The orange-clad, sellout crowd ”” finally freed from Peyton Manning’s orders to stay quiet ”” let loose with loud, uninhibited roars. Sports Authority Field at Mile High shook from the Broncos’ logo at midfield to the last-row seat in section 535.
For the first time in 15 years, the Broncos are going to the Super Bowl. Where have you gone, John Elway?
Oh, wait a minute. Elway the five-time AFC champion quarterback is now Elway the AFC champion front-office executive. This latest trip to the NFL championship game was earned by taking the most honorable of final steps: The Broncos defeated the near dynastic New England Patriots, 26-16, on a made-for-Peyton warm Sunday afternoon in mid-January.