“If you’re a true fan, then you believe in us. If you’re not, if you’re just a bandwagoner, then you’re going to believe what you want to believe. At the end of the day, we have a lot of football left. If you haven’t played this game, then you just don’t know. You’re looking on the outside. We have a lot of games left and we can still be in the playoffs and we can still make a big run for it. When we do it, I don’t want everybody jumping on the bandwagon saying I told you so.”

As a fan of the Denver Broncos, I want to go on record to say that I am a huge Phillip Lindsay supporter, love his game on the field, and appreciate how he’s positively transformed the Broncos running attack. However, last week Phillip Lindsay weighed in on problems he’s concerned about regarding the Broncos fanbase following Denver’s abysmal 3-0 start to the 2019 season. As a lifelong fan, I bristled at what he had to say. Following Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars, I feel it necessary to respond.

First off, nobody, not a player, not ownership, not other fans have the right to declare anyone a true fan over any other fan. So you invested a small fortune in memorabilia and painted your house orange, does that make you a bigger fan than someone who ran in the Broncos 7K? Is someone who sits in the nosebleeds a bigger or better fan than someone who shells out the cake to sit club level? Is your Broncos tattoo smaller than mine? What does that mean? My mother has been rooting for the Broncos since the 1970’s, but wouldn’t know Phillip Lindsay if he came in and handed her a business card, does that make her less of a fan?

It’s crazy.

I take issue with Lindsay dividing fans as ‘true’ and ‘bandwagoner’ fans. It would appear that he defines voicing dissatisfaction with the Broncos winless start to the season as a hallmark of ‘bandwagon’ fans. If you don’t dig field goals over touchdowns, you’re not a true fan. Aren’t hip to Leonard Fournette ripping off 225 yards? You’re not a real fan. I get the benefits of staying positive, but the reality is that this year’s Broncos are already a deep disappointment. It’s hard to put a smile on your face when the losses pile up, but, thankfully, that’s not a requirement of being a fan. The truth is, there are few resources more precious in life than time or money and, frankly, anyone who devotes either to the Denver Broncos, in good times or bad, is a fan.

Period.

It’s true, the vast majority of fans have never played the game. However, the outrageous claim that we don’t know what we are talking about when we are dissatisfied over an 0-4 start, is total crap. Whether it’s in business, love, or football, the stench of losing is universal. It sucks for the players. It sucks for the fans. Losing sucks.

To be a Broncos fan is to have expectations. Players, coaches, executives, and owners may come and go, but it’s the fans who are the standard-bearers of the franchise. Over the last few years, fans have watched as sacred records were slaughtered at the hands of the team who had traditionally protected them. Back-to-back(to back?) losing seasons, the end of the shutout streak that dated back to 1992, Pat Bowlen’s Super Bowl appearances outnumbering losing seasons, these long-revered cornerstones of Broncos fandom are now gone... and yet the fans still show up, still buy gear, and still love their Denver Broncos.

These are the fathers that tell stories of The Drive, The Fumble, the Helicopter, and Von Miller’s strip sack to their sons and daughters. They are the ones who scrape together the money to buy tickets. These are the fans who go to away games and enthusiastically endure abuse in hostile environments because they love their Broncos. So long as folks cheer for Denver on gameday, what difference does it make what kind of fan they are?

So when players claim that critical fans are less than or don’t understand the game of football, I call BS. Players should take comfort in the criticism, because it shows that fans still give a damn. My advice to the players is to care more about what they’re doing on the field and less about who is and who isn’t a real fan. When you’re winless in October, what the fans think should be the least of your worries.

HORSE TRACKS

Broncos hope to spark momentum as they prepare for a Chargers team that knows their struggle
As the Broncos hope to dig their way out of an 0-4 start to the season, they can look to the Chargers' 2017 season as an example of how to move past early disappointment.

Fangio Showers Broncos' Rookies Risner & Fant With Praise, Hints At A Big Future
Dalton Risner has been a revelation for the Broncos, while Noah Fant has become a weapon.

John Elway Believes 0-4 Broncos 'Are On The Rise' And Therein Lies A Big Problem
Despite being 0-4, John Elway believes the Broncos are on the rise. Is the GM delusional?

Denver Broncos’ Bradley Chubb so upbeat he insists he actually welcomes torn ACL - Chicago Tribune
Bradley Chubb is so upbeat about emerging as a better person and player from his torn knee ligament that he said he truly welcomes this season-ending injury.

Should the Broncos listen to offers for Von Miller and other veterans? – ProFootballTalk
As the Broncos rocket toward three straight losing seasons for the first time since 1970-72, it could be time to consider building for the future. In other words, it could be time to tank.

Chiefs' Tyreek Hill (collarbone) limited at practice - NFL.com
Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill was injured in Week 1 against the Jaguars, but is set to return to practice today, coach Andy Reid told the media on Wednesday.

Derek Carr - Vontaze Burfict's 'heart is broken' over suspension
The Raiders came to Vontaze Burfict's defense Wednesday, with coach Jon Gruden saying he expressed his displeasure with the NFL and Derek Carr providing an impassioned defense of his teammate.

Jon Gruden 'didn't want to trade' Khalil Mack to Bears, All-Pro ready to make Raiders 'pay for it' in Week 5 - CBSSports.com
Jon Gruden 'didn't want to trade' Khalil Mack to Bears, All-Pro ready to make Raiders 'pay for it' in Week 5

Golden Tate disputes Percy Harvin’s account of Super Bowl week fight – ProFootballTalk
Golden Tate thinks Percy Harvin is fake news. On the same day that Harvin's account of a Super Bowl week fight with Tate emerged, Tate disputed it.

Patriots also work out Elliott Fry, Blair Walsh, Matthew Wright – ProFootballTalk
The Patriots held a kicking competition with free agent kickers Wednesday. Not only did Kai Forbath and Mike Nugent workout for New England, but so did Elliott Fry, Blair Walsh and Matthew Wright, Howard Balzer reports. The Bears cut Fry on Aug.

Will Smith to be inducted into Saints Ring of Honor - NFL.com
The New Orleans Saints have announced that former defensive end Will Smith will be inducted posthumously into the club's Ring of Honor during halftime at Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

Saquon Barkley running after injury, unlikely to play Sunday
Giants coach Pat Shurmur wouldn't rule out Saquon Barkley, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 3, for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Said Shurmur: "I don't know yet."

Bill Bidwill, owner of NFL's Arizona Cardinals, dies at age 88
William V. Bidwill, who owned the NFL's Cardinals franchise in three cities, has died. He was 88.

Los Angeles Rams LB Bryce Hager ruled out vs. Seattle Seahawks with shoulder injury
Rams starting inside linebacker Bryce Hager has been ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Seahawks because of a shoulder injury. Safety Taylor Rapp is doubtful with an ankle injury.

Jaguars looking to cash in on Gardner Minshew mania
The Jaguars are offering a bandana and fake mustache to fans who buy a Minshew mania package.

Kirk Cousins apologizes for not throwing the ball to Adam Thielen in Vikings' loss to Bears - CBSSports.com
Thielen criticized the Vikings' offense after the team scored six points in its Week 4 loss

Jalen Ramsey trade rumors: All-Pro absent from Jaguars practice again with back injury, driving reports of standoff - CBSSports.com
Jalen Ramsey trade rumors: All-Pro cornerback absent from practice again with back injury

Bears' Roquan Smith returns to practice, 'focused on moving forward' and will play vs. Raiders in London - CBSSports.com
Bears Roquan Smith returns to practice, 'focused on moving forward' and will play vs. Raiders in London

Patriots' Stephen Gostkowski sidelined for remainder of 2019 season due to hip injury - CBSSports.com
Gostkowski has struggled so far this season

NFL Week 5 injuries: Key Steelers, Davante Adams, Chris Godwin, Mitchell Trubisky among those to miss practice - CBSSports.com
We've got you covered with a look at all the big names who could be sidelined around the league

Stefon Diggs' absence from practice listed as not injury related, leading to speculation about a potential trade - CBSSports.com
Is Minnesota just mad at the receiver for speaking out or is he on the verge of being traded?