DENVER -- Safety Mike Adams has spent nine seasons in the NFL, but the scene at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Saturday was unlike anything he's ever been a part of.
"I promise you when I stepped foot in this stadium I had the chills," said the first-year Bronco. "I never experienced this many people in a stadium for a fan fest or a spring game. It was live and it was fun. I wanted to continue playing, because the fans had the juice going."
The crowd of 41,304 at the Broncos' annual scrimmage shattered the previous training camp attendance record of 20,782 . The turnout was just 130 fans away from doubling the old record, set in 2010.
The atmosphere in the stadium brought the intensity on the field to another level.
"It gets us going," Adams said. "It gets the juices going, just because there are so many people. It feels like a game atmosphere."
Defensive tackle Mitch Unrein agreed, but added that it's important not to let nerves get in the way of execution.
"Your blood starts pumping, and it just changes up the practice," Unrein said. "It feels great to come in here and get used to playing at (Sports Authority Field at) Mile High, but still, you've got to calm yourself down, just like a game, and you've got to focus on your technique. You can't try to make every play. You've just got to make the plays that come to you."
Although large numbers were anticipated, Broncos Country far exceeded those expectations.
"They're always telling us that we're going to have a lot of people but you never (expect) the support that we get from this town," running back Jeremiah Johnson said. "It's such a blessing that they support where we're going and we're trying to get. That's what it's about."
Defensive end Elvis Dumervil hopes the fans' passion on Saturday was a preview of the eight regular season home games.
"It's good to see them so involved in what we're trying to do this year," Dumervil said. "They're a big part of what we're trying to do this year. Hopefully, at our home games, they'll really be rockin'."
Even Head Coach John Fox, after 23 years of experience in the NFL, was blown away by Saturday's turnout.
"It's unbelievable," Fox said. "I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like this for this point and this type of scrimmage atmosphere. I think they're ready for some football."
Fox joined the rest of the team after practice in signing autographs, doing what they could to show their gratification for an experience that was unique to any other.
"There's no place in the whole country like playing at Mile High," Unrein said.
