Fans dressed in orange and blue sprinkled the far hillside, craning their necks to get a look at their favorite players at the Broncos’ training facility at Dove Valley on Thursday for the first day of training camp.
The bottom half of the hill was full, with fans bunching up against the yellow rope divider to try to get as close as they could to the team they love. The cheers and “MVP” for Von Miller were loud, and the autograph seekers were forceful.
But the crowd — a total of 3,407 fans — reached only halfway up the berm where it sat.
Sean Buckridge, who traveled from Minnesota to attend training camp for the week, has been making the trip for this reason since 1992 and has been attending since the 1970s, said that he was impressed by the crowd that turned out.
“For the first day of training camp, I think it is a pretty good turnout,” Buckridge said, shrugging. “Especially because the first day is always shirts and shorts and they aren’t doing any hitting and tackling.”
John Leyba, The Denver Post
A sparse crowd watches the Denver Broncos practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
Wednesday, Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said that last year they had more than 55,000 supporters come out and averaged more than 4,000 fans per day. But Thursday, there was more empty space than there were fans.
Perhaps it was the absence of the retired Peyton Manning. Even though there were more No. 18 jerseys in the crowd than any other, there no longer was a No. 18 on the field.
Still, the fans that showed up were excited to be there.
Although Mark Clark is a longtime Broncos fan, Thursday was his first time at training camp. Sporting an orange Manning jersey, Clark said that he was most excited to see Mark Sanchez, who he assumes will be replacing his favorite Broncos player.
“I’ve been a huge Manning fan, so I just wanted to see what the successor looked like,” Clark said. “And I’ve been pretty impressed with him so far today. He looks like he’s been pretty accurate.”
Chandler Nayman, a sophomore football player at Cherry Creek, was excited to get his eyes on the Broncos’ $114.5 million man: Von Miller.
“For a second there, I didn’t think they’d sign him,” Nayman said. “But they got him at the last second, and I’m relieved. He’s a really big leader on the team, and I think he deserves what he’s getting paid.”
The Broncos will continue camp at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) signs autographs for fans on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Corey Nelson (52) meets with his daughter Phoenix 7mos old after practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) signs autographs for fans on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (6), Paxton Lynch (12) and Trevor Siemian (13) stretch before practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak walks on the field during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
The Denver Broncos' helmets line the field at practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
A sparse crowd cheers on Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos running back Kapri Bibbs (35) catches a pass during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) looks back to signal to Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) during drills at practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) looks on during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) runs through drills during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) catches a pass during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib heads to the next drill during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
A sparse crowd watches the Denver Broncos practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos wide receiver DeVier Posey (15) reaches out for a pass during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos defensive back John Tidwell (45) russ down the sidelines during drills in practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
The offensive line stretches before practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) hands off to Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) in drills during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) pitches the football in drills during practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
The defensive line stretches before practice on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) and Denver Broncos linebacker Dekoda Watson (57) sign autographs for fans on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray (56) signs autographs for fans on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) signs autographs for fans on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
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Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) signs autographs for fans on the first day of training camp at Dove Valley on July 28, 2016.
