Last week I wrote about some endearing moments and memories of our first Super Bowl victory.
Like eating peanuts, it is hard to stop at just one.
Very few franchises have ever won consecutive Super Bowls, and by being one of the few, the Denver Broncos created forever memories in the minds of Broncos Country.
Before we won the first, I was advancing our "Monday Night Football" game at San Francisco and stopped to briefly grab some Chinese food before my next appointment.
As is custom, there was a fortune cookie at the end. Mine read, "Something good is coming your way."
For some reason, I saved it and taped it in my notepad.
As we prepared to face San Francisco, I never would have dreamed that we would lose, nor that we would not lose again for almost an entire calendar year.
So let's see what happened in that time:
We won Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego. Terrell Davis was the MVP in his hometown. We had a victory parade so large that its attendance could only be guessed.
And, yes, we won all of our games until almost exactly one year later, when we lost to the Giants in New York.
The Broncos were really, really good that year.
Davis ran for over 2,000 yards in 1998 and was named NFL MVP, adding to his future Hall of Fame resume. Kicker Jason Elam tied the NFL record for the longest field goal with a 63-yarder at home against Jacksonville. The Broncos rolled past Miami in the Division Round playoff game. The Broncos overcame a scoreless first half to whack the New York Jets in the title game.
There is always an upset along the way; I figured it would not be us — and it was not, as Atlanta defeated the powerful Vikings in the NFC title game.
We opened as 8.5-point favorites (though that number would drop slightly) and never looked back.
The Falcons were determined to stop our vaunted running game and make John Elway beat Atlanta.
Say what?
Elway had a great game, of course, and was named the MVP. After his postgame press conference, I delivered a line that I had been waiting for.
As he stepped down from the podium I said, "John, I have been waiting 16 years to tell you this. You have a press conference tomorrow morning at 8:30 as the Super Bowl MVP.
"And, you have to decide which car you want!"
Elway, whose name was on more than a dozen car dealerships at the time, laughed and said, "I get a car? Tell them I will decide later."
And off he went to celebrate the night away with his teammates in Miami.
We had a great party, made it to the press conference, and John was the NFL's conquering hero, having etched his name in the record books as a back-to-back world champion quarterback.
Then we flew back to Denver and had yet another fabulous parade.
I got back to work with the first task being our highlight film. I had already decided the title: "Back 2 Back."
A couple of weeks later, I was chatting with Pat Bowlen in his office and mentioned that title to him.
"I really like that — 'Back 2 Back,' Pat said. "I have been trying to think of something unique to put on our ring. I think I'll use that!"
You're welcome, Mr. B.
I think of that brief exchange every time I look at my ring.
Those were the greatest memories with the greatest owner and teammates ever.
Here's hoping Broncos Country has more of the same in the future.
Flip through Broncos history with photos from our photo archive of the Broncos' Super Bowl XXXIII win over the Falcons in John Elway's final game leading the Broncos at quarterback.
John Elway prepares to take the snap from center against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Terrell Davis rushes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway prepares to fire a pass downfield against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway celebrates a Howard Griffith touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
The Broncos defensive unit celebrates after stopping the Falcons fourth down attempt against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Jason Elam attempts a field goal against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Rod Smith breaks free en route to an 80-yard touchdown reception against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Rod Smith is swarmed by his teammates after hooking up with John Elway for an 80-yard touchdown reception against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Rod Smith is congratulated by his teammates after connecting with John Elway for an 80-yard touchdown reception against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway gets his teammates pumped up along the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway calls an audible at the line of scrimmage against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Rod Smith makes a 41-yard reception against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Rod Smith makes a 41-yard reception against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Shannon Sharpe makes a reception and runs the ball down to the 1-yard line against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Trevor Pryce applies heavy pressure to Chris Chandler in the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Trevor Pryce applies pressure to Chris Chandler in the Falcons endzone against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Darrius Johnson intercepts a Chris Chandler pass attempt against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Darrius Johnson points to the skies above in celebration after his interception against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Darrien Gordon intercepts a pass against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Darrien Gordon returns an interception against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Alfred Williams celebrates on defense against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Mobley celebrates a strong defensive stand against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Howard Griffith plunges into the end zone for a 1 yard touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway celebrates a Howard Griffith touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Thunder runs down the Broncos end zone after another Broncos touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
The Falcons and Broncos at the line of scrimmage against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway and Mark Schlereth smile to one another after Elway scored on a 3-yard run against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway can't hide his excitement after becoming the oldest player in NFL history to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Ed McCaffrey is tripped up after making a reception.; against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway raises his fists as he walks off the field in his last NFL game of his career against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway walks off the field in what was his last game in his illustrious career against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway gets a hug from Pat Bowlen after winning Super Bowl XXXIII against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Steve Atwater celebrates his victory against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Darrien Gordon savors the Broncos' victory along the bench against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Pat Bowlen holds his second consecutive Super Bowl trophy after winning Super Bowl XXXIII against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
A player hoists up the ultimate prize, the Lombardi Trophy, against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway removes his uniform after winning Super Bowl XXXIII against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway holds up his second consecutive Super Bowl trophy against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Terrell Davis celebrates after he is handed the Lombardi Trophy against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Ray Crockett hoists the Super Bowl trophy for all to see against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Pro Player Stadium is covered in a sea of confetti after the Broncos won Super Bowl XXXIII against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Pat Bowlen enters the locker room with his second consecutive Super Bowl trophy against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
Tyrone Braxton video tapes the locker room celebration after the Super Bowl victory against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway and Mike Shanahan celebrate their second straight Super Bowl title against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway gets a hand shake from Billy Thompson after winning Super Bowl XXXIII against the Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
John Elway and his father, Jack, celebrate another Super Bowl victory at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, FL on January 31, 1999.
