My playoff game experience.....and a lesson.

by quinnsdad on Jan 8, 2012 9:19 PM MST

I am just as giddy as the rest of you are about the win tonight! I thought the team played inspired, sound football, overcoming a key "forward-backward pass" (whatever the hell that is) and a very untimely fumble by Willis. I thought you might enjoy a little look into how I enjoyed the game today.

We ended our cable service over a year ago and basically have no television in the house, so I went down the street to the local bar and grill to watch the game today. At 3:30 PM Dallas time, there wasn't a soul in the place. I sat down, ordered a beer and told my wife on the phone "I may be 30 minutes or 3 hours. No idea." Watched the first quarter with basically no one around except the woman behind the bar who was on her phone.

Second quarter rolls around and BAM! first TD for the Broncos! I let out a yelp and a few people came in to ask what was going on. I said "We scored a touchdown" since I was actually, you know, a little surprised. After the second score, more people came in to the bar area and sat down to watch the game. Most people were just shocked by the fact that the team was doing well. Most said things like, "I thought he couldn't throw?" or "These guys aren't bad. Why does everybody rip on them so much?" Mind you, in Dallas, there are the Cowboys and no one else, so very little info gets out here.

At halftime is when I noticed something: the bar seats were all full. And people were watching, really watching. getting drinks, etc. It was cool. By the middle of the third quarter, people were moving from their tables in the dining area to watch the game. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, standing room only. Throughout the fourth quarter, there was a commitment by the crowd to watching the game. People were mesmerized by what they were going to do next. When Willis fumbled, one guy said "That's the Broncos for ya. Its over." I chuckled. I thought "everyone else around the US is thinking the same thing."

As it went into overtime, people were on pins and needles. When they won the toss, I actually thought to myself "No matter what, this has been great for the team and the city. We DB fans needed this." The place got eerily quiet and then.....well, you know.

In a little bar and grill in Dallas, TX, an eruption of cheers broke out as if we all were in LoDo. I mean, this is Tony Romo country!!!! (well, sort of) People high-fiveing, hugging each other, screaming, just overjoyed with the way the game turned out. But most of all, it was what they said that caught me off guard. The vast majority of people were saying "Good for him. He deserves this!!" As I spoke with the people around me, they all seemed to express the same thing: if this was any other guy, he would have given up a long time ago. People are rooting for the kid. Most don't want to admit it. Many feel he's fake. He's not. Many feel he has no shot to succeed. He does. For most people, regardless of your upbringing or beliefs, Tim is who most of us want to be. In a cynical world, he is the antithesis of what we expect out of our stars, and that makes us uncomfortable because it means that we CAN be kind and gracious and personable and positive and still succeed, when so many people tell us we can't. Its a lesson I want my children to learn, and something I, myself, sometimes forget.

Ladies and gentlemen, regardless of what the media says, there are people rooting for this kids. LOTS of people. Embrace him for what he is and enjoy it. I'm not trying to be too touchy-feely, but as long as he is a member of the Broncos, fans worldwide will be watching, for all the reasons we would want them to. He makes the team relevant. He makes them work harder than this team has worked in a long time. The faces of the players on the sidelines during and after the game told the story. They get it, as should we. Before anyone goes off on his next bad performance (whenever that is), just remember he is trying to win harder than anyone else out on that field, no matter what anyone says or does. That is what I am most proud of as a Bronco fan tonight. I forgot about this, and today made me realize it.

Now, on to New England.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Comments

Awesome post

I feel the same way – there are Raider fans blowing my phone up as we speak, Niner fans too.

People WANT to root for this team – because they ARE a team. They make each other accountable, they play hard, they work harder, and they have true leaders and role models. Tebow, I believe, makes everyone on that team a better MAN, and we are reaping the benefits of it today.

I love this team. One of my favorites ever. I’m so happy for what they’ve accomplished…

by Berserker13 on Jan 8, 2012 10:04 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Thanks for giving me the pulse in TX

i live in southern california and there are more haters here than people that respect Tim.

by Lolly Tran on Jan 8, 2012 10:09 PM MST reply actions

Posts like this are why I love MHR. Thanks!

by oorange blood on Jan 8, 2012 10:11 PM MST reply actions

Good point. It was fantastic.

Tim Tebow is Denver's 2012 starting QB. I'm not even kind of sorry that offends some of you (including you Elway).

by McGeorge on Jan 9, 2012 7:40 AM MST up reply actions

Lots of haters here in College Station, TX

Although I’m more in Texan country, and they are generally friendly to the Broncos with the realization that Kubiak came from us.

Best thing about being down here? Avoiding all the Romosexuals that you guys have in Dallas

Go-Go Gadget Tebow!!!!

by Kgrone on Jan 8, 2012 10:11 PM MST reply actions

I'm in Kemah and I'm ready for Broncos vs. Texans!

Kubiak’s team is another that fans can be proud of. McNair, Wade Phillips, Kubiak, Foster, Yates, Johnson — these are all dudes worthy of a championship. This is the matchup no one expects, but I’m a contrarian.

by oorange blood on Jan 8, 2012 10:19 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs

Romosexuals?

LOL!!!

Tim Tebow is Denver's 2012 starting QB. I'm not even kind of sorry that offends some of you (including you Elway).

by McGeorge on Jan 9, 2012 7:38 AM MST up reply actions

America's team!

Great post!

I believe.

by Lost Winter on Jan 8, 2012 10:19 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

What bar did you watch the game at?

I am in the Dallas area. I watch it at a bar in Arlington. We had 6 Bronco fans and there was about 40 Steeler fans on the other side of the bar. They all looked like they just lost their puppy….lol

by bringbackatwater on Jan 8, 2012 11:07 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

First time

That I actually had the whole family in the room with me for a game (have some younger kids, and our team wasn’t televised too much out here in Philly). I had just called my Dad (east of Dallas, in fact) and started talking to him when that winning pass went off. There was whooping and hollering from us 4 – even Dad had a shout or two. Ha! Thought I’d have a much longer conversation, but WOW!

Proud of our team! My wife asked “Can we drive up to see the game next week?”

by MakeCents on Jan 8, 2012 11:07 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

nice!

My wife asked "Can we drive up to see the game next week?"

shes a keeper!

by alkatraz76 on Jan 9, 2012 12:35 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Great stuff!

I was watching with my niece. We went through the gamut of emotions during the various stages of the game. When DT crossed the goal line we were jumping up and down screaming and laughing. She and my nephews have been Broncos fans since they were old enough to watch games with the family, so that was a great moment.

Then, in the minutes after the game, I got texts from several friends, all congratulating us and telling me how they loved watching our boys and are rooting for us to shock the world over the next month. Those friends are, respectively, fans of: Chargers, Cowboys, Raiders, 49ers, Redskins, Bears, Browns, and even the Steelers!

- Nick

"Know the enemy, know yourself, and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles."
- Sun Tzu

by ncm42 on Jan 8, 2012 11:54 PM MST reply actions

When someone has high ideals then everyone seems to think they are rubbing their noses in it

I mean, if someone comes up to you ans says,“i’m a virgin and i’m proud of it.” It seems to be a natural reaction to feel like, “if he is proud of being a virgin then maybe I should feel bad for NOT being one.” That feeling makes people lash out because someone made them feel guilty, even if it wasn’t anyone’s intention.

There are plenty of haters and plenty of “admirers” everywhere. For Tebow, for Romo, for whomever.

Listen to the good comments and don’t feed the trolls.

by alkatraz76 on Jan 9, 2012 12:47 AM MST reply actions 3 recs

Well said

Good explanation as to the cause behind some of the lashing out.

Wow, this was an incredible performance from Tebow and the Broncos!!

We're gonna get together as a team and make some things happen this year.

by uziguzi on Jan 9, 2012 1:07 AM MST up reply actions

Dad o' Quinn

A great read. It happens here in Vegas too and there is no greater melting pot than this dang town.

I wear my gear out on game day and used to be amazed at being asked" so you are a Tebow fan eh?" I have to point out that my hat is from the game I saw when TD went over 2,000 yards but then agree “yes sir, am a fan of that kid. And the Broncos too.”

Quinns Dad I like the way you write and tell a story. Wish I coulda bought you a beer. Hopefully your wife was ok with you being late. I sure am.

*** The difference between stupidity and genius is genius has it's limits...
**** The best way to eliminate a bad law is to inforce it...
***** Don't follow me on twitter

by lvfan on Jan 9, 2012 12:54 AM MST reply actions

Great post, man!

These are the things I love to see and hear – but not because I want other teams to get on our bandwagon. I love hearing it because that’s what sports should be all about. Sure, if we get beat, we’re going to be upset for a couple of days and find something to point our fingers at – but the fact should be that good people and good role models need to be looked up to.

I love that Kyle Orton did well for the Chiefs. Good for him. I love the cinderella story San Francisco turned into. I’m happy for the Texans and Kubiak. I’m excited to see what the Panthers look like next year, and I’m stoked about Dalton and his Bengals. I love that LaMarr Woodley goes out and does charity work in Saginaw, MI.

At the beginning of the year, I was really rooting for the Lions, but as the season wore on, some of their indiscretions started building up. I wanted them to be a good story, but Suh and Tulloch pretty much shat on that idea by defining the Lions as “dirty” or “undisciplined.”

That’s what I’m saying, though – regardless of the X’s, O’s, and scoreboard, we have to be able to see some of the positives of football. Some of the good stories about people using this highly publicized platform to do good. It’s rare that someone so giving off the field can have so much success on the field, and it’s nice to hear that sentiment from people even if they aren’t necessarily Broncos or Tebow fans.

by H-bizzle on Jan 9, 2012 7:46 AM MST reply actions

Great Post, dude!

I was able to carry on a text chat with my son (deployed overseas) and my grandson (in Florida) while we all watched this great game.

It was like watching it together.

Like you, this game provides a great memory.

GOD BLESS and GO BRONCOS !!

I just want to see the Broncos score LOTS of points, beat the SNOT out of the opponent, and walk away with a humble "God Bless". How about you?

by 83BroncoFan on Jan 9, 2012 9:10 AM MST reply actions

Did anybody notice how the character of the team changed when Decker went down to injury?

It was like a light switch went on, a sleeping dragon awoke from a terrible dream and began to breath fire from it’s nostrils. I have never seent the intense facial expressions on offensive coordinator Mike McCoy face as they were in the second quarter. And, after Tebow’s 30 yard pass connection to Eddie Royal (who has basically been non-existent except on return duties), the expression on Tebow’s face? He took on the look of the Greek god Zues the only thing that was missing was the lightning bolts in his hands. Kinda like the biblical story of David and Goliath where David chose 5 smooth stones (receivers, TEs and runningbacks) and chose just one out of his pouch, put it in his sling and let it fly. It was incredible the roar at the stadium and for once the orange towels drowned out the yellow ones. It was like the whole stadium knew something exciting and historical was going to happen, it had happened before, but this was something extra special. Surely the stars were in alignment for the Broncos on that day and the moon shown bright over Mile HIgh once again and Tebow and the Broncos defeated the feared enemy on their own ground. Simply incredible…

Win, lose or draw, we are the Denver Broncos! 13-3 Baby!!! Until we ain't!

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Jan 9, 2012 9:49 AM MST reply actions 1 recs

it was one word...Epic

"I wouldn't call it Tebow Time I'd call it Bronco Time"- Tim Tebow

by asinsoin on Jan 9, 2012 10:25 AM MST up reply actions

Fun read. For those of us stuck in another country (not Bronco country)

the sports bar is a great place to meet other Bronco fans in the area. I have one close by that all the same group of us gather each week. If not for the Broncos we most likely would never have met.

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." James Dean

by LBB on Jan 9, 2012 10:28 AM MST reply actions

We definitely needed it. After so many years of heartache and disappointment it was a welcome relief.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Jan 9, 2012 10:39 AM MST reply actions

Did the same thing, Quinn's dad!!!

Got rid of Directv a couple of weeks ago…..listened on the internet radio the last few games. Live in the Sierra foothills in CA, and met my son up at the local bar….needless to say, we were the only two Denver fans in the place. Everyone else were either Steeler fans or rooting for them. We’d yell out every good play, especially the last one in OT. After the game, EVERYONE was saying how good the Broncos look, and that Tebow had an awesome game. No matter what happens next week, we’ve had one heck of a year, and next year should be even better! GO BRONCOS!!!!!!

by Mark Roy-Brooks on Jan 9, 2012 11:44 AM MST reply actions