Not Every Tradition Endures

About this...



The Broncos are back in the Super Bowl and I'm excited.  It isn't the same, but it's fun.  It isn't the same because something is missing and you can never duplicate a first-time win.  The awe of it and the wonder is different.  Mostly, my dad isn't here to watch anymore, and that stinks.  Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of wonderful people to watch with, and I will have a blast.  

We watched Super Bowl 32 at my parents' home in January of 1998.  I remember refusing to consider watching it without him.  We didn't miss those games and we celebrated together.  We had too long a history with the Denver Broncos and games in general overall to do anything else.

We went to baseball games when I was five and never left early.  I had a strict no-leaving-early policy and it had absolutely no bend to it.  

I remember going out to dinner and dad bringing his radio to listen to the game (it was never on TV in Virginia).  I remember peanuts, hot dogs, and game programs (I used to save them from every game). We hit the jackpot with Bronco season tickets when we moved to Colorado.   I mean, this stuff goes deep. 

We went to UVa games when they were terrible and watched them become something.  He let me buy one of those annoying horns people blow at games with the promise that I not blow it unless UVa scored.  He finally relented when UVa blocked an extra point in a 55-0 defeat at the hands of hated Clemson.  I got to blow my horn during one of the most embarrassing losses in UVa history!

We were there for the first victory over Clemson in school history (link is on the side) and I can still hear the screams when UVa broke a punt return that broke the game open and removed the doubt.  We watched at home, we watched with friends, but we watched no matter what.

But, although we liked other teams, we LOVED the Broncos.  I remember being upset I had to miss a particularly famous game (on television... we still lived in Virginia) to attend basketball practice and coming home to dad beaming about this...



We were at Mile High when Elway won an AFC title game and we were there when he beat Houston in 1992 in one of the most dramatic wins I've ever seen.  He used to remind me how lucky we were to watch a quarterback like John Elway.  We got there early every week to watch him warm up.  

It's hard to explain what it's like to lose your entire mind at a stadium with someone.  It is a blast.

Jacob isn't interested.  Not really interested at all.  In fact, he gets bored even though Denver shattered the record for points scored in a season and registered the most exciting offense I have ever seen.  There are times when that fact really stinks.  But, there are more occasions when it does not, and I think he and I are the better for it.  We did share one fantastic moment when Tim Tebow won a playoff game in overtime, but that required bribes of ice cream and soda.  He enjoyed it, but didn't seem to need that again.

Jacob likes Tae Kwon Do.  He loves it.  We do it together.  We are learning together and working together.  It may not be the same, but it is ours and it is special.  We don't lose our minds together, but I can't wait until he gets his next belt so he can unleash that smile and I can show him how proud it makes me.  Really, my dad and I did that through a different medium. 

Meanwhile, I read League of Denial, which chipped away at the game for me.  I find myself very happy Jacob is not interested.  I won't have to sweat him getting hurt or using his wonderful brain for ball-advancement.  I hated when my dad tried to talk me out of playing football, but I will do that, too, now.  I just can't explain how precious his brain is to me.  I understand better now. 

My expectation of football with Jacob took the form of an entitlement, and that was my fault and led to some initial disappointment.  Somehow, this has all worked better, and it worked perfectly despite my best efforts.  I get to watch the Broncos with less zeal and certainly less heartbreak and to enjoy it with friends and family.  I take it in stride.  If they lose this Super Bowl, I won't be thrilled, but I won't be heartbroken.

If I miss anything it will be watching with dad.  And, even though we have the best scenario I could imagine, it does remind me about who is missing.