncos "fans" don't have the heart to stick by when the going gets tough? No heart, no guts, no class. How does the real fan respond? If not the real fan, what's a Denver "fan" to do?

I have an answer!

Stop pretending! Put on your brand-new Rockies jersey, study up a little and prepare for Opening Day next April! For the record, it's pronounced "Hop." An infield fly is . . . oh nevermind. I won't waste your time or mine. We all know that as soon as the Rocks lose, be it now or early next season, the "fans" of Denver will take their boorish behavior elsewhere. Perhaps they'll boo the kids who don't find any eggs on Easter. Maybe they'll turn out to throw stuff at the people who come in late in the "Walk for the Cure." This town would have booed Auschwitz survivors for moving too slowly.

Remember the Elway Halloween candy scandal? Of course, all was forgotten with Super Bowl XXXII. The bandwagon was standing-room-only! Ahh, but the fickle hand of fate! In 1999, after a busted knee and four losses, the true colors came out. Orange and blue? How about predominantly orange and BOO? But that was then. This is now. My how things haven't changed.

(Invesco at) Mile High: Pathetic. The game on the field as well as the action (or lack, thereof) in the stands.

My attempt to become a true Denver fan is nearing completion. Tomorrow, I'll buy my Brady jersey and spend the day calling sports radio demanding Shanahan's resignation. Then, I'll pay $600 for a Rockpile ticket and complain about the walk and the view. Of course, if the Rockies win, I'll be all about that " Hilton" guy at first base! Is he related to Paris? I think he played with her at Tennessee or something. Or is he Peyton Manning's brother? Something like that. Gotta love that Ted Hilton!

What's sad is that a city trying to lose the "cow-town" moniker seems instead to embrace it. Brandon Marshall said it best: "If you're gonna be a Broncos fan, be a Broncos fan. Don't boo us when we're down. That's bandwagon." Right on, Brandon.

Know how you can tell a Broncos "fan?" He's the guy with scrapes on his knees and callouses on his hands from repeatedly jumping off, and back on the bandwagon.

Sad. Pitiful. Disgusting. Embarrassing. And the play on the field was bad, too. I heard that half of all the real Broncos fans in Denver were sick Sunday. The other three stayed in their seats until the very, bloody end.

The only person who didn't seem that upset Sunday was running back Travis Henry. He was smiling and giggling and stuffing himself with Doritos like a man . . . Oh. Nevermind.

I'm wearing my Broncos jersey tomorrow. How many others do you reckon will do the same? Once again, the fickle fans in this dusty old cowtown are being shown up by a doggone East-Coaster. Perhaps someday, we'll show you the way. If only you cared enough to stick with your team when they really need you. Till then, no worries. A loser from back East will carry your class for you. You do remember class, don't you?

Sad, Denver. Never thought I'd see it. Not here. I'm embarrassed to consider myself a Broncos-fan-in-training. I'm not from here, so I never learned to boo the home team. Guess I don't really fit in. It's a shame. Such a beautiful city with a great football tradition. Sad to see it taken over by small people with small minds and loud, angry voices.

Denver sports fans: Always there . . . with a stiff kick when you're down!




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Showing 1-10 of 19 comments
Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 10/12/2007 @ 2:40:53 PM
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This talk of "natives" confuses me. I've not seen many Arapaho, Bannock or Shoshoni, to name a few at Broncos games. Not even Ward Churchill.
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Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 10/12/2007 @ 2:34:33 PM
Rated Blog Entry
That's pretty funny stuff, there. I have no problem with the "commercial, corporate" nature of today's sports. It's what the market will bear. You might be on to something about those who go because it's fashionable. But again, an unthinking response! I'm the guy who's SUPPORTING the Broncos. Besides, come up with something better than "move back east" and "middle-aged." Proud to be here! I'm not even sure what you mean by "quack."
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Submitted By: Noyb Fymoth
posted on 10/12/2007 @ 12:52:35 PM
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You're welcome to move back east if you can't handle the swing of Colorado loyalty. Perhaps that's exactly why these fans are so fickle--fewer and fewer are natives and only attend games 'cause it's the fashionable thing to do. Besides, they have the money to afford the tickets. Go cheer for a college team if you can't handle the commercial & corporate, money-grabbing nature of today's professional sports. Also, stop using the Holocaust as a platform for your simple little jokes--not funny at all, you pretentious middle-aged quack!
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Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 10/11/2007 @ 11:08:11 AM
Rated Blog Entry
gave myself a one to make-up for my goof.
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Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 10/11/2007 @ 11:01:54 AM
Rated Blog Entry
Oops. I think I accidentally rated my own blog. Mistake. Sorry! Anyway, I think J Reits misses the point. Or rather, he makes it for me. I don't actually own a Patriots jersey. I was commenting on "front-running" fans. You know, people who stick when the going is good then make excuses for booing their team and leaving early when it's bad. I have never booed the Broncos in Denver. Sadly, I'm more a Bronco supporter than Reits and his ilk. Sorry about tearing down Mile High. I must have been drinking that day because I thought the majority of voters in the metro area were responsible for that. Does that mean they're not Broncos fans? Additionally, of course Bronco (sic) fans are the best in the "county." We could debate the best fans in the country, however. Proofread, my friend! What's wrong with people from San Diego. They're pretty and they have nice tans! But how did they get your precious Broncos season tickets?
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Submitted By: J Reits
posted on 10/11/2007 @ 9:48:58 AM
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Bill- If you like east coast fans so much go to a Philadelphia Eagle’s game you jerk off! Bronco fans are the best in the county. The only people who want to shake off the cow town image are morons like you who moved here in the past 20 years from Cali, back east etc. It was better before you all came here, tore down Mile High, and started showing up to Bronco games in your Patriots jerseys. What fan is going to sit in the rain with a stadium full of San Diego transplants and a score of 30-3 in the 3rd quarter? Nobody, in any city!
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Submitted By: Brent Zimmerman
posted on 10/10/2007 @ 12:02:48 PM
Rated Blog Entry
I think Bill raises some great points. Many Broncos fans are still waiting for the return of their Saviour (as John Elway was surely the first one), but they won't accept that it takes years to build a team. How many QB's have they gone thru lately, and how much longer will Cutler be around? They could learn some things from a team like the Indianpolis Colts -- it took Tony Dungy several years to build a championship team with Peyton Manning, but the fans and team stuck with them until it happened. It sickens me how many so-called "fans" in Denver will boo their own Broncos, walk out of the game, and not give the Rockies a bit of attention until all of a sudden they're in the playoffs. Does anyone realize we also have a Denver Nuggets team that has made the playoffs for the last 4 years in a row now -- that's more than I can say for the Broncos or Rockies. Oh, I forgot, basketball is stupid if you live in Denver...
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Submitted By: richard mccarthy
posted on 10/9/2007 @ 10:22:54 PM
(Not Rated)
george, we are not getting on the fans that stayed on that rainy, windy day, how do you think it is back east? you are right 75% of the "fans" left that day and BEFORE the 4th quarter. And no true fan boo's their own team no matter how bad they are doing. Much props to Brian, he seems to be one of the only true fans, george give him your tickets, then that way at least a true fan can put them to use.
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Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 10/9/2007 @ 2:44:11 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Only 12 more years, Brian? You lucky dog! I think I'm looking at at least 20! Don't you guess that'll upset some folks? (Joe? George?) Me, a bandwagon-jumping, vomit-spewing, east-coaster with the power to make people dumber! (Don't you have to be dumb already in order to become "dumber?") I hope to have my season tickets by, oh, 2025 or so. So long as I'm not killed by some "real" Broncos fan because I got on him for not supporting his team when they're down. Wouldn't that be ironic? Go Broncos!
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Submitted By: Sarah Paige
posted on 10/9/2007 @ 2:11:22 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Lose by a mile, I still don't agree with booing our team. It's tacky. True fans are true fans through the good, the bad, and the extremely ugly (AKA last Sunday).
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Showing 1-10 of 19 comments
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Bill Prather

Arvada , CO

Bill Prather has posted 86 blog entries and 331 comments since joining on 7/15/2006. Bill Prather 's average blog rating is 4.46.
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