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Good morning and Happy post-Father's Day, Broncos Country!
Since it's a non-football Sunday (and now a Monday), I'm going to cheat this morning and pull an excerpt from our Father's Day post last year in which many staff writers reflected on how their dads influenced their Broncos' fandom. If you don't remember it, it's definitely worth the re-read!
For many of us - including me - our fathers were our first introduction to football ... and if we were lucky, the Broncos.
My dad introduced me to football, took me to my first #Broncos game & has always been my inspiration. #FathersDay pic.twitter.com/5T34OINjsX
— L.Lattimore-Volkmann (@docllv) June 21, 2015
I don't remember the first time I watched a Broncos game with my dad because it always just was.
Since the beginning of my memory, Sundays were synonymous with church, flag football and then Denver Broncos at 2 p.m. (and on the occasional 11 a.m. game, we sometimes got to get out of church early, which was an extra bonus!)
Though my dad grew up in Texas and will probably be a lifelong - although sometimes quiet - Cowboys fan, he added the Broncos to his cheering section when I was born and we moved to Colorado. As the Orange Crush emerged, my dad became a fan, and I think he even cheered more for the Broncos in the '77 Super Bowl (at least on the outside) because more than anything, he is a family man and "we" were Broncos' fans.
I loved every Sunday afternoon during football season in our living room - everyone would be yelling at the refs, analyzing the coaching calls during commercials, or going crazy when Elway would maneuver yet another come-from-behind victory.
There is absolutely no greater feeling than the raw emotion that just happens when your team makes a surprising - and usually impossible - play to win a game. (Kids being born and weddings are special and remarkable moments, but in my mind, a whole different realm.) An interception or touchdown to save the game that inspires jump-around-like-a-crazy-person kind of joy is the most awesome feeling you can't imagine until it happens.
I live for those moments, and I have my dad to thank for the fact that I (and my whole family) can appreciate those rare but awesome times.
My Dad was such a tremendous influence in my life. Happy Father's Day to all the great Dads out there!! pic.twitter.com/gJujBrdFtU
— John Elway (@johnelway) June 21, 2015
Once my younger sister was competing in a gymnastics meet in Denver that was taking way too long. So my dad decided on a whim to take me and my little brother over to Mile High Stadium where we bought overpriced tickets to sit in snow-covered seats in the South Stands.
But it was totally worth it when we watched Denver beat the Chiefs 14-13 in a fourth-quarter comeback. My sister and mom may never forgive us, but it was still a great memory (and as my dad likes to remind her, the game ended better!)
To this day, even though none of us lives in Denver, we try to get to Mile High for a family reunion game every year. And at the very least, we text each other non-stop during the games - still yelling at the refs, still analyzing the coaching decisions, and still jumping up and down together...just like when I was a kid at home.
Though I have a lot in common with my dad, and we can talk about education, politics, religion, media and history at any given moment, sports - and especially the Broncos - is always the great connector.
I love my dad for many reasons, but one of them will always be how he likes to spend Sundays.
Happy Father's Day Pops! Now let's go get another one of those trophies. pic.twitter.com/w4wzfSf866
— Klein Kubiak (@Klein_Kubiak_84) June 21, 2015
Horse Tracks - updated Monday
Danny Trevathan says recovery from reconstructive knee surgery is on track
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Richard Sherman breaks down newest LOB members - NFL.com
The Seahawks' secondary added new members to its Legion of Boom this offseason and cornerback Richard Sherman is pleased with the new faces. Find out why.
Jim Harbaugh once dressed in full pads at practice - NFL.com
Everything we hear about former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh makes us miss him more.
Janikowski on PAT rule: It will matter in cold games - NFL.com
Not many kickers are panicking over the new 33-yard extra point, but it's interesting to hear such a ho-hum response from Sebastian Janikowski.
Peyton Manning relishes another year of football camps - Daily Press
WILLIAMSBURG — At this point in Peyton Manning 's career, working football camps must be akin to knowing his playbook.
Broncos QB Peyton Manning relishes another year of football camps http://t.co/YghKaPCWrs via @T_Hamzik pic.twitter.com/KSN4gjMabD
— Daily Press Sports (@DP_Sports) June 22, 2015
For Eli, Peyton and Archie Manning, Father's Day is about family, not football | NJ.com
When Eli and Peyton have football questions, they don't go to their father. The Mannings have never worked that way.
Chris Harris Jr. thrilled for first Father’s Day
After her timely in-season arrival last October, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. is ready to celebrate his first fathers day with daughter Aria.
Leah Still getting out of the hospital on Monday | ProFootballTalk
It will come a day late, but Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still is still getting a pretty good Father's Day gift this year. Still's daughter Leah will be getting out of the hospital on Monday after she had to return for medical attention due to a complication from a stem cell transplant ...
June 21: Happy Birthday, Wade Phillips
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June 21: Happy birthday, Al Wilson
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Some Denver Broncos will need Joe DeCamillis' help to make the roster - Denver Broncos Blog - ESPN
For players on the bubble, the best way to make the team is to impress special-teams coach Joe DeCamillis.
Ty Sambrailo, Shane Ray and Karl Schmitz could start for Broncos - Denver Broncos Blog - ESPN
NFL Nation reporter Jeff Legwold assesses which rookies on the Denver Broncos could earn a starting berth this season.
Denver Broncos' Ryan Clady had ACL surgery this week - Denver Broncos Blog - ESPN
Denver Broncos left tackle Ryan Clady had surgery this week to repair a torn left ACL, which will formally begin his work for a return in 2016.
One goal, five big issues for Denver Broncos - The Denver Post
The Denver Broncos boast new style, but feature plenty of questions with Peyton Manning's age, a rookie left tackle and a possible unhappy receiver in DT.
Peyton Manning May Not Love It, but Gary Kubiak Is Good for Him | Bleacher Report
Denver Broncos news, rumors, scores, schedules, predictions, picks against the spread, free agent updates, power rankings, mock drafts and more
Ed McCaffrey and past, present Broncos host sixth annual Dare to Play Football Camp
Former Bronco Ed McCaffrey hosted his sixth annual Dare to Play Football Camp for individuals with Down Syndrome at Valor Christian High.
The Squeeze: GIF off, Tina Turner and Father's Day
A concentrated look at the Broncos' recent buzz-worthy happenings.
Jadeveon Clowney plans to return for start of camp - NFL.com
Texans coach Bill O'Brien recently said he expects Jadeveon Clowney to be ready for Week 1. Might the talented pass rusher be back on the field as early as the first day of training camp?
Rob and Rex Ryan possibly mixed up at birth - NFL.com
There could be a chance the Bills hired Rob Ryan as their head coach and not Rex. The twins' parents open up about their sons possibly being mixed up at the hospital the day they were born.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh: Bengals O better than '05 squad - NFL.com
Bengals coaching intern T.J. Houshmandzadeh concedes this year's offense can surpass the 2005 version that set many franchise records. Can the Bengals hang with the Packers and Colts?
Calvin Johnson as good as ever for Detroit Lions - NFL.com
Despite being left off the All-Pro team for the first time in four years, Calvin Johnson believes he's as good as he ever was. Is the Lions' superstar still the best receiver in the game?