Victory: Broncos 38, 49ers 9 Finale: One last salute New digs: Owens, Bowlen join ceremony to 'top out' new Broncos stadium Stories: Broncos past and present share memories Chronology: Mile High's last day Souvenirs: Fans make a play for seats Good seats: Workers, kin watch game on big TV in new stadium Voices: Qutoes from Mile High's last day Passion: Family still has first season-ticket seats Tales: 76,000 tickets — 76,000 stories Farewell cry: Tough South Stands fans say goodbye with tears
Video & audio: Broncos, fans remember Mile High Destruction: Video montage of the stadium's demolition Interactive timelines: Game day | Through the years Slideshow: Orange-and-blue memories
Proud reign: A day at Mile High Q&A: What'll happen to Mile High landmarks Gene Amole: When Bill Redd, Bears Stadium ruled Denver's sporting world Dave Krieger: Frigid night of football frozen in time, mind Bernie Lincicome: The burning question: How to say goodbye The stars: Rating the best Broncos team ever
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Broncos past and present share memories, nostalgia before final regular-season game at Mile High
By Robert SanchezDenver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
It was an autograph seeker's dream. More than 50 Broncos, past and present, gathered under a big, white tent Saturday before the final regular-season game at Mile High Stadium. They slapped backs, swapped stories and signed autographs for fans who came with calendars, footballs and Broncos clothing. Of all the notables who might have been at the game, the attention clearly was focused on these Denver sports legends who worked to make Mile High a memorable place to watch a football game. Like their fans, these men were focused on history. "A lot of the guys are really, really sad to see (Mile High) come down," said former running back Steve Sewell, whose most memorable Mile High moment came in 1986 when he threw a touchdown pass to John Elway. "You'd be surprised to see how emotional they are about it." Several greats showed up for the game, including Ring of Famers Elway, Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson, Haven Moses and Billy Thompson. Most former players were nostalgic when asked what Mile High meant to them. Others, like former guard Doug Widell, tried to put things in perspective. "Just because a stadium's coming down doesn't mean that we're losing a team or our history," said Widell, who played from 1989 to 1992. "It'd be worse if the fans decided not to come over" to the new stadium. And as Moses stood in the middle of the tent, politely shaking hands with beer-swilling fans, he said the reality of losing Mile High forever finally hit him. "Everything great I did in my career was there," Moses said. "But you can't look at this like a death; it's just a transformation. "When the lights go out and the last person leaves Mile High, the mist is going to rise off that grass and lift itself into the new stadium," he said. "Then all our spirits will be there." December 24, 2000
It was an autograph seeker's dream.
More than 50 Broncos, past and present, gathered under a big, white tent Saturday before the final regular-season game at Mile High Stadium. They slapped backs, swapped stories and signed autographs for fans who came with calendars, footballs and Broncos clothing.
Of all the notables who might have been at the game, the attention clearly was focused on these Denver sports legends who worked to make Mile High a memorable place to watch a football game.
Like their fans, these men were focused on history.
"A lot of the guys are really, really sad to see (Mile High) come down," said former running back Steve Sewell, whose most memorable Mile High moment came in 1986 when he threw a touchdown pass to John Elway. "You'd be surprised to see how emotional they are about it."
Several greats showed up for the game, including Ring of Famers Elway, Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson, Haven Moses and Billy Thompson.
Most former players were nostalgic when asked what Mile High meant to them. Others, like former guard Doug Widell, tried to put things in perspective.
"Just because a stadium's coming down doesn't mean that we're losing a team or our history," said Widell, who played from 1989 to 1992. "It'd be worse if the fans decided not to come over" to the new stadium.
And as Moses stood in the middle of the tent, politely shaking hands with beer-swilling fans, he said the reality of losing Mile High forever finally hit him.
"Everything great I did in my career was there," Moses said. "But you can't look at this like a death; it's just a transformation.
"When the lights go out and the last person leaves Mile High, the mist is going to rise off that grass and lift itself into the new stadium," he said. "Then all our spirits will be there."
December 24, 2000
