There weren’t any Suzy Q’s in sight, and quarterback John Dutton’s vintage 1969 Cadillac was home in the garage.
A couple of trinkets from the regular season weren’t present Thursday evening when the Colorado Crush was honored in a special celebration outside of Elway’s restaurant in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
But it didn’t matter because there was a new item – the ArenaBowl championship trophy – that more than took the place of Crush coach Mike Dailey’s celebration food after his team won the Central Division title. And Dutton’s Cadillac was replaced by an Army Hemtt (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck), used to transport heavy equipment.
“That isn’t my style of vehicle,” Dutton said when asked if he might trade the Cadillac for the more spacious Hemtt. “I have all the admiration for the guys who use it, but it’s not for me.”
But the end of the ride around the west end of the shopping center to an awaiting crowd of fans made it a chariot for the Crush, who on Sunday beat the Georgia Force 51-48 in Las Vegas to win ArenaBowl XIX.
The crowd was big and noisy. Dailey thanked the fans for their support at the Pepsi Center as well as in Las Vegas.
“We are 15-3 in the Pepsi Center over the last two years because of you guys,” Dailey said to the fans. “You were the difference for us in Las Vegas, and now we’re looking forward to winning it a second time.”
Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper delivered proclamations. Hickelooper said all the spoils from the victory had not arrived as yet. He said he won a bet with the mayor of Atlanta and won 12 Georgia peach tree saplings that will arrive in the next few days.
“I’ve been waiting for a while,” Hickenlooper said, adding that previous mayor Wellington Webb had Super Bowl (Broncos) and Stanley Cup (Avalanche) championships during his watch. “Now I have a championship.”
“I proclaim June 16, 2005, as Colorado Crush Day,” Owens said. “The Crush has joined the annals of Colorado sports history.”
It was a rough journey for several Crush players and assistant coach Lee Johnson.
Defensive specialist Rashad Floyd underwent surgery Wednesday on his left wrist, correcting an injury he played with all season. Johnson underwent surgery Thursday on his knee that was injured during the postgame celebration Sunday. Defensive specialist Delvin Hughley is scheduled for surgery today on an injured thumb.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
