Denver Broncos Football Club. He was founded on January 31, 1999, the same day that the Broncos became Super Bowl champions for the second time at the Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," Alexis Perry, Steve Atwater and Orlando Franklin react to Pat Surtain II's first Pro Bowl nod before breaking down a couple of key plays from Denver's big win over the Cardinals.Also, they look ahead to the Broncos and Rams' Christmas Day game and point out a few key matchups you'll want to keep a close eye on as Denver looks forasecondstraight win. Broncos Country made its presence known as the Broncos picked up its second consecutive win. They discuss how the Broncos can ignite theiroffenseon Sunday,breakdownthe defensive blueprint for containing Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelceand highlight the some of the other key matchups that might impact the outcome of the game. Thunder, provided by Thunder Spirit LLC of Denver, will be entering his 5th year during the Broncos' 2018 campaign. He also appeared at Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco. But according to Thunder's rider and trainer, Ann Judge of Bennett, Colorado, Thunder thinks the celebrations are all about him. He's the Denver Broncos mascot, a Colorado icon and, next year, he'll be the National Western Stock Show parade grand marshal. "Thunder III", a gelding registered as Me N Myshadow, was the understudy to Thunder II, and trained specifically for mascot duties beginning at age three when he was started under saddle. For 30 years the Denver Broncos have been led into the field, at every home game, by a majestic Arabian horse called Thunder. Thunder II served as the Broncos mascot for 10 years after taking the reins in 2004. He was raised by a herd of wild horses and taught how to survive the cold climate and high altitude. On this episode of "Broncos A to Z," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevens discuss how the Broncoskick-startedtheir offense in the second halfvs.Arizona, defensive linemanDeShawnWilliams explains what has sparked his game as of late andwe sharean early preview of the Broncos' Christmas Day showdown with theLos AngelesRams. [11], Thunder leads the team onto the field at the beginning of each home game,[12] and typically gallops from one end of the field to the other whenever the team makes a touchdown. Al Roker goes behind the scenes with Denver Broncos live mascot, Thunder 00:00 00:00 An unknown error has occurred TODAY's Al Roker recaps his recent time spent in the Mile High City,. Thunder Sr. was succeeded in 2004 by "Thunder II", an Arabian gelding registered as Winter Solstyce. From high in the mountains he dreamed of a place to graze where the grass stayed green year round. Thunder III may differ from his predecessors on the field, but Judge describes him as the perfect blend of each of their personalities. The Broncos' popular live animal mascot Thunder was the inspiration to incorporate a horse-head profile as part of the logo on the team's helmets. etched himself into the Broncos' record book, as well as the hearts of his teammates, coaches and fans. On this edition of "Broncos Country Connected," Austin Brink provides an exclusive look back at the Broncos' Week 10 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. They create wonderful memories and traditions, just like the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears Thanksgiving Day game. Thunder I was the teams first mascot from 1993 until 1996, and he was succeeded by Thunder II, who has been bringing the thunder since 1997. 2016-2021 Thunder Foundation All rights reserved. Thunder, provided by Thunder Spirit LLC of Denver, will be entering his 5th year during the Broncos' 2018 campaign. In addition to his appearances at all Broncos home games, Thunder also appeared at Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego and XXXIII in Miami. They also touch on the possible return ofoutside linebackerRandy Gregory, how the Cardinals might try to containwide receiverJerry Jeudy and how Denver's defense might be able to shut down Arizona's biggest weapons. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," Steve Atwater, Orlando Franklin and Alexis Perry discuss what theBroncos' identitymight be down the stretch, who needs to step up with a few starters still battling injury and what to expectinWeek 10 as the Broncos head to Nashville to take on the Titans. What Miles loves most of all are the days when the Broncos are playing at the stadium, because then he gets to cheer on his favorite team and meet all his fellow fans! IE 11 is not supported. [50], Thunder III is Me N Myshadow, a 2000 Arabian gelding, and third purebred Arabian to serve as team mascot. Now Miles resides at Sports Authority field in Denver, Colorado. [4] Following the death of her husband in November 1996, Magness-Blake downsized the horse operation and by 2014 owned about 15 horses. Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. video Super Bowl XXXII: The Revenge Tour | Full Documentary Jan 28, 2023 Thunder has been portrayed by three horses over the yearsall Arabians owned and bred by Sharon Magness Blake. Rider and trainer Ann Judge-Wegener holds the flag while atop Thunder. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. I saw one in St. Clair Co. And there is, The one who forgot is the Filoli estate in Woodside, CA. Some of the fervent members of Broncos Country braved a trip to Oakland on Christmas Eve. Here's everything you need to know (and probably didn't know) about Thunder, the Denver Broncos mascot.SUBSCRIBE to ABC NEWS: https://www.youtube.com/ABCNews. Thunder shares mascot . The perfect tummy control bodysuit, a popcorn gadget, more bestsellers starting at $8, TODAYs Al Roker visits Empower Field at Mile High Stadium in Colorado to see what it takes for the Denver Broncos real-life mascot Thunder to prepare for games.Sept. Super Bowl 50championRyan Harris breaks down a fewgame-changingplaysfromdown the stretch and points out ways the Broncos can improveagainst the Jets. Judge said without Thunder or his owner, Sharon Magness Blake, the APAHA award wouldn't have been possible. after this one." "[4], Magness-Blake owned all three of the Arabian horses that portrayed Thunder. Broadcast The story of Thunder, the Denver Broncos' live mascot May 01, 2020 The history of how Thunder, the Broncos' live mascot, became part of the Broncos' game-day experience and one of the most recognizable mascots in the NFL. "Super Bowl XXXII: The Revenge Tour" is a one-hour documentary special celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Denver Broncos' first world championship. Times Square isnt the only unusual place Thunder III has been. [9] It was the first time a Thunder mascot had been flown. Can Denver's defense use the same approachittook last week against Titans RB Derrick Henry to slow down Raiders RB Josh Jacobs? In case you werent already self-conscious about how your horse doesnt even like walking into the indoor, Thunder has been to hospitals, libraries, gymnasiums, and even rides the elevator. Thunder took the reins as the Broncos mascot at Super Bowl XLVIII in New York. A day in the life of the Denver Broncos mascot, Thunder the horse 9,827 views Sep 15, 2019 82 Dislike Share 9NEWS 218K subscribers One of the best parts of a home game is seeing that beautiful. So we can expect Thunder IV soon to be in Broncos games. [13] She has competed at the national level in Arabian and Pinto horse show competition. Denver Broncos - September 2017. [10] As Thunder II grew older, Magness-Blake anticipated the need for a replacement and added a third gray horse to the team. Chomps is a dog-like figure, based on the team's Dawg Pound section at FirstEnergy Stadium; Swagger Jr. is a bull mastiff who serves as the Cleveland Browns' newest mascot starting with the 2019 season. Following every Denver Broncos touchdown, Thunder displays his impressive canter from one end zone to the other. Thunders pre-game ritual is pretty low-key. Although Thunder II was still active as team mascot during the 201314 season, Thunder III was sent to Super Bowl XLVIII because he was younger and better able to handle air travel. Fans enjoyed Broncos giveaways and a meet and greet with Miles the Mascot, DBC Marissa, and DBC Daniela. [24] His paternal grandsire is *Salon, a Russian-bred Arabian stallion from the Tersk Stud exported first to Germany and later brought to the United States. The Raiders won 17-14. On Tuesday, Broncos players, cheerleaders and Miles the mascot helped celebrate the holiday season with children from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver at Thunder's Holiday Party. Thunder appeared at Elway's 1999 retirement gala. Also, Alexis Perry and Zac Stevensdiscuss the positives from the Broncos' Week 14 effort against the Chiefs and share what you can expect as the Broncos host the Cardinals in Week 15. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning joked, "Might have to give ol' Thunder an I.V. He is linebred to the stallion Negatiw, who appears four times in his pedigree. The Denver Broncos are notorious for having thunderstorms throughout the fall and winter that is Thunder storming the field. 9News - January 2016. Judge commands the scoring sprint while waving a flag and saluting the crowdyes, all without holding onto the reigns. Curiously, Huddles, who was a horse on two legs, has a curious backstory. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," Steve Atwater, Orlando Franklin and Alexis Perry preview the Week 14 AFC West showdown between the Broncos and Chiefs. He had been the personal pleasure riding horse of Magness-Blake. [38], For Super Bowl 50, Thunder III was trailered to San Francisco, a two-day trip that took four days because of ice and snow, further complicated by a 24-hour closure of I-80. Ships Free. Watch the video above to learn about Thunder in a minute. All Rights Reserved. Thunder took the reins as the Broncos mascot at Super Bowl XLVIII in New York. Fox 31 Denver - October 2019. He represents the Denver Broncos everlasting energy and dedication to their fans. Before Miles came along, Huddles was the mascot chosen by Denver Broncos. Broncos fans made their presence known on "Monday Night Football" against Kansas City. He decided that was where he needed to be. It is slated to be 72 feet high and 225 feet wide and the Broncos say it will be the fourth largest single scoreboard in any NFL stadium. Then, Alexis Perry sits down with undrafted rookie wide receiver Jalen Virgil, who shares some insight into his path to the NFL and breaks down his first touchdown as a Bronco. On this edition of "Broncos: A-to-Z," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevens discuss some of the most glaring issues on display as Denver droppeditseighth game of the seasononSunday against Carolina. Denver Broncos: Miles, Thunder II: Miles is a white, horse-like anthropomorphic figure wearing an orange jersey; Thunder II is an Arabian horse. All Rights Reserved. He also appeared at Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. Spectators were allowed to interact with Thunder and pet him prior to the game. Denver Broncos - September 2017. Thunder the horse was to be retired, Miles is the dressed up mascot and Bucky is the name of the Horse statue that resides ontop of the stadium. Sharon Magness-Blake has been with the Denver Broncos' living, breathing mascot . He has been flown on airplanes, ridden in elevators, and appeared indoors at press conferences and banquets. The original Thunder made regular appearances at events and community functions following his retirement. As of 2022[update], Thunder has appeared in four Super Bowls. [9] Ann Judge calls him "Tres". It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Intentionally putting on Thunders coat inside-out with the tags showing has helped the team win games before, according to his trainer and rider, Ann Judge. [13], The horses who have served as Thunder have been trained to remain calm in situations that would normally cause a horse to respond with a fight-or-flight response, such as the flashing explosions of a pyrotechnic display, or items suddenly landing on the field including skydivers with parachutes and various objects thrown by spectators, or loud music and the sounds associated with tens of thousands of cheering fans at Mile High. Thunder II served as the Broncos mascot for 10 years after taking the reins in 2004. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). (For comparison, cold bloods are slow and calm,. Together, adorned in blue and orange, the duo adds full-speed elegance to the hard-nosed game of football. The Denver Broncos mascot Thunder leads the team onto the field before the final preseason game of the year at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. [2] Magness said, "Thunder is friendly, and Broncos fans think it's good luck for the opposing team to pet our mascot". Throughout the next eight-and-a-half seasons, D.T. Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, ridden by Ann Judge, leads players onto the field before a game against the Houston Texans at Empower Field at Mile. [19], Thunder's record number of runs may have been during a 5220 win on September 29, 2013, when he crossed the field eight times. His first game was in 2013at Super Bowl XLVIII, no less. The Broncos hosted an Alzheimer's Awareness Day at training camp on Wednesday, with support from Senior Vice President of Strategy Brittany Bowlen and Annabel Bowlen, and the Broncos partnered with Empower Retirement to donate $50,000 to the Alzheimer's Association's Colorado chapter. [20] Thunder usually leaves the field before the game is over. The Broncos mascot Thunder acts . "Oh my gosh.". So, the next time youre at a football game, take a moment to thank the mascots who have been delivering the thunder and laughter since the beginning. It was a snowy Sunday evening -- January 31, 1999, to be exact -- when a big flash of lightning split the blue and orange sunset sky. [14] Each time he makes a run, a four-person crew runs down the sidelines to the end zone to escort Thunder back to his sideline position. In addition to his appearances at all Broncos home games, Thunder also appeared at Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego and XXXIII in Miami. Thunder is trained and ridden by Ann Judge of Thunder Spirit LLC. [33], At Super Bowl XLVIII, Thunder led the team onto the field at the start of the game,[35][36] making it the first Super Bowl where he was allowed to do so. Ann Judge Wegener rides Thunder prior to the game between the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sept. 23, 2013. . In The News. The History of Thunder When Thunder, the Denver Broncos mascot opens each home game at Sports Authority field in Denver, Colorado, more than 76,125 fans show their Love of Thunder with resounding Mile-High cheers and applause. [48], Thunder II stands 14.3hands (59inches, 150cm) tall and weighs over 900 pounds (410kg). Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. With his high-flying acrobatics and antics, this mascot brings a new level of excitement to every game. They get to Mile High Stadium 2 hours early for meet and greets, and Thunder pulls out of Mile High Stadium at the two-minute warning to head back to Judges farm in Bennett, Colorado. Did A Strange Michigan Bigfoot Sighting Happen In The Thumb? Tune into this Broncos Broadcast special airing Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. MT on 9NEWS or catch it on the Broncos YouTube channel at 7 p.m. MT. [1][2][a] Thunder's debut as team mascot was on September 12, 1993, during the Broncos' victory over the San Diego Chargers. Thunderis the stage namefor the horsewho is the official live animal mascotfor the Denver Broncosfootball team. [2][8] Magness-Blake replaced him with Thunder II,[2] a 1994 Arabian gelding registered as Winter Solstyce. . These mascots exemplify the essence of the Broncos and are a treasured part of the teams history and culture, whether theyre performing on the field or spreading joy in the stands. With each scoring drive, Thunder engages the crowd running full-stride from the south end zone down the center of the field to the north. One of three breed classifications, hot bloods are known for their speed and endurance. [1] Me N Myshadow is sired by Monarch AH out of a *Gondolier daughter, making him a distant cousin to Winter Solstyce. Three purebred Arabians have held this role since 1993, all gray horses whose coats lightened with age until they turned completely white. Showing Editorial results for denver broncos. How to Prepare Your Roof for Winter: 5 Essential Tips for Homeowners, 5 Ways to Keep Your Home Cozy and Save Money on Heating All Winter Long, Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke What To Watch For and 12 Tips To Avoid It. [2] Thunder also attended Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami in 1999. 12 / 14 Rider and trainer Ann Judge-Wegener holds the flag while atop Thunder. He was a stallion registered as JB Kobask, a former show horse, who was team mascot for the Broncos from 1993 until his retirement in 2004. The original Thunder performed in Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII; Thunder III appeared in Super Bowl XLVIII and Super Bowl 50. [13] He may also make a run after a field goal, but not a safety. Clutch the Bear is presented the NBA Mascot of the Year award during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 22, 2021 at the Toyota. With his fun antics and crazy shenanigans, this horse entertainment added a whole new level of excitement to the games. Well, in that great flash of heat and electricity was born the most amazing and dedicated Broncos fan ever, Miles. The Blakes, Thunder in tow, would go to the ranch for some relaxation and horse riding, but at this point, Magness Blake says, "we have a huge life in Denver, and we don't get there as much . Through Sharons involvement in diverse nonprofit efforts, Thunder has been a special guest to benefit organizations like Childrens Hospital, Denver Rescue Mission and the American Heart Association and Western Fantasy. Who needs to step up as the Broncos look to score at leasttwomore touchdownspergame? "To see a former player come back in the league and be a GM and win a Super Bowl as a player and win a Super Bowl as a GM?" The game was in New York, Thunder II was 20 years old, and Judge didnt want Dos flying across the country in bad weather. The original "Thunder", JB Kobask, was loaned to the Denver Broncos by Sharon Magness-Blake of Magness Arabians after she received a phone call from team officials asking if she had a "white" horse. On this installment of "Broncos A to Z," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevens discusswhat went well and what didn'tin Denver's Week 6 loss to the Chargers. [8] It was his first away game, and required 26 hours of trailering to reach the destination. "Oh my gosh.". Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. For that awe-inspiring Love of Thunder, we have owner Sharon Magness Blake to thank for the gift of reveling in 23 years of special mascot moments. Miles, the Broncos mascot, leads the team onto the field as the Denver Broncos face off against the New York Giants on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017 at. [5][19] Ann Judge, also known as Ann Judge-Wegener,[43] became Thunder's rider in 1998. 26, 2022. Thunder is perfect.. He once marched right through the kitchen of the Sheraton in downtown Denver to meet President Bill Clinton. Thunder is trained and ridden by Ann Judge of Thunder Spirit LLC.