Tiger Woods, Lindsey Vonn, Other Celebrities Cheering For Denver Broncos In Super Bowl
By Rich Kurtzman
The Denver Broncos are popular. So popular, in fact, a poll named the Broncos America's favorite football team a few weeks ago.
It makes sense; the Broncos were the first and only NFL team in the Rocky Mountain region for 28 years before the Arizona Cardinals joined in 1988. People all across Colorado and its seven neighboring states, as well as some in Montana and Idaho, are big-time Broncos backers.
But it's not just the “average Joes” who will be pulling for the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII when they take on the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday—some celebrities will be united in orange as well.
First and foremost, Tiger Woods is a Broncos and Peyton Manning fan.
“I like the Broncos,” Woods, regarded as one of the greatest golfers to ever live, said to reporters prior to teeing off Thursday at the Dubai Desert Classic. "Peyton is one of my good buddies and let's be honest, he got scrutinized pretty hard when he left Indy that he would never be the same after his neck surgery. And it's right, he's not the same, he's better. And that's cool to see," Woods said. "That's cool to see the hard work that he put in to shut everybody up."
Woods, along with Colorado native girlfriend and world-class skier Lindsey Vonn, were both on the sidelines during the Broncos 27-17 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 17. Following Denver's AFC Championship victory, Woods tweeted, “Nothing like watching the greatest of all time play. Congrats Peyton.”
They're not the only celebrities rooting for the Broncos; country singer Jessie James, Eric Decker's pregnant wife, is going for the Broncos of course, as is actress Kate Hudson, Jessica Biel and Denver native Don Cheadle.
In favor of the Seahawks are Macklemore, Sir Mix-A-Lot and Sarah Palin.
Eric LeGrand makes the Super Bowl to root for Broncos
Eric LeGrand's story is a somewhat sad one, but one of triumph as well.
LeGrand was injured in 2010 at the age of 20 while playing for Rutgers University. The hit, which happened on a kickoff, paralyzed the youngster and ended his ability to walk, and thus his football career.
But, over three years later, LeGrand will be in attendance at Super Bowl XLVIII to cheer on his favorite NFL team, the Denver Broncos.
"To see the Broncos here now, in the stadium I got hurt in, in the Super Bowl," LeGrand told reporters in New York, "It's like a dream come true right now."
LeGrand was only eight years old the last time Denver was in the Super Bowl and he reportedly wore Terrell Davis' No. 30 as a pee-wee player. Now he has a chance to see his team win in the place he last played football himself, MetLife Stadium.
For more news and updates about the NFL Playoffs, visit NFL Playoffs Central.
Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Rich is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.