DENVER – This is weird.
I marked the start of the first Sunday of the NFL season by tuning into the start of the Jets-Bills game. On the first play of the game, Tim Tebow was lined up as a receiver. Then, I arrived at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday afternoon to see Peyton Manning warming up in a Denver Broncos’ uniform.
When I departed this stadium on Jan. 8, there is no way I would have been able to fathom any of the above-mentioned scenes.
Yes, I know I’ve had nearly six months to digest the fact that Manning is a Bronco and the team traded Tebow to the Jets. Now that is all unfolding, though, it is surreal.
The last play that mattered in this stadium was an 80-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to Demaryius Thomas to stun Pittsburgh -- which is here tonight as well to welcome Manning to Denver -- on the first offensive play in overtime in the wild-card round.
It was as loud as I ever heard this stadium. I’m sure the stadium will rock tonight, but for a completely different reason.
I marked the start of the first Sunday of the NFL season by tuning into the start of the Jets-Bills game. On the first play of the game, Tim Tebow was lined up as a receiver. Then, I arrived at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday afternoon to see Peyton Manning warming up in a Denver Broncos’ uniform.
When I departed this stadium on Jan. 8, there is no way I would have been able to fathom any of the above-mentioned scenes.
Yes, I know I’ve had nearly six months to digest the fact that Manning is a Bronco and the team traded Tebow to the Jets. Now that is all unfolding, though, it is surreal.
The last play that mattered in this stadium was an 80-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to Demaryius Thomas to stun Pittsburgh -- which is here tonight as well to welcome Manning to Denver -- on the first offensive play in overtime in the wild-card round.
It was as loud as I ever heard this stadium. I’m sure the stadium will rock tonight, but for a completely different reason.
Bill Williamson | email
NFL- ESPN AFC West Blogger
- Spent four seasons covering the Broncos for the Denver Post
- Previously covered Vikings, Packers, Seahawks
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Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
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