Heavy Heart Leads Andre Hall In Broncos Win

by John Bena on Sep 9, 2008 9:37 AM MDT in Strictly My Opinion

It has come out that Broncos RB Andre Hall played last night's game againt the Raiders with a heavy heart, finding out hours before game time that his mother had passed away.

Hall knew his mother was ill and in a Florida hospital, but her passing came as a shock. After talking it over with several members of the Broncos' coaching staff, front office and teammates in his hotel room Monday, Hall decided to play.

He led Denver rushers with 61 yards on 10 carries. Although Selvin Young started, Hall played most of the second and third quarters before Young returned in the fourth.

"I think that was huge for him to come out and play with the type of focus and intensity he did, given his situation," Young said of Hall. "I think that brings you closer together as teammates and closer to understanding what life is about. I know what that meant for me personally, and I'm pretty sure it meant a lot to a lot of other guys in there that he went out and played the way he did."

The thoughts and prayers of everyone here at MileHighReport go out to Hall and his family, and a huge MHR Salute to Hall for not only lacing them up last night, but playing at an extremely high level. Thanks Andre, now take care of your business....

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First, above all else...

…prayers to Andre and his family.

Next, I go out on a limb and stick up for the ESPN crew last night. But did we hear anything about this story last night during the game? If this had been, say, Favre’s father on a MNF game it would have been all we would have heard about. Why wasn’t this even brought up?

Thanks again ESPN. Talk about a fumble.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 9, 2008 9:53 AM MDT reply actions

You don't know that Mike, Mike, and Mike knew that, though...

Hall could have asked them to keep it a secret, or they could have just been ignorant of the situation. If you want to blame anyone, blame the producer. (did I just chastise HT?)

That being said, my prayers go out to the Hall family. He played well last night and ran with a purpose, and I’m sure that his mother would be proud of him.

I could be wrong, but I believe a Raider is an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era.

by papigrande on Sep 9, 2008 10:15 AM MDT up reply actions

I understand your point.

I’m not blaming the Mikes. The producers should have known about this. At this moment, I can’t find anything on ESPN.COM about this matter.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 9, 2008 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions

Not surprised

Given the fact that after the Broncos drubbing of the Raiders, they got 3rd (brief) billing on the postgame, after they talked about Brady at great length. They then talked more about Brady before actually showing highlights.

Not at least bringing up the situation, especially when Hall was looking so good, and sending their well wishes his way is a misstep, and disrespectful in my mind. Whether the producer, director or commentators somebody should have been on top of this. Weren’t they at the stadium all day?

My thoughts and prayers are with Andre. He gave his all to our team even as he was mourning. It takes a big man to do that.

by jonahsilas on Sep 9, 2008 10:49 AM MDT up reply actions

Hey, how do we contact the ESPN ombudsman again?

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 9, 2008 2:27 PM MDT up reply actions

Here ya go

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?id=2826900

Fire away!

by jonahsilas on Sep 9, 2008 10:53 PM MDT up reply actions

Done.

Thanks!

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 10, 2008 1:31 PM MDT up reply actions

Why should this even be an issue?

My last name is Hall, different first name, but I personally would try to keep that information away frome the lame media, just so they don’t have to feign some kind of fony concern! The fact that it happened is just the way it always does (you never want it to) but why give the media something that they will simply want to sensationallize, to influence how people view them, or the station.

by metalman5050 on Sep 9, 2008 11:30 AM MDT up reply actions

acolades to the BRONCO organization for keeping it "under wraps!"

by metalman5050 on Sep 9, 2008 11:32 AM MDT up reply actions

Actually the information was out before the game.

Bradley knew about it from (I think) Fox Sports. Given that, ESPN should have sent some kind of condolence.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 9, 2008 2:28 PM MDT up reply actions

THAT BEING A FACT, YES THEY SHOULD HAVE!

by metalman5050 on Sep 9, 2008 3:09 PM MDT up reply actions

+1

100% agreement – if Hall explicitly says he wants it out of the media, and it stays out of there, totally legit. Given that it got out, ESPN could at least acknowledge it like a humane company ought to…

by jonahsilas on Sep 9, 2008 4:54 PM MDT up reply actions

I don't know if the ESPN crew knew

And I honestly would not want that to be such a public thing, thoughts and prayers go to Hall and his family.

"How do the berries taste Ralph?" Bart Simpson
"They taste like burning." Ralph Wigam
Broncoman

by Broncoman on Sep 9, 2008 10:10 AM MDT reply actions

I agree to a point.

But if they knew, it could have been brought up with class.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 9, 2008 10:25 AM MDT up reply actions

As I said on another thread...

…I heard about Hall’s mother before the game from soneone on the tube, but can’t recall if it was ESPN or the FOX pregame show from Denver with Karl Mecklenburg. So, it was public knowledge prior to the game.

while yet unspoken, you are master of the word. After it is spoken, the word is master of you.

by bradley on Sep 9, 2008 10:38 AM MDT up reply actions

see above

by metalman5050 on Sep 9, 2008 11:35 AM MDT up reply actions

Bringing it up with class

would be the hard part, I think.

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano

by DesertBroncoFan on Sep 9, 2008 12:38 PM MDT up reply actions

With class...

“Word has come to us that Denver Running back Andre Hall is playing tonight with the knowledge that his mother passed away in Florida just a few hours ago. All of us at ESPN want to express our condolences to this young man, and wish him and his family the best”.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 9, 2008 2:30 PM MDT up reply actions

Amen

That’s all they needed to say.

while yet unspoken, you are master of the word. After it is spoken, the word is master of you.

by bradley on Sep 9, 2008 2:46 PM MDT up reply actions

Yes, that's all they needed to say

but would they be able to pull that off is what I was thinking.

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

by DesertBroncoFan on Sep 9, 2008 2:55 PM MDT up reply actions

They (the media)...

…pulled out all the stops when it was Favre’s dad. I guess Hall’s mother doesn’t rate as much respect to ESPN.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 10, 2008 1:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Condolences from Alaska to Hall and his family.

On the other hand, moldy faders stink….styg50 Sept.1, 2008

by firstfan on Sep 9, 2008 10:58 AM MDT reply actions

My condolences to Andre and his family

by MattR on Sep 9, 2008 11:11 AM MDT reply actions

Well said ^^^^

MELO!!!

by abaca15 on Sep 9, 2008 11:20 AM MDT reply actions

Andre,

although we have differen’t mothers, we share the same last name. I sincerely am sorry for your loss for I don’t know how I will handle the same issue when my 80 year old Mom leaves our family. I didn’t handle the loss of my Father very well, but my prayers are with you, as an individual, and as a hard working player on the team that I love so much! Sincere thanks, for your contibution against the faders on Mon. night!

by metalman5050 on Sep 9, 2008 11:42 AM MDT reply actions