The first day of Training Camp used to be the start of my Football Season as a Fan. This year has been different for me because I have followed the Broncos daily since the end of last season. Thanks to MHR, I feel more informed than in years past. Draft day was always the one big attention getter, but now here we are at the start of camp. Following Training Camp on a daily basis has been an annual ritual in my house. Like most of you, I just simply want to know. But another thing happens a week after camp opens, and that is the Hall of Fame Game in Canton.

As much as I like to see the acceptance speeches and the new inductees with their Bronze Busts, I also love watching the game on the field. Of course it's more like a scrimmage game, but it's the first game of the season, and that was always cause for a celebration.  Preparation for the Canton game is always important. Being the middle of Summer, the beer needs to be extra cold. I prefer a few brats on the grill and of course my homemade world famous potato salad. If need be, send the wife shopping or loan the kids to a relative, but by all means, make sure the remote has batteries and the cable bill is paid.

Okay, now we're set!  But wait........ Now I know that some of you don't share my exuberance for a boring scrimmage game and long drawn out speeches, but this year, something different is in the air.

This year, one of the Broncos own is getting inducted. Yes, that's right, Denver Bronco Gary Zimmerman is getting inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 2nd. This has not happened much in the History of Sports. In fact, as you know, it has only happened once before that a player went into the Hall of Fame as a Denver Bronco. This fact alone should have Bronco Fans glued to the TV next Saturday; And why wouldn't it? This is monumental for the Denver Broncos. We can all share in Gary Zimmerman's enshrinement, for it is an accomplishment not only for Zimm, but for all of Broncoland and Bronco Fans everywhere.

A few weeks ago, I made some comments here on MHR, that were somewhat negative about Zimmerman being a "True Bronco". Not that he didn't deserve the honor, but that I felt the HOF has snubbed many players that have played in Denver their entire career. While Zimm played more years in Minnesota than Denver, it is clear that he has chosen Denver, as the team he wants to be associated with. Kudos for that and a personal thanks to Gary for giving the orange and blue some recognition. The fact is: I'm pretty excited about Zimmerman's induction and now happier than ever that he's going in!

"So Diehard. why the new face?"     Well, I'm going to tell you.................

Something happened these past few weeks that has given me some personal insight to Gary Zimmerman, and perhaps where his mind is about the honor of Canton. Earlier this month on July 7th, I mailed a letter to Gary Zimmerman to his home in Oregon. The letter was a congratulatory letter about his enshrinement. I also wrote about my best memory when he retired and then came back to help us win Super Bowl XXXII.  That was a big deal and I wanted him to know how the fans appreciated it. I also decided to take a shot at getting his signatures on all three TOPPS trading cards that were made of him as a Bronco.

It was a dare to say the least, and at the time I believed that I may never see those cards again.  It was worth a shot, and best of all, I believed at least he would read my letter to add to the satisfaction of a great career.

So here's the best part: Last Monday on the 21st of July, my return envelope arrived in the mail with "G.Z" on the back. I knew it was Zimm, and rushed into the house to open it. There were all three of my cards, personalized to me from Gary Zimmerman with the script "HOF 08" below his signature! Along with the cards was a message thanking me for taking the time to write to him.

So how does this happen I asked? Zimm should have been packing his bags for Canton, but instead, he took the time to find a pen and answer my request. This being just a few weeks before one of the biggest days of his life, he took the time to answer ordinary fan mail. He probably gets dozens of requests a week now with his HOF status. I thought about this, and my personal feeling was that he was actually thanking me for being here, and being a Bronco Fan. I had the sense that Zimm was happy to sign those cards and mail them back. It was about me. I wasn't an inconvenience to him.

It's strange really, I felt honored to have him reply to me, especially with the timing, and yet, he seemed to be honored by my letter and that I will always remember him for his talent and play over the years.

Certainly this is not the action of a self-centered Football Superstar. I'm thinking now that I'm proud of Gary Zimmerman and proud that he was and always will be a Bronco. Get ready, the Hall of Fame Game and inductions are next Saturday.

Thank you Gary Zimmerman!