There is a growing schism in Broncos Country
“For some people the wounds of Super Bowl 48 are just too raw for any kind of celebration yet there is no denying that, aside from the thrashing the Broncos took, the 2013 season was a mostly joyous experience.”
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There is a growing schism is Broncos Country between fans that remain angry about the Broncos’ failure to show up for the Super Bowl and those that claim to stick by their team through thick and thin. The latter group see the former as “fair weather fans”, which is a biting term meant to offend. The former sees its criticism of Denver’s performance as part of what it means to be a fan.
So which group is right?
The Mayor of Denver, Michael Handcock, has pronounced today “Denver Broncos Appreciation Day” and he is asking fans to sign a digital thank you card for the team. The Mayor also produced a YouTube video heralding the 2013 season featuring the song “Love don’t die” by the Denver band the Fray. He is even having both roads at the intersection of Colfax and Broadway named “United in Orange Way”.
But are we united?
The “I stick by my team through thick and thin” crowd will doubtlessly be lathered up by the Mayor’s gesture while the fans who are still bitter about the thrashing the Broncos suffered at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks are likely to see it as too much pandering too soon.
For some people the wounds of Super Bowl 48 are just too raw for any kind of celebration yet there is no denying that, aside from the thrashing the Broncos took, the 2013 season was a mostly joyous experience. It was a ton of fun beating the Cowboys by a hair, seeing Matt Prater boot a 64 yarder and sweeping both the Raiders and the Chiefs. The Broncos slew a demon by advancing past the divisional round and another by eliminating the Patriots. It’s true that right up until the first snap of the big game almost everybody in Colorado thought the Broncos would win.
But they didn’t win.
The Broncos were beaten so soundly in all facets of Sunday’s game that cynical fans wonder if they have any shot whatsoever of getting back to, much less winning, Super Bowl 49. They are put off by Peyton Manning’s aloofness, are concerned about his cost and question his dedication to the task. They wonder if John Fox is the right man for the job and whether or not the Broncos have the defensive talent to navigate through a 2014 season that pits them against the entire NFC West.
More optimistic followers of the Broncos put their faith in the organization to make the necessary changes to get right back to the top next season. They point to a slew of injuries as a cause for Denver’s ultimate failing and stand by Peyton Manning’s competitiveness. They see those disappointed souls who would question Denver’s plan as a pox on the fan base … as “fair weather fans”.
The critical ones did not wake up this morning and install a Seahwaks snap-back atop their heads of burn their Manning jerseys, though. No Broncos fan declared that he or she will refuse to watch next season or find another team to root for. They’re simply not done venting yet. Sorting through the emotions of the worst defeat in Broncos’ history (yes, it was worse than the 55-10 drubbing by the ‘Niners) is a process for them. The Super Bowl was only five days ago, after all, and it was no ordinary loss.
Fandom is a little like a religion.
Some people are content simply to offer themselves to faith. Others ask questions and spend a lifetime trying in vain to resolve their beliefs. Both might consider themselves Christians or Muslims or Buddhists, but the ones who subscribe to the notion of “because the Bible (or Koran or Tipitaka) tells me so” often consider the questioners to be lesser religious people. Fair weather believers?
If we are to truly be “United in Orange” as Broncos fans we must allow every kind of fan to mourn in his or her own way and not be critical. Those who are angry and wish to break down the Broncos and vent should not consider those who fly their Broncos flags with pride today to be dummies and those who bleed orange and blue no matter what should not accuse others of being “fair weather fans”.
There’s room in Broncos Country for both.
It’s OK to look back on the 2013 season with pride and it’s fine to view it with disgust. Let’s all just hold hands and be united in hating the Raiders, the Chiefs and the Chargers and tip our caps to the Seahawks.
Go Broncos.
