A Million Fans Agree: 'There's No Place Like Broncos Country'
DENVER (CBS4) - Thousands of Broncos fans gathered hours before the parade even started. They cheered for anything that even resembled the Lombardi Trophy, but when the real thing arrived, it was pure pandemonium.
Super Bowl MVP Von Miller led the way on top of a fire truck next to Annabel Bowlen holding the trophy. Right behind was Peyton Manning, DeMarcus Ware and John Elway.
Along the parade route the fans say they've taken over Cam Newton's famous "dab dance."
"We wanted to take that over, so it's our dance now," a Broncos fan said.
When they arrived on the steps of the City and County Building a whole new crowd of adoring fans were waiting, and it was time to hear from the team.
After Mayor Michael Hancock and Gov. John Hickenlooper took the mic to declare Feb. 9, 2016 to be forever known as Pat Bowlen Day, Elway and head coach Gary Kubiak addressed the masses, estimated at more than a million strong, according to the mayor's office.
"This team came back from a lot of different adversities this year -- did a tremendous job, got in the playoffs, played our best football," Elway said. "And being underdogs the last two weeks against New England, going into Super Bowl 50 as an underdog just added to that. I tell you what, these players and coaches, they just answered that bell."
Elway won two Super Bowls as a player and now one as an executive. He said accomplishing it in both roles is very, very hard.
"But I tell you the most satisfying thing as being a player as well as ... being in the front office, is to be able to bring back that Lombardi Trophy to everybody out here," he said.
Kubiak talked about his journey back to Denver. He had turned down positions with several other teams, but when Elway called he answered.
"This is my football home ... this is where I got my start as a player and a coach, and to have the opportunity to come back here and to be on that bus today, driving through that parade, makes it just worth the wait," Kubiak said. "It was special to say the least.
"I can tell everybody out there that nobody played harder in the National Football League than the Denver Broncos; I'm so proud of them."
Then the chants began -- "MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Miller took the mic and repeated what he has been saying since he was declared Super Bowl 50 Most Valuable Player.
"It's great, but I didn't get here by myself, I've got great teammates -- T.J. (Ward), Aqib (Talib), Kayvon (Webster) -- all these guys helped me get to the point where I'm at today," Miller said.
Miller said in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl the whole team had great energy.
"We were so sure of our game plan, we were so sure of ourselves. We came into the game with confidence and energy and came out with the win," he said.
Miller then talked about his relationship with his mentor, DeMarcus Ware.
"DeMarcus Ware, he's the man ... he definitely influenced everyone to get where we are today."
That of course led to the defensive captain's introduction and Ware took the stage with offensive captain Peyton Manning.
As great as Ware's career has been, before this year, he had not even played in a conference championship.
"I think when you look back at all the years and all the accolades you can get as a football player, this right here symbolizes what 'team' really means," Ware said. "When we go in the stadium and the stadium is packed, there's no place like Broncos Country."
Manning many times has described this season as being unique.
"It certainly was a great finish ... we've got great teammates, we've got a great locker room -- Von Miller was talking about that the other day -- we've got a great culture in our locker room, and guys fight for each other, guys want to win for each other. I think that was evident all season long," Manning said. "So DeMarcus and I are just real fortunate to be a part of this journey with some great teammates."
