Aaahhhh. Football. It’s back!

My Sundays now have purpose.

I’ve been asked quite frequently if, now that I’ve moved to San Francisco, I’m going to forget about my Colorado team and root for the 49ers.

Um. No.

I will forever be a Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets and Avalanche fan. It wouldn’t feel right if I wasn’t.

And I am no fair-weather fan.

Yes, I understand that it is going to be a hard season for the Broncos. Heck, for the Buffs too (my poor Buffaloes). But a true fan doesn’t give up. A true fan still has faith in their team despite the negativity and the taunting. I will forever be a Broncos fan.

I mean, look at the preseason. If I wasn’t a true fan, I would’ve ran like a child, screaming to the 49ers, “Take me! I’ll be your fan!”

Mike Shanahan is out. Jay Cutler is out. Seven defensive starters from 2008 are out. We’ve got Josh McDaniels, Kyle Orton, Mike Nolan, Brian Dawkins, Ronald Fields and Andre Goodman. In five decades of seasons, the Broncos have not seen as much turnover as this one.

But what can we do? We can feel angry, sad, betrayed. But, in the end, we just have to see what happens.

Here’s an example – I have a friend that is a Lions fan. I know, idiot. But he’s the perfect example of not being a fair-weather fan. Did they even win one game last season? I think not. But still, he goes to the bar every time his Lions play, decked out in Lions gear, and prepares to watch them lose. He’s ever hopeful that they will win, and boy let me tell you, when/if they do win, the city of Los Angeles better WATCH OUT. A Lion will be parading the streets.

Back to the Broncos (the team that actually matters here). I have faith. Not just blind faith. I think McDaniels can pull it together. He’s had a crappy pre-season, but I think he can get his act together and coach this team to some serious wins. Brandon Marshall… ugh. I understand he was all mushy gushy upset that Cutler got shipped away, but come on. I am not a fan of stinky, greedy football players (however good they may be). Part of me hopes he ends up with the Eagles and Michael Vick gets a hold of his puppy. But, nevertheless, he will be a good player for the Broncos.

This season isn’t going to be a walk in the park for my Denver team. But we can pull it through. And I will still hold my head, Mile High.