My Top 10 Colorado Sports Events in 2018

It was another interesting year for the Colorado sports fan, with the Rockies and Avalanche having strong seasons while the Broncos did not.  For this fan who has followed Colorado sports since the 1960's, here are my top ten sports events in 2018:

Number 10: 

October 21st - Nuggets 100 Golden State 98 - Nuggets beat the defending nba champs to go 3-0 to start the season despite missing 18 free throws. A big block by Juancho Hernangomez at the buzzer preserved the win.  This early season victory was an indication of how competitive the Nuggets would be in the NBA this season (at year's end the Nuggets win/loss record was in the top 3 in the Western Conference).

Number 9:

February 4th - Going back to the previous season, the Nuggets seem to play Golden State better than most NBA teams.  On this night the Nuggets beat Golden State 115-108 in front of the largest crowd to ever watch a game at the Pepsi Center.  The defending champ Warriors were 41-11 coming into the game and the Nuggets were only the second team to beat the Warriors twice during the 2017-2018 season after this game.

Number 8:

November 18th - Broncos 23 Chargers 22.  It was another down year for the Broncos but this game was the team's biggest surprise win. The Broncos appeared headed for another loss, down 19-7 in the second half, before coming back to win in the fourth quarter.  With the Chargers being 7-2 and the 

Broncos 3-6 entering this game, few gave the Broncos a chance for a win, especially since the team hadn't won an AFC West road game since 2015.

Number 7:

November 25th - Broncos 24 Steelers 17.  The best home win for the Broncos in the 2018 season.  Building on the upset victory over the Chargers the week before, the Broncos again came from behind to beat the Steelers.  At the time this game got the team back in playoff contention. The Steelers had won 6 straight before this game so the Broncos victory was a big one.

Number 6:

August 11th - Rockies beat the Dodgers 3-2 with a 2 out 3 run homer by Ryan McMahon in the bottom of the 9th, pulling within 1 1/2 games of first place.  The Rockies and Dodgers were in a tight race all season for the National League West crown (and eventually tied for first place after the 162 game season).  This game looked hopeless as the Dodgers dominated the Rockies through 8 and 2/3rds innings before McMahon's big blow.  The game also gave an early indication of the impact McMahon could have on the Rockies in the future.  McMahon will have a much bigger role with the team in 2019 with the expected departure of DJ LeMahieu.

Number 5:

April 7th - Avalanche 5 Blues 2. It's rare in the NHL's 82 game season you will find two teams playing each other for the last playoff spot in the season's final game.  That's what happened on this night, and the home town Avs didn't disappoint with a thrilling win. Making the playoffs for the Avs was a huge accomplishment after the terrible season the team had the season before.

Number 4:

September 5th - Trevor hits 3.  Rockies shortstop Trevor Story hits 3 home runs in his first 3 at bats, including the longest home run in Coors Field history, as the Rockies beat the Giants 5-3. The win extended the team's lead for first place in the NL West.

Number 3:

April 20th - Avalanche 2 Nashville 1 in game 5 of the teams' NHL playoff series.  Trailing 1-0 with 5 minutes to go in an elimination game, the Avs score 2 goals in the the last 5 minutes for a thrilling win over the heavily favored Predators.  Andrew Hammond, the team's 3rd string goalie, had 44 saves!  “One of the most epic periods I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Kyle Keefe of Altitude TV afterwards.

Number 2:

September 8th - Colorado 33 Nebraska 28.  An extra sweet win for this longtime Colorado football fan as the Buffs spoiled the debut of the Huskers head coach Scott Frost in Lincoln. The Buffs came from behind to beat the Nebraska on 40 yard td pass from Buff QB Steven Montez to wide receiver Laviska Shenault with a minute left to the play in the game!  While the Buffs season was an overall disappointment, this win was the Buffs' best in the past 10 years.

Number 1:

October 2nd - Rockies 2 Cubs 1 in 13 innings in the National League's wildcard playoff game.  The Rockies weren't given much chance to win this one after losing their division to the Dodgers the day before.  Kyle Freeland showed he was one of baseball's best pitchers, shutting out the Cubs over 6.2 innings.  Light hitting Tony Wolters was the extra inning hero, driving in the go ahead run in the top of the 13th with a 2 out single.  Though the Rockies were to lose the next series vs the Brewers, knocking the Cubs out of the playoffs in this game was a huge surprise!

What will 2019 have in store for Colorado sports fans?  A new head coach for the Broncos?  Playoff appearances for the Avs and Nuggets?  Can the Rockies stay competitive with the Dodgers like they did in 2018?  I'll be watching and compiling my 2019 top 10 Colorado Sports Events list - check back next year at this time!

Mark Jackson at the Denver Broncos QB Club

Mark Jackson, one of the legendary Broncos "3 Amigos" wide receivers in the 1980's, entertained a standing room only crowd at our Denver Broncos Quarterback Club meeting today (shown above with club member Cheryl James).

"The 3 Amigos poster is the best selling poster in Broncos history," Jackson told us. "And I don't have one!!!"

Jackson told us a story of going to a charity event after his playing days and seeing a 3 Amigos poster up on a raffle table.  "I'll give you $100 for that poster," Mark said.  "Sorry" was the reply.  "$200, $300??" "Nope, it's a raffle item".  "OK I'll buy 100 raffle tickets at $1 each," Mark told the organizers.  Mark had to leave the meeting early.  He called former Bronco Ron Egloff, who was also at the event.  "Blue (Egloff's nickname for Jackson), some kid won the 3 Amigos poster after buying a $1 raffle ticket," Egloff told a disappointed Jackson.

This was one of many entertaining stories Jackson told the QB Club this day.  Below is a summary of some of his comments.

"I was a 6th round draft choice in 1986 by the Broncos.  I didn't think I'd get drafted.  I was a walk on at Purdue and played 5 years there.  In my early years I was known as the 'Black Rudy' (walkon who tries hard but doesn't get into a game).  But I played with Rod Woodson at Purdue. Going against Rod and other tough defensive backs every day in practice that taught me how to play against bump and run coverage.  Jim Everett was my quarterback at Purdue.  He was a good athlete and had a strong arm.  I was used to catching rockets from Everett so adjusting to Elway in Denver wasn't too tough.  Elway had much more escape-ability than Everett."

How was it playing in Cleveland and scoring the tying touchdown at the end of The Drive?

"Cleveland Municipal Stadium is one of the ugliest places on earth.  But that day I saw it as beautiful!  The Drive was just another day at the office.  John Elway at Stanford, Dave Studdard at Texas, Keith Bishop at Baylor, Steve Sewell at Oklahoma - my teammates and me had been making plays for years.  We've done it so many times it becomes routine.  So the Drive happened because of our earlier preparation."

Do you still have the ball from your final "Drive" reception?

"It was in my Mom's basement.  Then she moved.  I don't know where it is!"

Was The Drive your most memorable catch?

"No it wasn't.  When I was a rookie I scored 3 times, and all were called back by penalty.  Finally against the Bengals in a shootout between Boomer Esiason and John Elway I caught my first TD!  I leaped over Robert Jackson, the Bengals defensive back, to catch it!"

The QB Club crowd listened intently as Jackson told more and more stories from his playing days.  "When I got to my first training camp in Greeley, smelling the Monfort's air, I thought 'whose idea is this'??"

What was your toughest Super Bowl loss?

"On our first drive against the Giants in Super Bowl 21 I caught a pass on 3rd and 18 on the same pattern I had run against Cleveland during The Drive when we had 3rd and 23.  I didn't play much after that.  It was tough watching my team lose from the sidelines."

Jackson talked for 30 to 40 minutes, then greeted fans individually afterwards, signing many autographs and taking pictures.  Jackson co-hosts a talk radio show on Mile Hi Sports Radio from 7 to 9 am - the fans at the Bronco QB club are sure to tune in after listening to Jackson's many entertaining stories from his playing days.

The Denver Broncos Quarterback Club meets periodically at the Fox and Hound Sports Bar in Lone Tree.  Check out our webpage and signup for our mailing list to be informed of our future events.  We welcome all Bronco fans!