Main: Toast of the Town
Top Ten: Mile High Moments
Faces: Orange-and-blue memories
Concerts: What dreams are made of
Memories: Former Broncos share memorable moments Pat Bowlen: Though he tore down Mile High, fond memories remain
Numbers: Mile High through the years

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

Forums: Reminisce with other Broncos fans
Vote: What Mile High moment is your favorite?
Thinking back: Readers remember Mile High Stadium

Fans from near and far join together to witness more than just a game

By Joe Garner
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer

Every ticket told a story of pride in the Denver Broncos.

Since 1960, Gil Trujillo of Denver has sat in the South Stands, missing maybe six games.

"I may be turning blue because it's so cold and they're losing, but I'll never leave early," Trujillo, 70, said Saturday as fans rocked Mile High Stadium in the regular season for one last time.

Since 1969, Derell Younger, 61, of Commerce City has been a season-ticket holder. He and his brothers bought 35 tickets, but he now has only eight.

Since his birth, Thomas Duncan said, he's been a Broncos fan.

"Because of my folks," Duncan, 28, explained while trying to score a ticket for himself after the game was under way. "We're not season-ticket holders. We're more spontaneous people.

"I got tickets for Mom and Dad. That's the important thing," he said, wandering away in search of an elusive single ticket.

The game was a blowout for the Broncos. It was auld lang syne for the happy days when the team ruled. It was a sweet and mellow valedictory.

After the game and the post-game celebration ended, the sound system blared, "We are family." Fireworks blossomed in the December sky. Fans felt good, smiling and hugging as if they really were family leaving their home.

"I grew up coming to Broncos games," said Dixon Shay, 29, who came home from Washington for the holidays and to attend Saturday's game.

Just like old times, Shay was with his friend, Brett Julander, 29, of Denver.

"We've been coming together to games for 25 years," Julander said.

"I feel great. Everyone loves the team," Shay said. "It's perfect — all the memories."

Some fans scoured the stands for ticket stubs, programs, anything to take home. Fans who had become friends after sitting together season after season hugged and traded holiday greetings. Others snapped photos of themselves with the new stadium looming over the old Mile High.

Gary Brown and David Sessions, both 22 and both Broncos fans from Argyle, Texas, flew in Friday for the game, their second at Mile High.

They bought their ticket for the South Stands three months ago from a broker. They're proud to be Broncos fans in Dallas Cowboys territory.

They shot three rolls of film. One of the last shots was a photo of them with the scoreboard behind them in the distance. One message flashing on the scoreboard read: "Thank you Bronco fans! You are Mile High Stadium."

"We knew we wanted to soak up Mile High Stadium for one last time," Sessions said.

December 24, 2000