The 50 best Broncos photos of 2017
Team photographer Gabriel Christus selected his favorite photos of the year to remember 2017. (Photos by Gabriel Christus, captions by Ben Swanson)
July 27 After the first day of training camp, fans swarm Von Miller during the autograph session. On a nearly daily basis, Miller's arrival at the bottom of the berm after practice brought almost uncontrollable crowds.
July 30 As rookie defensive end DeMarcus Walker can attest, any advice you receive from Von Miller is worth holding on to.
August 4 Sunny days like these helped the Broncos break franchise training-camp attendance records for daily attendance (4,910 per day) and single-day attendance. Three training-camp practices from 2017 set the single-day record, including Aug. 4, which brought out 6,567 fans. That day now ranks second, behind Aug. 5's 7,085 attendance.
August 5 In his first training camp as head coach, Head Coach Vance Joseph had no difficulty grabbing his players' attention.
August 7 Because of inclement weather, the Broncos had to head indoors for one day during training camp, making the trip from the weight room to the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse for practice a short one.
August 10 DeMarcus Walker's eyes get big as he sees a loose football on the ground after a botched snap during the Broncos' preseason opener, his first NFL game as a rookie.
August 12 Amid the autograph frenzy after a training camp practice, a young fan dressed as famous Broncos superfan Barrel Man peers out toward the players.
August 19 First-round pick Garett Bolles takes a knee as he collects his thoughts before the Broncos' second preseason game against the 49ers. Head Coach Vance Joseph named Bolles the starting left tackle two days later.
August 26 The Broncos' preseason game against Green Bay became something of an afterthought in the immediate aftermath of the game as players stopped and gathered in the hallway to watch the boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor.
August 31 An elated Brandon McManus runs out of the tunnel during player introductions. Though offensive or defensive starters are usually announced for player introductions at home games, for the preseason finale, the team chose to have special teams starters run out of the tunnel.
August 31 The moon rises over Bucky during the Broncos' final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
August 31 Offensive tackle Garett Bolles and Von Miller celebrate in the locker room after the Broncos' win over the Cardinals in the preseason finale.
September 11 Emmanuel Sanders yells as he walks out with the American flag during player introductions for the Broncos' season opener against the Chargers.
September 11 After running in a score against the Chargers, an elated Trevor Siemian is lifted by offensive tackle Garett Bolles.
September 17 In part because of a strong running game led by C.J. Anderson, the Broncos started their season with impressive wins, including this one over the Cowboys.
September 17 Free-agent signee Domata Peko Sr. proved to be a valuable addition in 2017, helping revamp the Broncos' run defense into one of the best units in the league. Against the Cowboys, they held Ezekiel Elliott, the NFL's leading rusher from the previous season, to just 8 yards on nine carries.
September 17 Bennie Fowler III twists in midair to catch a pass, but officials ruled him out of bounds.
September 17 Cowboys reciverer Dez Bryant watches from the ground as Chris Harris Jr. returns an interception.
September 17 As the Cowboys threatened to score inside the Broncos' red zone, Aqib Talib turned a Cowboys scoring opportunity into a Broncos scoring opportunity, picking off Dak Prescott and returning the pass 102 yards for a touchdown.
September 27 Bennie Fowler III answers a question from Caleb Aldrich, a junior reporter from Children's Hospital Colorado.
September 27 Junior reporter Caleb Aldrich's feet hang off the bench he and Bennie Fowler III are sitting on during their interview.
November 5 Von Miller and Chris Harris Jr. combine to tackle recently acquired Eagles running back Jay Ajayi.
November 12 A fan relaxes in the sun by the Ring of Fame plaza's pillars before the Broncos' game against the Patriots.
November 12 Dressed in their finest Broncos gear, two dogs take a walk before the Broncos' game against the Patriots.
November 12 As flames shoot out of pillars by the Broncos' tunnel, service members run out with American flags to help celebrate the team's Salute to Service game.
November 19 Floyd Little laughs alongside Terrell Davis, who joined Little in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Davis became the fifth Bronco to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in August, and the Broncos celebrated Davis' career during the team's Week 11 game against Cincinnati.
November 19 Terrell Davis and his family look up as the Pro Football Hall of Fame logo is revealed next to his name on the Ring of Fame.
November 19 A sprawling Bengals defender falls as he fails to keep Demaryius Thomas from catching a touchdown.
November 19 Thunder runs onto the field before the Broncos' game against the Bengals.
November 19 After a torn ligament in his wrist derailed his preparation for what should have been a standout season, Shane Ray spent much of his season on injured reserve before returning at midseason with the cast on his left wrist. He got his first sack of the season here against Andy Dalton, but would eventually end his season on injured reserve.
November 19 The always emotive Will Parks reacts after recovering a blocked punt against the Bengals.
November 19 A referee watches as Brock Osweiler drops back to pass while a stunning sunset occurs overhead.
November 26 Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett corrals Raiders quarterback Derek Carr with his left hand as he pulls down his right arm to complete the strip sack.
December 3 President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway and Dolphins Special Advisor to the President and CEO Dan Marino talk before the Broncos' game against Miami. The two Hall of Fame quarterbacks were both drafted in 1983 and have stayed close since then.
December 3 Chris Harris Jr. outbattles Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills for an interception.
December 3 Dolphins tight end Anthony Fason struggles to blockgets help blocking Von Miller.
December 10 Von Miller raises his hand as he runs out of the tunnel during player introductions.
December 10 Reserve defensive end Shelby Harris stood out along the line even as the group had a dominant year from its starters. By the end of the year, Harris had become a starter after a neck injury sidelined Derek Wolfe. Here, Harris closes in on Jets quarterback Josh McCown for a sack.
December 10 Amid a trying season, Trevor Siemian showed the effort on this run that the entire team pulled together to end its eight-game losing streak.
December 10 Fullback Andy Janovich reaches across the goal line for a touchdown as the Broncos break their eight-game skid.
December 10 Demaryius Thomas escapes a shoestring tackle attempt by Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne.
December 10 Fans hold cutouts of Von Miller's and John Elway's heads during the Broncos' game against the Jets.
December 10 Von Miller dances after tackling running back Matt Forte, who is helped up from the ground by a teammate.
December 10 C.J. Anderson gives Garett Bolles a hug as the Broncos break their skid.
December 10 Fireworks launch after the Broncos' win over the Jets, as Trevor Siemian wanders toward the middle of the field to greet opposing players and coaches.
December 10 Demaryius Thomas bows his head as the team gathers around him in the locker room after the Broncos' win over the Jets.
December 14 Brock Osweiler dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Colts on "Thursday Night Football." After Trevor Siemian left the game with a season-ending shoulder injury, Osweiler entered the game and led the offense with a free-wheeling, fun style.
December 14 Jeff Heuerman arrives in the end zone all by himself after shoving aside Colts defenders for a 54-yard score.
December 14 Chris Harris Jr. enjoys the Broncos' dominant road win over the Colts as the game winds down. The team's losing streak had evoked frustrations, but the two-game winning streak that followed provided much-needed relief.
December 14 Devontae Booker leaves safety Clayton Geathers tackling air as he takes to the air to avoid being tackled. The play was ultimately called back by a holding penalty, but the move was definitely one to remember regardless.
