Steve Larson, The Denver PostWith a record 50,583 football fans cheering, the Denver Broncos' Rich Jackson, all-league defensive end, is introduced before the game with the New York Jets Sunday, on Sept. 21 1969. Broncettes and South Stands Superfan cheerleaders line the path onto the gridiron.
Barry Staver, The Denver Post ArchiveThese Denver Broncos fans built this "Southwest Stands" along the fence at Mile High Stadium Sunday afternoon to watch the Broncos defeat the Chicago Bears 6-3 in a National Football League game, the last home game of the Denver team in the 1971 season. Each home game this year for the Broncos has been sold out with 51,200 in attendance. December 5, 1971.
Denver Bronco'a super-fan. on Sept. 30, 1985.
Denver Post ArchiveSuper Bowl XXI where the Denver Broncos met the New York Giants on January 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Giants won 39-20.
Denver Post ArchiveSuper Bowl XXI where the Denver Broncos met the New York Giants on January 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Giants won 39-20.
Denver Post ArchiveSuper Bowl XXI where the Denver Broncos met the New York Giants on Jan. 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Giants won 39-20.
Denver Post ArchiveTwo kids watch the game action over the fence outside the S. W. corner of Mile High Stadium, on Oct. 5, 1987. On the left is Jose Baeza, age 12 on the right, John Gonzales, age 13.
John Sunderland, The Denver PostThe fans rose and cheered late in fourth quarter in vocal competition with challengers in stadium, on Oct. 20, 1974. The south standers won the shouting Contest.
Karl Gehring, The Denver PostHal Hunter, of Loveland, scoped out the Broncos offense before the scrimmage Saturday, on Aug. 2 1986.
Bill Wunsch, The Denver PostDelirious Denver Bronco fans can't wait for the game to end before tearing down the south goal post in Mile High Stadium as the Broncos lead the Oakland Raiders 20-17 with 3:07 remaining in the game, on January 2, 1978. Denver had possession of the ball in north half of the field and held it until the end to win AFC championship.
Denver Post ArchiveEven though both Bronco and city officials had expressed hope that fans wouldn't tear up stadium turf, there were some who couldn't resist, and this fan seemed delighted with "live souvenir" of game, on Jan. 1, 1978.
Ira Gay Sealy, The Denver PostEarly arrivals at the Denver-Oakland football game had to work a bit to find their seats obscured by the latest Snowfall, on Oct. 11, 1969.
Steve Larson, The Denver PostDedicated Bronco fans huddle against the cold at the Denver-Oakland AFL football game on Sunday, October 11,1969. Game time temperature: 22 degrees.
Lyn Alweis, The Denver PostDon Bush was first in line for Broncos tickets with radio Earphones around Neck on Aug. 16, 1977.
Lyn Alweis, The Denver PostJay Baca, 14, was one of 400 fans who spent Christmas night waiting for chance to get Bronco tickets, on Dec, 24, 1977.
John Beard, The Denver PostIn the shade of their campers, women fix some lunch as the men talk while waiting for the Bronco football game to start, on Sept. 30,1973. Some campers arrive at the Mile High Stadium parking lot as early as 10 a.m. and stay until long after the game is over to avoid traffic tie-ups.
John Sunderland, The Denver PostDenver Broncos Fans in the East Stands, on Sept. 5, 1980.
Lyn Alweis, The Denver PostFootball fans sign a huge good-luck card for the Denver Broncos at Westland Shopping Center on Dec. 14, 1977. The card, made of plywood, is 8 feet by 10 feet weighs 300 pounds. Gov. Dick Lamm and Denver Mayor Bill McNichols added signatures to card Wednesday. The card, commissioned by a Denver radio station, will be at various shopping centers through Dec. 23 before being delivered to the team Christmas Eve, when it plays first-ever playoff game.
Denver Post ArchiveBronco Fans at London House Restaurant React as a play Starts in the super Bowl on Jan. 16 1978. They were among thousands of fans gathered in bars, private homes and apartments to watch the game Sunday.
Bill Peters, The Denver PostWhile the Broncos had their hands full with world champion Dallas Cowboys inside Mile High Stadium Saturday, Denver traffic police were taking matters into their own hands outside stadium, where illegal parking seeded to be the game plan for hundreds of Broncos fans. On West 17th Avenue on south side of the stadium police ticketed more than a score of cars and had several towed away. And to top it off, Cowboys beat Denver Broncos 21-14. August 12, 1978.
Kenn Bisio, The Denver PostDenver Broncos fans, Kellogg, far left, Gallegos enjoy food, drink at one of longest continuous Bronco parties, on Sept. 21, 1987. Some 20 couples have been coming seven to eight years.
Karl Gehring, The Denver PostBryan Brown watched television as he waited in line for tickets for next weeks football playoff game immediately after the game Sunday, on Jan. 11, 1988. The line started to form even before the game ended.
Dennis Chamberlin, The Denver PostThe top floors of Republic Plaza Building spell out Go Broncos Win 87. When you are east of downtown and look back you can see the word Broncos, this is seen from Ogden and 16th. Jan. 19, 1987.
Susan Biddle, The Denver PostLiz Ham of Greeley chatted with Marge Reed of Denver after they met in the smoking section at the Stapleton air port while waiting for a flight to the super bowl. Liz's daughter got her the orange cowboy boots at Walmart. She also wore orange hot pants and an orange sweater. Marge has been to every broncos game except 2 in the 27 years they have played. January 24, 1987.
Susan Biddle, The Denver PostJeff Jones, center, was one of the crazed fans at Jackson's hole where they watched the Bronco game, on Jan. 5, 1987
Denver Post ArchiveThe crowd along 17th St. as the bronco bus passes during the Broncos post-Super Bowl parade.
Super Bowl XXI where the Denver Broncos met the New York Giants on Jan. 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Giants won 39-20.
Karl Gehring, The Denver PostDenver Broncos fan Kristy Seidenstricker can barely hold back her tears after Shannon Sharpe gave her the ball from the first touchdown of the game against the Raiders.
David Zalubowski, The Associated PressDenver Broncos fan Tiny Martinez holds up a sign as he joins thousands of other Broncos supporters in greeting the team after its Super Bowl XXXII victory at Denver's Mile High Stadium in this Jan. 26, 1998. Once the lovable underdogs whose Super Bowl frustrations were felt from California to Cape Cod, the Broncos (13-0) are gaining popularity from a surge of success that has seen them win 18 straight games.
Steve Larson, The Denver Post
1 of 29
With a record 50,583 football fans cheering, the Denver Broncos' Rich Jackson, all-league defensive end, is introduced before the game with the New York Jets Sunday, on Sept. 21 1969. Broncettes and South Stands Superfan cheerleaders line the path onto the gridiron.
Expand
By Amy Brothers | abrothers@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Since the Denver Broncos were originally formed in 1960 they’ve had loyal fans — and we have the photographs to prove it.
Broncos fans stood on ladders and peered over fences when they couldn’t get tickets to sold-out games. They braved all kinds of Colorado weather, even shoveling snow off their seats before the game.
Four hundred Broncos fans waited outside all night on Christmas Eve in 1977 for a chance to get tickets to a postseason game. They cheered their team and its orange crush defense to the 1987 Super Bowl, where the broncos lost to the Giants 99-20.
Broncos fans have cheered their team to thick and thin.