Not too long ago, high in the Rocky Mountains, an amazing thing occurred in the great history of Broncos football. 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. Thunder rolled all across the foothills of Colorado…but went all but unnoticed. For that night, Broncos fans all across the world were too busy cheering on the best team in the nation to their second consecutive Super Bowl title in Miami, Florida.
What happened that was so amazing, you ask? Well, in that great flash of heat and electricity was born the most amazing and dedicated Broncos fan ever, Miles. Only Miles didn't know the great things that were in store for him at this point. It would be almost two years later before Denver fans would be able to see this amazing creation.
For the next year, Miles lived high in the Rockies with all of the other wild animals. He was raised by a herd of wild horses and taught how to survive the cold climate and high altitude. The horses were, not surprisingly, huge Broncos fans. They taught Miles all about the great Broncos traditions and the great players who had carried the team to numerous wins and two world championships.
After two years, Miles felt his place wasn't in the mountains any longer. He longed for greener pastures; in fact, Miles wanted the greenest turf he could find. From high in the mountains he dreamed of a place to graze where the grass stayed green year round. Then one day he spotted such a field from high in the mountains, way down in the city of Denver. He decided that was where he needed to be. When he arrived, he was shocked and delighted to find that the grass he had seen was that of the greatest stadium in the world and the home of his beloved Broncos, Sports Authority Field at Mile High!
Miles loves his new home, and the turf management folks appreciate the help he provides keeping the turf nicely trimmed. 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!
Miles Appearance Request Form - Have Miles at your next event!
"Thunder" -- The Denver Broncos Mascot
The Denver Broncos are notorious for having thunderstorms throughout the fall and winter —that is Thunder storming the field. Thunder is a purebred Arabian gelding that acts as the club’s mascot. Following every Denver Broncos touchdown, Thunder displays his impressive canter from one end zone to the other.
Thunder, provided by Thunder Spirit LLC of Denver, will be entering his 10th year during the Broncos’ 2013 campaign. Thunder took the reins as the Broncos’ mascot during a ceremony at the Sunday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 12, 2004.
The original Thunder served as the Broncos’ mas- cot for 11 years before retiring at the start of the 2004 campaign. His registered name was JB Kobask, but the stallion was given the “stage name” Thunder for his mascot duties. Thunder made his Mile High debut on Sept. 12, 1993, during a Broncos victory over the San Diego Chargers. In addition to his appearances at all Broncos home games, Thunder also appeared at Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego and XXXIII in Miami. The original Thunder made regular appearances at events and community functions following his retirement.
Thunder had been Sharon Magness Blake’s personal riding horse for five years before assuming the duties of Broncos mascot in 2004.
Thunder is trained and ridden by Ann Judge-Wegener of Thunder Spirit LLC. She is an accomplished equestrian.
Check out photos of Thunder here!
(Information courtesy of Ann Judge-Wegener)