“Oh my!” A simple thank you to Dick Enberg

Good morning, Broncos Country!

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With the playoffs here, I can’t help but think about Dick Enberg.

The iconic sports broadcaster and man passed away on Dec. 21 at the age of 82. As was the case when I heard the news, sadness is the dominant emotion. But what makes me think about Enberg this weekend is the role he had in calling the greatest moments in Denver Broncos history. In this time of year, the playoffs.

As Adam Malnati and I said on the latest MHR Radio Podcast, Enberg was as much the voice of the Broncos as was longtime radio play-by-play man Larry Zimmer. Enberg called the moments etched in the minds and hearts of Broncos fans. As the unofficial “official” voice of the Broncos, Enberg also called some of the toughest moments in franchise history. In my mind, these are the major “good” ones Enberg called, but there are many, many more.

• The AFC Championship Game against the Oakland Raiders on Jan. 1, 1978.
• The Drive
• The Fumble
• Super Bowl XXXII

In terms of that magical Jan. 25, 1998, day in San Diego, Andrew Mason laid out Enberg’s call when there was no doubt John Elway finally cleared the hurdle most of us thought he never would.

“With 28 seconds left, Denver takes over on downs at the 32, and the 13-year domination of the NFC apparently has come to an end, and the man, the sentimental favorite -- the fans who didn’t care about who won this game cared that John Elway got a Super Bowl ring. They’ve reserved his spot in the Hall of Fame -- this man (Brett Favre) will probably get there too -- but Elway is a cinch to go to Canton when he is eligible.

”You know, after he lost to Jacksonville last year, he went home, and his sister called him, and he broke down crying. His kids, his four children, had never seen their dad cry before. Many of you remember when your dads cry, how important it is. It was a low moment of his great career.

”This, then, will become the highest moment: the completion of a great career, a Super Bowl championship for John Elway and the Denver Broncos!”

Mr. Enberg, thank you for giving voice to the moments as Broncos fans that we will remember and cherish forever. Thank you for the class and humility you brought to us as fans but also as a society. Thank you for doing your part to bring joy to so many strangers.

There’s only one way to fully capture all of this, with a simple yet so powerful “oh my!”

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