Alexis Perry is joined byPro FootballHall of Famer Steve Atwater and former Broncos offensive lineman Orlando Franklin to discuss some of the adjustments the Broncos need to makein Week 7.Then, Atwater and Franklinbreak downa coupleofkey plays from the Broncos' and Jets'Week6 showings and point out some of the key matchups to keep an eye on this Sunday. Click to apply coupon! 10 / 14 Ann Judge-Wegener waves to the crowd. Thunder, provided by Thunder Spirit LLC of Denver, will be entering his 5th year during the Broncos' 2018 campaign. Thunder made his Mile High debut on Sept. 12, 1993, during a Broncos victory over the San Diego Chargers. Upon arrival, Thunder was stabled at the Stanford Equestrian Center. [4] As well as his support crew, Thunder has a bodyguard who travels to the games. Thunder made his Mile High debut on Sept. 12, 1993, during a Broncos victory over the San Diego Chargers. 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. Denver Broncos - September 2017. Mile High gets loud. "He definitely looks rejuvenated," Campbell said of his former boss. Every time the Broncos score a touchdown, Thunder will celebrate with fans by galloping across the gridiron. On this episode of "BroncosAtoZ," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevensidentifysome of the most encouraging moments from the Broncos' Week 17 game against Kansas City. 12 / 14 Rider and trainer Ann Judge-Wegener holds the flag while atop Thunder. [12] Ann Judge has also remarked about the team getting "amped up" with energy and excitement as Thunder leads them onto the field, explaining that "To him, amped up means danger. He continued making community appearances until his death in 2009. Find Mascot Thunder stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. [2] Yet he remained calm and controlled in very intense situations,[20] and Judge believed he had a sixth sense for when to be energetic for a performance and when to calm down. How this music star is raising awareness about colorectal cancer, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife, son, Michelle Yeoh on how her mother congratulated her for Oscar nod, Michelle Yeoh: Everything Everywhere cast ended up as family. What is the name of the 2 Broncos mascots? 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. Super Bowl 50championRyan Harris breaks down a fewgame-changingplaysfromdown the stretch and points out ways the Broncos can improveagainst the Jets. Allow us to take you on a whimsical journey as we uncover the history of the Denver Broncos mascots, a history filled with jokes, pranks, and all-around good times. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The Repository, Canton, Ohio - July 2019. Select from premium Mascot Thunder of the highest quality. 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. [2] Magness said, "Thunder is friendly, and Broncos fans think it's good luck for the opposing team to pet our mascot". Thunder is perfect.. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Thunder appeared at Elway's 1999 retirement gala. (For comparison, cold bloods are slow and calm,. [4][20] He was a son of the reserve U.S. National Champion Arabian Stallion GG Jabask, and a grandson of the Polish-bred Arabian *Bask,[b] a multiple U.S. National Champion after his importation to the United States. Eventually, he began turning to his handlers anticipating a treat whenever he saw a cheerleader with pom-poms. Curiously, Huddles, who was a horse on two legs, has a curious backstory. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He longed for greener pastures; in fact, Miles wanted the greenest turf he could find. . $169.99 $ 169 99. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," Steve Atwater, OrlandoFranklin andAlexis Perrybreakdowna few of the Broncos' most successful offensive plays so far this season and outline how the Broncos could use those plays this week to get a much-needed win over a divisional rival. Miles, the Horse, was the successor to Huddle and made his first appearance in 1995. [4] Both Thunder II and Thunder III are stabled at Judge's farm in Bennett, Colorado. The Denver Broncos mascot today is an Arabian gelding horse known as Thunder and thunder can be seen in some version or another on every Denver Bronco logo throughout history. "If anybody can get that thing turned around out there, it's him.". The stallion was notably gentle around children who wanted to pet him. These mascots, from Miles the Horse to Thunder II, have been a vital part of the Broncos experience and will continue to provide fans with fun and excitement for many years. The best way to get the Arabian gelding to . Since the Denver Broncos team logo features a horse, it is obvious that the mascot has to be a horse. Thunder III also made appearances in Times Square and on television morning news shows in New York City as part of the pre-game promotion for Super Bowl XLVIII. Denver Broncos Mascot Statue. He began performing at preseason games in 2013. The original Thunder debuted on Sept. 12, 1993, in a game. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Thunder and his rider also interact with fans before the game; the horse is particularly popular with children, who are allowed to pet him. [19] Officially retired in 2014, Thunder II occasionally makes public appearances. [22], Magness-Blake said one of the most dangerous parts of Thunder's job is at the beginning of the game when he leads the team onto the field, as there are cheerleaders ahead of him waving their pom-poms and a team of excited football players behind him. "[4], Magness-Blake owned all three of the Arabian horses that portrayed Thunder. "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?" 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. 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. Did A Strange Michigan Bigfoot Sighting Happen In The Thumb? Then, Super Bowl 50champion Ryan Harrisbreaksdown a few plays from the Broncos' Week 12 game against the Panthers and pointsout some of the ways the Broncos can improve with six games remaining on the schedule. Thunder, the Broncos' team mascot, a gray Arabian gelding, will head the traditional the 2017 National Stock Show Parade through Downtown Denver on Jan. 5 to kick off the 16-day stock show. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," canthe Broncos'offense overcome the Jets' stout defense to snap their three-game losing streak? video Super Bowl XXXII: The Revenge Tour | Full Documentary Jan 28, 2023 [6] The couple, along with two other people, are part of Thunder's ground crew at football games. Denver Broncos fans are no strangers to the legendary players whove donned the orange and blue, but what about the mischievous Denver Broncos mascot whos added an extra dose of humor and hootenanny to the field? Rider and trainer Ann Judge has saddled-up Thunder I, II and III. Thunder has also been there to celebrate each touchdown and field goal. Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. The horses who have served as Thunder need to remain calm in situations that would normally frighten most horses, such as being in football stadiums with thousands of cheering fans, exploding pyrotechnics, cheerleaders waving pom-poms, and other spectacles common to National Football League (NFL) games. For the next year, Miles lived high in the Rockies with all of the other wild animals. Thunder stopped immediately, averting a potentially dangerous situation. [21] Thunder III is the first of the mascots to tolerate wearing earplugs, which help protect his hearing from loud noises during games. 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. The original Thunder served as the Broncos' mas- cot for 11 years before retiring at the start of the 2004 campaign. Learn More{{/message}}, Thank you for sharing such great post! Thunder is the stage name for the horse who is the official live animal mascot for the Denver Broncos football team. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. after this one." Thunder was sidelined in late August with a knee injury, after a close encounter of . You May Also Like. Rider and trainer Ann Judge-Wegener holds the flag while atop Thunder. Times Square isnt the only unusual place Thunder III has been. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Since his fathers retirement in 2014, Thunder III is the primary attraction and on-field power. Denver Broncos Football Club. He routinely appears in parades, makes hospital and school visits, and attends various other public functions. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. More than 20 of the Broncos' biggest stars including Hall of Famers John Elway, Terrell Davis and Steve Atwater come together to relive some of the best moments throughout the 1997 season and detail what it was like to finally hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy. 9News - January 2016. ABC News - February 2016. The mascot's first rider was Angela Moore, then a 19-year-old assistant trainer to Hudson and a graduate of Colorado State University. Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. "[19] On one occasion, a person walked out unexpectedly in front of Thunder as he was leading the players onto the field. His registered name was JB Kobask, but the stallion was given the stage name Thunder for his mascot duties. It would be almost two years later before Denver fans would be able to see this amazing creation. [49] Nicknamed "Dos" by Judge, Thunder II has been described as somewhat timid with a more subdued personality than his predecessor. Finally, a good mascot may improve the overall fan experience and instill a sense of unity and passion in the game. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He was exposed to a variety of situations, including open horse shows where he could become accustomed to crowds and activity. "Thunder" the Denver Broncos mascot walks along the sidelines on Aug. 19, 2006 at Mile High Stadium at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. He's the Denver Broncos mascot, a Colorado icon and, next year, he'll be the National Western Stock Show parade grand marshal. 26, 2022. Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. Thunder Sr. was succeeded in 2004 by "Thunder II", an Arabian gelding registered as Winter Solstyce. [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 I was the team's first mascot from 1993 until 1996, and he was succeeded by Thunder II, who has been bringing the thunder since 1997. In addition to his appearances at all Broncos home games, Thunder also appeared at Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego and XXXIII in Miami. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. [53], Thunder III had been trained specifically for the role of Thunder, beginning at age three when Judge first started working with him under saddle. The second mascot is Thunder III, the son of Thunder II. [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 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. 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. . His registered name was JB Kobask, but the stallion was given the stage name Thunder for his mascot duties. gallery Photos: Broncos host inaugural Inspire Change Summit to celebrate partners' impact in the community His first game was in 2013at Super Bowl XLVIII, no less. Throughout the next eight-and-a-half seasons, D.T. 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. He decided that was where he needed to be. The remainder of his lineage traces back to the Arabian horse breeding programs of Poland and Russia. Watch the video above to learn about Thunder in a minute. Also,theDenver7crew sharesitsthoughts on the final stretch of the season. "Super Bowl XXXII: The Revenge Tour"features interviews with the fiveHall of Famers from that team, their head coach, Mike Shanahan, and some of the biggest stars from that 1997 team todetail their Super Bowl XXXII run and how the feeling of defeat in the divisional round the previous year fueled them throughout their 20-game championship season. Thunder II served as the Broncos mascot for 10 years after taking the reins in 2004. [9] He was Magness-Blake's personal pleasure riding horse prior to taking on his new role as team mascot. The purebred Arabian gelding is also part of a good luck ritual for the Broncos. Thunder took the reins as the Broncos mascot at Super Bowl XLVIII in New York. [4] He is known for being people-friendly and particularly gentle with children who became acquainted with him prior to each game. "Rod Smith: Catching Greatness" details how Rod Smith grew a young boy from the projects of Texarkana, Arkansas with dreams of playing professional baseball to became the greatest wide receiver in Denver Broncos history.Through firsthand accounts from the people who most believed in him, this production documents Smith's perseverance and pathway to become one of the most beloved and admired Broncos of all time. "[1] She describes the process by saying, "if something is fearful to him, as long as he looks to me, and I tell him hes OK, hes OK."[19] The only frightening stimuli that was an ongoing problem for both Thunder Sr. and Thunder II was when the crowd would perform the wave; Thunder Sr. would stand still, but tremble. 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. The original Thunder (the only stallion) passed away several years ago, and Thunder II is retired at Magness Blakes farm in Silverton, Colorado. Thunder II was much more timidso much so that Judge wasnt sure he would make the cut. [20] Thunder II would become tense, requiring ground handlers and his rider to help steady him. [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. We're not talking about a guy in a horse costume (although the Broncos have one of those too). Ethan Hardy is an avid gamer, beat composer, artist, and writer. [28], Thunder has other duties off the field, and has appeared at many public exhibitions and charity functions in the Denver area, including visits to schools and hospitals. Thunder is a collectible Hand-Crafted Breyer Model Horse Judge said Thunder, age 19 at the time, was not tired at all, describing him as "full of spit and vinegar" the next day. [1][2][a] Thunder's debut as team mascot was on September 12, 1993, during the Broncos' victory over the San Diego Chargers. [45] Judge has been described by Broncos' management as an "accomplished equestrian". [4], The first horse trainer for JB Kobask as Thunder was Tom Hudson,[4] the trainer for Magness Arabians at the time. That's right. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Thunder, provided by Thunder Spirit LLC of Denver, will be entering his 5th year during the Broncos' 2018 campaign. From high in the mountains he dreamed of a place to graze where the grass stayed green year round. 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. [16][17] Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. But if the Broncos win the Super Bowl, Thunder Dos is coming out of retirement. 18th Sep, 2022. Ethan is currently an editor and author for outdoorskillz.com and twoverbs.com, Your email address will not be published. On this edition of "Broncos A to Z," running back Marlon Mack takes us through his 66-yard touchdown against the Chiefs in Week 14. 13 Extraordinary Mansions in the United States, Thunder I and Thunder II: The Pioneers of Mascot Mania, Thunder III: The Successor To Thunder Legacy, Anglers Are Urged To Turn In Adipose Fin Clipped Fish To The Michigan DNR, Cristiano Ronaldo 10 Fascinating Facts about This Phenomenal Soccer Player, Michigan DNR Announces Michigan Free Fishing, ORV, and State Park Access In 2022, 4 Weight Loss Tips From a Woman Who Lost 140 Pounds, 9 Exceptional Window Safety Tips for Families With Children, The Denver Broncos Mascot 23-Years of Wild Horse Play, Mastering the Art of Bluffing In Poker 4 Essential Tips, Laser Hair Removal 6 Benefits To Relieve Rough Skin, Exploring The Impact Of Dating And Technology In 2023, 7 Super Useful Tips To Improve Your Essay Writing.