Above Mile High, Summit’s die-hard fans gear up for Sunday
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Broncos fans show their colors at Loveland Ski Area.
Courtesy of Casey Day |
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Becky Foote became a Broncos fan in the late 60s, when she worked as an x-ray tech for the team. When she's not celebrating a win, Foote works at her family's namesake business, Foote's Rest Sweet Shoppe and Eatery.
Elise Reuter / ereuter@summitdaily.com |
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Rachel, an employee at the Moose Jaw, and owner Lynda "Mama Moose" Colety, are prepared for tomorrow's Super Bowl. A die-hard Broncos fan, Colety quipped, "Manning's close to my heart... and closer to my age."
Elise Reuter / ereuter@summitdaily.com |
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Skiers celebrated a Broncos victory last week.
Courtesy of Casey Day |
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One Summit County resident, Megan Schey, wrote in with her Broncos memories:
Courtesy of Casey Day |
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"(I've) been going to games since I was eight," Schey wrote. "My mom has taught some players; my dad and uncle have even played golf with Elway a few times."
Courtesy of Jenni Hargan |
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Dillon resident Jenni Hargan shared this old photo of her, her mother and brother after the AFC championship game in 1987.
Courtesy of Jenni Hargan |
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"We are Colorado natives and die hard Broncos fan, Hargan wrote. "Also my college roommate and good friend is the granddaughter of the one and only Barrel Man Tim McKernan."
Courtesy of Carrie Fabel |
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Jenni Hargan, her mom and brother recreated their old Broncos photo two weeks ago. Hargan added her family has a tradition of buying M&Ms in each team color, and eating the corresponding colors when each team scores.
Courtesy of Kassi Plummer |
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"I cheer long and hard for my Broncos; love and support them no matter how they perform," Hargan said. "True Broncos loyalty goes way beyond winning or losing. It's more of a Colorado pride thing."
Three years removed from the team’s last appearance, diehard Broncos fans in Summit are preparing for Sunday’s game. From boasting Broncos colors on the slopes, to bringing it in the bars, several longtime locals and newcomers shared their favorite team memories.
Whether cheering on the Broncos is a family tradition, or a newfound passion, each one — from parents to bartenders to business owners — shared why they bleed orange and blue:
LYNDA “MAMA MOOSE” COLETY
Colety, owner of the Moose Jaw in Frisco for more than 40 years, is a true blue Broncos fan.
“I’m here for every game,” she said, gesturing to the bar.
Decked out in a Broncos shirt and earrings, she has already prepared signs, drink specials and the works for tomorrow’s Super Bowl. Her prediction — a Broncos win: 28-9.
“Manning’s close to my heart — and closer to my age,” she added with a laugh.
BECKY FOOTE
A fan since the late ‘60s, Becky Foote works at Foote’s Rest Sweet Shoppe and Eatery, a historic property that’s been in the family since 1941. Foote was “converted” to the Broncos after she worked as an x-ray tech for the team.
“Back in the day, we did not have the medical technology we have right now,” Foote said. “Everything was strictly x-rays and what doctors could observe. I would see injuries before some doctors did.”
She saw knee and neck injuries most frequently.
Foote and her husband are still friends with a former Broncos player, and celebrate game day with chiles rellenos.
GRANT JOHNSON
Johnson, one of few true Summit County natives, has been a Broncos fan for life. Born and raised in Breckenridge, Johnson attended Summit County High School, and moved to California only to return.
“I come from a Broncos family and most of my memories growing up involved John Elway at the helm. I remember them losing several Super Bowls before finally winning back to back championships when I was finishing high school in the late ‘90s,” Johnson said.
He hopes for a similar fate for Peyton Manning — going out on top, with a Broncos win.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that the Broncos are gonna pull it out in a close one,” Johnson said, estimating a final score of 24-20. “I think it’s gonna be a really tight game the whole way.”
KATHY WILSON
“I moved to Colorado in ’76, and that is when my love affair started,” Wilson, a Silverthorne resident, reflected.
Since then, Wilson has created several traditions around the game.
“I do make my husband wear one of my jerseys on Orange Fridays to work,” Wilson said. “I have a new superstition this year, and that is not to wear my Bronco socks. They lost their two games when I was wearing them so now it’s just pants, tops, earrings, hats and I’m good.”
Her best memory so far: winning tickets for on-field passes, and getting autographs from the team.
“I have won tickets a few times but the highlight was meeting Ed (McCaffrey)! And Dave Logan,” she added.
KASSI PLUMMER
Plummer, a Breckenridge resident, has big plans with her family for tomorrow’s game. Born and raised in California, she became a full-fledged fan after she moved out to Summit and went to a game with her husband.
“The environment and the passion everyone had sucked me in … and now we have three girls who will shout at the TV during the game (seriously biggest fans ever), and our dog, who passed, was Elway,” Plummer said.
She added her daughters will be dressed up for tomorrow’s game, complete with temporary tattoos.
MELINDA COPE
Another die-hard fan, Cope, a Breckenridge resident, was fortunate enough to win a Broncos helmet signed by running back C.J. Anderson.
“It’s going in a glass case and never going to be touched,” she joked.
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