Fansided

Each state’s nominee for America’s Team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos general manager John Elway holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos general manager John Elway holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Colorado

Denver Broncos

Some NFL fan bases reach much farther than the city and state in which they reside. In addition to their home state of Colorado, as one of two NFL franchises located in the Mountain Time Zone, it’s not uncommon to spot Denver Broncos jerseys throughout the region from Utah to Nebraska to Montana and beyond.

A winning team obviously helps grow a fanbase, and the Broncos have been one of the best over the last half-century. Denver has won 15 AFC West titles, and at least two in every decade since the 1970s, along with eight conference championships. The Broncos qualified for at least one Super Bowl in four different decades with the 2000s as the lone exception.

Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway helped the franchise win its first two Super Bowl titles in 1997 and 1998, and returned he to the franchise in the front office to help build the Super Bowl 50 championship quad in 2015. With success like that, it’s no wonder the Broncos are a national brand.

As an aside, it’s important to note that the United States Air Force Academy, and specifically the Air Force Falcons football team, was given heavy consideration for this spot. The Falcons have been extraordinarily competitive on the gridiron over the last 50 years, including a 1985 squad that climbed as high as No. 2 in the polls.

But more importantly, as one of the three service academies that compete for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, it’s important to mention the service the young men agree to when they sign up to play their college ball there, as well as the men and women that opt to represent the Falcons in 26 other NCAA sports.

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