Broncos fans in Greeley show their spirit

Source: Greeley Tribune, Colo.mini storageJan. 18--Justyn Knapp is pretty sure there is no cooler grandma on the planet than his.It's not because of the hugs and kisses grandmas are usually good for or because she plays a mean game of Candy Crush Saga.It's because the 14-year-old gets to accompany his grandma, Judy Knapp, to the AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday.The date with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos comes complete with the opportunity to be on the field just prior to kickoff, when Justin and Judy will be part of the flag ceremony.The Knapps, who have been season ticket holders for five years, were chosen to participate in the ceremony last weekend when the Broncos played the San Diego Chargers, but high winds kept them from having the usual fanfare in which a giant flag is opened across the field and waved in conjunction with the singing of the National Anthem. So those same ticket holders will get a second shot at it this weekend when the Broncos take on the New England Patriots."She's a pretty cool grandma," said Justin, an eighth-grader at University Middle School. "She's a huge Broncos fan."Judy's husband was scheduled to be out of town this weekend, so she decided to take Justin along instead."I'm pretty excited," Judy said. "This is the first time we've won the raffle (for the right to be in the flag ceremony)."She's also a little nervous."I hope I'm on the Patriots' side of the flag," she said with a laugh. "Everyone else has to run across the field, and I'm afraid I'm going to run and fall and have to be helped up on national television. That would be pretty embarrassing."The Knapps weren't the only ones preparing Friday for the big game on Sunday.Many in Greeley were spreading the #unitedinorange feeling around town.Weld County hoisted the Broncos flag on Friday -- below the U.S., state and county flags, of course.Greeley employees had Broncos memorabilia hanging everywhere in City Hall.And Jackson Elementary School, students were encouraged to wear their迷你倉orange gear in support of the team on Friday and even gathered for a school photo in the gymnasium before school started.All across town, even for bank employees, orange was the color of the day.As the clock ticks toward a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday, being able to find orange or Broncos gear is getting harder and harder to do."We've almost sold out of Broncos merchandise," said Judy Garnhart a manager at Garretson's Sports Center. "It's been like this all season long."And, of course, Garnhart said Peyton Manning's number 18 and Eric Decker's 87 were the top sellers.Manning's connection with the Papa John's Pizza franchise has helped with Sunday pizza orders, employees at Greeley's two stores said, and they expect this Sunday to be one of their biggest yet.Other local eateries, too, have been blessed by the Broncos' success this year,"We'll be roaring the place out with Broncos noise," said Kevin Briegel, a manager at Old Chicago in Greeley. "Especially now that school is back in session. I'm imagining this place will be awesome on Sunday."Briegel said the normal happy hour pricing will be in place, but the restaurant is also offering a $10 off $25 or more carry-out special so even those who want to celebrate at home can celebrate with Old Chicago at heart.But no one will be as excited as Justin, who has to be at Mile High by 9:30 a.m. Sunday to practice."They're all pretty jealous," he said of his friends' reactions when they learned about what he gets to do. "I was in disbelief when I learned about it. I didn't know how you got to get on the field. I thought it was for the people who pay $11,000 for their tickets on the 50-yard line, not us up in the nosebleeds."And he's pretty sure he's got the final score right, too."31-24, Broncos," he said.From his mouth to God's ears. Go Broncos.Reporter Bryson Brug contributed to this report.Copyright: ___ (c)2014 the Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Colo.) Visit the Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Colo.) at .greeleytribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services文件倉