Good morning, Broncos Country!
With 36 seconds remaining, a franchise and fan base held its collective breath.
It was fourth-and-six from the Denver Broncos 31-yard line. The Broncos were holding onto a 31-24 lead with Brett Favre driving. “Please, please do whatever it takes get this stop,” everyone not rooting for the Green Bay Packers said to themselves as Super Bowl XXXII came to a dramatic conclusion.
And then it happened.
It finally happened.
John Mobley broke up the Favre pass intended for Mark Chmura.
The rest, as they say, is history.
“Denver’s gonna win it,” Broncos radio play-by-play guy Dave Logan said. “Oh, baby, Denver’s going to win this thing. Are you kidding me? Bronco players are all over the field. You can stand up and salute in Denver, you got the world champions that live in your town.”
For the first time in five tries, the Broncos won a Super Bowl.
There is nothing in the wide world of sports like winning a championship. And that only shoots up when it’s the first. I remember that game in San Diego and how incredible it was. I can’t believe it’s been 22 years, but it feels like yesterday.
It was the greatest moment in franchise history.
“This one’s for John!”
That’s not to say the wins in Super Bowl XXXIII and Super Bowl 50 weren’t incredible or just as special, but there is nothing like your first time. The fact the Broncos have won three Lombardi Trophies is an amazing accomplishment. The fact the organization has played in eight Super Bowls is a testament to the franchise and how great it has been.
Here’s to hoping the Broncos can make their way back to the Super Bowl in the near future.
Mile High Salute to Steve Atwater
Even though the news dropped early Saturday afternoon that Steve Atwater is one of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it still doesn’t feel real.
But the video of the Broncos legend getting that knock on the door from Hall of Fame president David Baker will never get old.
“Worth the wait.”
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) February 1, 2020
The moment @SteveAtwater27 got “The Knock” from the @ProFootballHOF: pic.twitter.com/O9pSIDkXeR
I cannot begin to describe how thrilled and over the moon I am for Steve and his family. He is truly one of the best and most special people I have ever been around and called a friend. Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Steve.
Horse Tracks
'It's pretty explosive': Drew Lock previews expectations for Broncos' new-look offensive scheme
Drew Lock spoke Friday in Miami about his excitement to work with Pat Shurmur and Dr
Broncos hire Rich Hurtado as vice president of football administration
Hurtado has 15 years of experience negotiating contracts as a team executive or player agent.
John Pagano returning home to coach Broncos outside linebackers | 9news.com
Younger brother and son in the famed Pagano football family, John will bring 25 years of NFL coaching experience to Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
Broncos' Phillip Lindsay may seek pass-catching advice from Christian McCaffrey - Denver Broncos- ESPN
Lindsay may need the help from his fellow Denver native with new Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur calling the shots next season.
Shelby Harris wants to stay with Broncos, get paid - NFL.com
Broncos defensive lineman Shelby Harris is set to become a free agent this offseason. After having the best season of his career, the fourth-year veteran is hoping to cash in -- and remain in Denver.
NFL Tracks
How 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan escaped his job with the Browns via presentation - SBNation.com
Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t be in Super Bowl if he didn’t make a compelling argument that he deserved to get out of Cleveland.
The 11 best rookie performances in Super Bowl history - SBNation.com
We’ve seen quite a few young players excel on the NFL’s biggest stage over the years.
Antonio Brown -- 'I think I could have done a lot of things better'
Antonio Brown on Friday expressed remorse for a series of missteps in the past year and faulted himself for many of the issues that have kept him out of the NFL since September.
Jason Witten aims to 'exhaust' every chance to play - NFL.com
Cowboys tight end Jason Witten appears to be headed toward returning for the 2020 season, stating he wants to "exhaust every opportunity to play."
Super Bowl: What NFL isn't commemorating: 12-year ban on black players
The NFL's lack of minority coaches and executives today can be traced back to the 12 years when black players were banned from the league.
Has The NFL’s Instant Replay Run Its Course? | FiveThirtyEight
It may be time to take instant replay out of the refs’ hands.