Broadcasting the final "MNF" game from Mile High
Stadium in Denver last night, ABC's Al Michaels said he was
"going to miss this place." Michaels: "If I had to list my
ten favorite games in 15 years of doing ["MNF"], probably
five of them would have been played here." ABC's Dennis
Miller, viewing the construction site of the Broncos' new
stadium, "It looks like Arrowhead, doesn't it?" Michaels
called the new stadium "beautiful" ("MNF," ABC, 11/13).
EVERYWHERE A SIGN: In Denver, Tillie Fong reports that
advocates behind the movement to retain the Mile High name
at the new stadium passed out 50,000 placards to wave during
last night's game on TV. Denver business exec John
Hickenlooper, who was "responsible" for the signs, said
while watching the game on TV, "I'm a little disappointed
that we haven't seen that many shots of the crowd. We were
hoping that the Monday Night commentators would pan the
crowd and see all the signs and discuss the issue" (ROCKY
MOUNTAIN NEWS, 11/14). Hickenlooper: "It's the first Monday
night football game I've ever seen with no crowd shots"
(DENVER POST, 11/14). In CO Springs, Barry Bortnick notes
that Mile High supporters "hoped fans would wave the posters
during ... [but] few of the placards could be seen" during
the game (CO Springs GAZETTE, 11/14). In Denver, Pippa Jack
writes that stadium officials "banished" those handing out
signs from the stadium grounds on Monday. But "many fans
passing them in the parking lot grabbed extras and passed
them on once inside." The signs read: "Mile High Stadium -
The Best Name by a Mile" (DENVER POST, 11/14).
SAY CHEESE: Also in Denver, Patrick Saunders reported
that the Broncos have commissioned "renowned" photographer
Michael Gustafson to photograph the final game at Mile High
Stadium on December 23. Gustafson will be in a helicopter
above the stadium taking pictures, the best of which will be
made into a lithograph that will be sold for $98, with $5
going to the Broncos Charity Fund (DENVER POST, 11/12).
