I Had a Fever, Just Never Broncos Fever

For much of the month of January I was down for the count with a flu/sinus infection. My fever went as high as 101.1 - which considering I usually hover around 97.1 that was kind of a big deal. If I had paid anything for my flu shot, I would have asked for a refund. Stupid sickness, ain't nobody got time for that!

While I did not choose to be physically sick, I could have chosen to catch "Broncos Fever." 

I am still trying to figure out Denver as a "Sports Town." Granted, I spent much of my life to date in two of the toughest sports towns in the country; so my outlook is a bit skewed. First, there was Philadelphia, hello they booed Santa Claus, and next came Chicago. While my "sports" heart still remains in the Windy City; even I can say, damn! The fans and media have high expectations for our teams, and heaven help those players and coaches if those expectations are not met. The irony there on the baseball front is one would think years of losing baseball on the North-side would have prepared people, but still they have this unfounded hope that the Cubs will have a consistent ability to win. 

In spite of all the years I lived in Chicago or Philadelphia, I was never actually technically living there to experience the thrill and excitement around a team making a run for the Championship. While I celebrated from a distance the White Sox and Phillies winning the World Series, and the Bears going to the Super Bowl; it was just not the same.

So from that standpoint, I enjoyed the emotional high that Denver was riding with the Broncos, to a point. I will admit that I tired of hearing analysts make the same point, even if perhaps they used different words every now and again. With a two week hiatus between the Conference championships and the Super Bowl there was not an aspect of the game that was dissected ad nauseam (except perhaps the actual outcome - which I assure you no one actually foresaw). While I understand this fact is not unique to this Super Bowl, it was further exacerbated by the additional coverage on the local Denver stations.

I have a friend who graduated from the University of Tennessee, and so he had a connection to Peyton when he became a Bronco. So Brian started rooting for the Broncos in addition to the Buffalo Bills - honestly, he is the only Bills fan I have ever met in my life. He also roots for the Phillies and the Washington Capitals in hockey. He trumps me in terms of suspect allegiances. So what is my point? I asked him a few weeks ago whether he will continue to root for the Broncos once Peyton retires? His answer, yes; as he now feels as though he has expended enough emotional energy that he plans continue to root for the Broncos. Finally! Someone understands my feeling of emotional energy and the toll it can take on a sports addict.

Thus far 2014 has not been my best year, and I have been feeling down in the dumps quite a bit. I found myself wondering, aside from Brian's affirmation, whether there really was any credence to my theory of emotional sports energy. And if there is, did I lose it somewhere along the way? Well, last Sunday morning I watched the second half (and subsequent overtime) of the Duke-Syracuse game. I knew the outcome because I had forgotten that I had set the recording earlier in the week. I KNEW THE OUTCOME is the key to that statement, not my forgetfulness. In spite of this fact, I still found myself energized by Duke's play against the second ranked team in the country. This iteration of the Duke basketball team has been hard to watch at times, although Jabari Parker sure is fun while he stays, but man did the Blue Devils ever come to play that night in the Carrier Dome, no less! This is Syracuse's first year as part of the ACC, and I trust that this rivalry is going to be fun to watch for years to come. 

So fear not my faithful readers and fellow sports addicts. I still "got the passion" - it just went into hibernation along with my energy level. Stupid flu. I honestly think that the disappointing end to the Bears season, combined with my frustration at the ridiculous contract that Jay Cutler was given really took the football life out of me. Then I took on two "bandwagon playoff teams" (Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts), and when they each lost there went this season of football for me.

In an effort not to get kicked out of the City of Denver, as I do love living here, I want to be clear that I was rooting for the Broncos. I truly wanted them to win. I just could not yell and scream at the TV with legitimacy. I assure you though, Danny took care of that for the both of us. Poor Spike was terrified for much of that evening. I even tried to comfort Danny in his time of sorrow, until the jerk reminded me that the Manning-led Colts beat my Bears for the Super Bowl. No more sympathy after that seeing as how my Bears' players were minding their own business from the comfort of their own homes.

So on the Monday following the unexpected outcome of the Super Bowl, I got to witness the Mile High City grieve. This is perhaps best captured by my dear friend who works for the History Colorado Museum...

Fear not, Denver, pitchers and catchers reported today for the start of Spring Training. Perhaps the Rockies will surprise us all!