It’s that time of season again marked by the winding down of summer fun that includes barbeques, waterparks and fishing.

One incredible pastime overlaps another and it comes down to this very moment, the moment when the parking lots at 1701 Bryant Street fill with not only cars but one of sport’s most ardent addicts … the Denver Bronco Fan! NFL Football is back!

The city of Denver and football nation has had its ups and downs with superstar hopefuls like Jake “the Snake” Plummer, the always-controversial Brandon Marshall and who can forget the quarterback fans love to hate, Jay Cutler. All were big names in the game and some still hold that title, but in the eyes of Denver fans no player has lived up to the Mile High legend — John Elway.

Elway showcased raw and unparalleled talent, talent that spoiled fans for years ultimately ending his journey in football as all professional athletes’ dream — to end on top. Since those winning seasons and Elway’s departure something was amiss, something just didn’t seem right. It wasn’t that fans somehow lost their passion for the game because of his departure, no, it was something else, something significant.

Though games still remained exciting especially with last year’s wildcat roller-coaster season (Who remembers the Wild Cat roller-coaster at Elitches on 38th Avenue?) and Tim Tebow’s will to win, it wasn’t then that Pat Bowlen recognized what was amiss in the City of Denver. That’s right; Elway was missing from the Denver Broncos equation.

Since Elway’s hiring to head football operations, the city has recaptured that buzz it had lost, and rightfully so, especially when the Mile High legend did the unthinkable by acquiring another football quarterback legend in Peyton Manning. Some might argue who of the two will go down in history as the better quarterback, but one thing is for sure, both wore the orange and blue.

This week Denver kicks off the preseason in the Windy City to face former Broncos quarterback, Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Stay tuned for possible Denver magic.