For my first Denver Bronco game in just under 10 years, I couldn't be happier!  Our team dominate from start to finish and to see 60,000 dejected Raider fans was a special experience.  My brother, who is a Raider fan, accompanied me to the game as we got there about six hours before kick off to tailgate.  This was his first game ever and my first time tailgating.  We brought no food and a thirty pack of Coors, which probably could have been a disaster if it wasn't for a single Raider fan who called himself a lurker on Silver and Black Pride.

He was the only Raider fan from that website, besides Saint, who contacted me prior to the game.  He and his wife and some friends were traveling to Oakland from Oregon in their decked out Raider decal RV and he invited me to join them in the RV area.  I figured we'd go say hello, but I didn't intend to spend the entire day there.  However, upon arrival to the ghetto ass parking lot we grabbed as much beer as we could carry and walked all the way to the RV lot on the far side of the stadium and began looking for his RV.  Let me tell you, looking for an RV with a "Just Win Baby" decal is not as easy as you'd think.  Luckily, the Oregon plates narrowed our search a little and we were able to locate him.

Never have I felt so welcomed and treated so well by a Raider fan I wasn't related too!  They were first class people and really made the day worth while.  I hope next year I'll be able to return the favor and cook some food for them and what not.  My brother and I spent the day there and I talked some smack and mainly had a good time.  I showed the Raiders more respect than I ever had for the simple reason that most of the people around there showed me more respect than I could have expected.  All in all, it was a great experience!

I didn't wear my Bronco jersey, however.  The ghetto parking lot we parked in was not the ideal place to wear Orange.  My little brother suggested I leave it in the car as he didn't want his day ruined by having to shoot someone for stabbing my ass.  The mood was completely different in the RV area though and I regretted my decision to leave my Elway jersey in the car almost instantly.  I rectified my error by paying a balloon guy five bucks to make me a Bronco balloon hat.  That was when the heckling started really.  lol

I was thoroughly drunk by the time Saint called me and left a message inviting me to meet up with him somewhere, but I didn't get the voice mail until we were heading into the stadium.  I want to thank Saint as well for making the attempt to hook up.  He is a first class dude as well!  And I don't think I could have found the place he was talking about anyway...I was lucky to find my car at that point.  I did embarrass myself a bit, falling over drunk and what not, but I can't complain. ;)

Well, that was my first tailgating experience...on to what I saw inside the stadium!

I couldn't help but smile when entering the stadium.  In the hallways and in every corridor, thousands of people were chanting "Raiders"(I chanted "Faders" at the same time since it sounded almost exactly like "faders" when you heard it) and "Broncos Suck".  I had never seen anything like it and the fans were definitely amped for Week 1.  I smiled because I felt like I knew something no one else in the stadium knew.  The 2008 Broncos were not going to be pushed around like the 2007 Broncos.  I felt the same quiet confidence that the Bronco players have displayed all through the preseason.

I told everyone around me to watch number 19.  I told them this kid is electric and is a huge threat.  I was scoffed and laughed at and I heard all about Hall and #21.  Then after the TD I heard about the "jitters" and that kind of stuff.  Of course, the big kick off return and the anticipation of the fans of the Raider offense driving down the field.  Then right in front of me the fumble and the game changed permanently into the Broncos favor.  I must admit, the Raider fans stayed rowdy and hopeful all the way until it was 24-0 in the third quarter.  That was when the place started clearing out. 

My little brother was totally disillusioned and wholly dejected and slept most of the way home.  I stopped drinking before the game, but he continued through the third quarter.  lol  This morning he decided the experience overall was enjoyable even though his team was crushed.  We met some cool people and had a good time and he too will never forget the experience of walking through the tunnel hearing the chanting of the thousands of fans.  It truly was amazing.

I also believe we had the best seats in the house.  All but one touchdown was scored at my end of the stadium and most of the drives took place there too.  The Broncos opened up the game practicing not 50 feet from where we were sitting.  And boy they looked cool and crisp in front of one of the most hostile crowds I've ever seen.  I know our Broncos are young, but they carry themselves like a seasoned veteran team...I can't wait until Sunday baby!!!

There was one sad thing about the day and that was our memory card on the camera filled up early and I don't have as many pictures as I wanted.  Next time I'll bring several cards.  lol  I think it was the video that ate up all the memory, but oh well..  We did get 65 pictures which can be seen in the following slide shows:

Tailgating Party!
Pre Game Warm-ups

I am trying to upload all the video, but that takes time.  Here is what I have so far:

A clip of me smiling at the "Bronco's Suck" chanting, with my brother chanting too...I got the last laugh though.

This video uploading takes FOREVER...more to come later in the week.  1-0 baby!