FanPost

In Defense of Sports Authority Field at Mile High Fans

A consistent and significant theme that I hear from people and read in comments is how the new stadium never matches up to the energy of Mile High Stadium. Repeatedly comments from various locations and individuals in person talk about how it just isn't the same. These people are all correct.

I have been lucky enough to be the son of a Season Ticket holder who received his tickets from his Uncle who took a chance on the expansion Broncos. We have sat on the 40 yard line behind the visiting team since I can remember. I still have vague images of my first game ever at the age of 5 with my dad and grandfather. Most of the memories involve walking back to my grandfather's Lincoln after the game, but I remember the game was LOUD.

As I grew up and was lucky enough to go to 2-4 games every year I learned that it was my job as a fan to be part of that noise. I learned stomping, clapping, and screaming were requirements that I had to meet by being at the game. I took pride in going to School on Monday's barely able to speak because *I* was part of the thunder of Mile High.

When I learned that we would be providing the Broncos a new Stadium I was actually excited for a variety of reasons. The reality of Mile High that most people seem to enjoy glossing over was that it was in poor condition overall. Even with amazing efforts by the staff who work every Sunday to provide us a great experience it smelled poorly, had cracks and leaks in strange places, was very challenging to move around in, and had concessions that made you avoid them unless you really were desperate.

This was the reality of Mile High Stadium. It was that uncle who was amazing and fun and wonderful...who really was an abusive alcoholic who cheated on your aunt and hid it behind the "fun" that we all remember as kids. The crowd WAS energetic and supportive. That part always was wonderful and made the live sports portion of the even great. Even with that we usually would head up to the top at about the 2 minute warning because if we didn't we would be stuck in the stadium for an hour after the game slowly waiting for people to move to let us out smelling whatever that mix that created the horrid smell was.

Sports Authority Field at Mile High fixed the major issues that Mile High had. You can get in and out easily. The food and drink options are glorious. The awful smell is gone! When I have taken my children there are things to keep them entertained leading up to the game so that I can sit there and cheer for my Broncos as is my requirement. Going to the restroom is not an adventure in avoiding large lakes of fluid caused by the stadium. The fans still need some work on that part, but it is an improvement!

Sports Authority Field at Mile High does other things that Mile High never could. It has great screens to let me see the replays clearly and shares important bits of information from other games. When I do have to leave my seat the large clear screens let me keep watching/listening to the game if I don't make it back as quickly as I need to. Since I now have children this feature is one of my favorite by far as I am able to meet their needs without the "Just sit down and wait" that I remember from my youth as missing the game was NOT going to happen to my dad.

Now, the key point, the crowd. It's still LOUD. The fans absolutely can bring it just like they did at Mile High Stadium. The only thing that has changed is the perception of that. My main point of defense is my son's. Both of them have repeatedly said that it is so LOUD they want to have earplugs. The reality is that the Stadium changed, but the fans didn't.

Another change I hear often is that there are so many fans of other teams every game. Are there fans of other teams there? Yes, every game has them. This happened at Mile High Stadium too. Sunday night I sat next to two very nice fans of the Colts who where very polite and cheered their team as they should. I have never been to a Broncos game where I didn't see fans cheering for the other team. When someone says that Mile High Stadium never had so many fans of other teams I consistently ask "How many games did you make it to?" Most of the time "I went to a lot!" is the answer. I just have to follow up with "And how many times did you see a Broncos fan giving a fan from the other team some flack?" That always kicks off memories of what some fans would do to the other teams fans at the old stadium. Which leads to, "Oh, yeah, there were always fans there." I have also been that fan at other stadiums and I never feel alone as I always will see quite a few Broncos Fans proudly wearing orange and cheering their team.

I am further honored that the people who sit around my seats are the same ones we sat with at Mile High Stadium. These are my football family. We are LOUD and PROUD. There are two seats that do have rotating people in them, and I have never seen the fans who buy them just sit there. They are LOUD and PROUD too.

Does Sports Authority Field and Mile High have more luxury boxes? Yup! Does it have more amenities? Heck yes it does! Does it have the same fans who continue to bring the Thunder? YES IT DOES! The fact is the Broncos moved and we moved with them. We as fans did not change we have just been provided a wonderful new place to cheer on our team. While eating a delicious beef sandwich with some awesome chips and a excellent lager.

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