Denver Broncos Ready For Opening Weekend

The Broncos will hold a "Back to Football" Pep Rally on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Skyline Park in Denver (16th & Arapahoe). The pep rally will include food and drink specials, activities for kids, a live band and ticket and merchandise giveaways. Broncos players, cheerleaders, alumni and mascots (Miles and Thunder) also will be present to take photos and sign autographs.

• Alumni scheduled to appear from 5-6:30 p.m. include Mark Johnson, Vance Johnson, Billy Thompson and Ebenezer Ekuban.
• Broncos players scheduled to appear from 6:30-8 p.m. include tight end Joel Dreessen, linebacker Joe Mays, running back Willis McGahee, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and linebacker Wesley Woodyard.

The Broncos are asking downtown businesses to encourage their employees to join in the Friday pep rally to celebrate the return of NFL football and gear up for the game. Additionally, the Broncos and the NFL want their fans to tell them how they are celebrating "Back to Football Friday" in order to win prizes.

The winning offices could win United Club tickets for the home opener and visits from Broncos celebrities, courtesy of Einstein Bros. Bagels (www.DenverBroncos.com/BacktoFootball) and registered schools are in the running for a $10,000 NFL Play 60 grant from the NFL (www.NFLRush.com/BacktoFootball). Fans can also enter for a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans by visiting www.NFL.com/backtofootball.

GAMEDAY ACTIVITIES

The Denver Broncos will be wearing their home orange jerseys during Sunday's game against the Steelers and the organization is encouraging all fans to wear orange to the game. Those attending the game will receive an orange rally towel, courtesy of gameday sponsor Bud Light. Fans are encouraged to get to their seats early as the Broncos FanCam (presented by U.S. Bank) will take a 360 degree HD image 10 minutes before kickoff and game attendees can find themselves at the game and share it on Facebook, Twitter or e-mail.

The brand new Mile High Mountain Village presented by Bud Light will open at 2:30 p.m. Replacing the Broncos Barn, the Mile High Mountain Village is free and open to all fans with a game ticket. The main entrance is located at Gate 4 and the area will feature flat-screen TVs, food and Bud Light specials, appearances by cheerleaders, alumni and Miles the Mascot, a DJ, facepainters, caricatures and much more. The first 200 people through the gate will receive a one-day ski pass to Winter Park or Steamboat for the 2012/2013 ski season. The Mile High Mountain Village will be open for the remainder of the season beginning at 10:30 a.m. for all day games and 2:30 p.m. for all night games.

Sunday's in-game activities will include the recognition of a dozen Colorado athletes who competed in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Centennial resident and Regis Jesuit High School student Missy Franklin will serve as an honorary captain and accompany the rest of the Broncos' captains to midfield for the pregame coin toss.

The National Anthem will be followed by a flyover conducted by the 120th Fighter Squadron Redeyes from Buckley Air Force Base.

GAMEDAY ADVISORIES

With Sunday's game sold out and roadways around the stadium expected to be extremely busy throughout the day, fans are strongly encouraged to arrive as early as possible and ensure they have their transportation and parking needs planned out in advance.

Parking at the stadium is expected to sell out by 2 p.m. Fans without a parking permit should consider using public transportation, including the Light Rail or RTD BroncosRide (www.rtd-denver.com). Overflow parking is located on the east side if I-25 at the Auraria Campus and Pepsi Center facilities. Parking in the neighborhoods is strictly prohibited and may result in your vehicle being ticketed and towed.

Sports Authority Field at Mile High wants to remind all fans that metal detector screening and a search of all bags will take place prior to entering the stadium. Below are a few tips to help expedite the security screening process:

• Arrive at the gates no less than 45 minutes prior to kickoff.
• Remove all metal objects from your pockets prior to being screened, including cell phones, keys and wallets.
• Express lanes are available for fans that are not carrying bags.
• A full list of prohibited items can be found on the Sports Authority Field at Mile High website.

Fans are also reminded to RESPECT one another and do their part to make the gameday experience enjoyable for all. Poor fan behavior will not be tolerated and may result in fans being ejected from the game, including loss of ticket privileges for future games.

GO BRONCOS!