The original Thunder performed in Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII; Thunder III appeared in Super Bowl XLVIII and Super Bowl 50. He is loaded into a horse trailer and hauled out of the stadium at the two-minute warning. He longed for greener pastures; in fact, Miles wanted the greenest turf he could find. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. [13], The horses who have served as Thunder have been trained to remain calm in situations that would normally cause a horse to respond with a fight-or-flight response, such as the flashing explosions of a pyrotechnic display, or items suddenly landing on the field including skydivers with parachutes and various objects thrown by spectators, or loud music and the sounds associated with tens of thousands of cheering fans at Mile High. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Jan. 19, 2014. Your email address will not be published. [28], JB Kobask, a purebred Arabian stallion foaled in 1983, became the first live horse mascot for the Broncos in 1993 after a successful horse show career. Men's Nike Orange Denver Broncos Custom Game Jersey. So we can expect Thunder IV soon to be in Broncos games. DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 9: Ann Judge, riding Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, celebrates with fans after a Denver Broncos score against the Seattle Seahawks at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on . Thunder is perfect.. As we speak, Thunder is on a Fedex cargo plane, on his way to the Super Bowl. Who needs to step up as the Broncos look to score at leasttwomore touchdownspergame? Quantity. Horses represent power, strength, freedom, agility, and fighting spirit, the most crucial things youll need in the NFL. All Rights Reserved. He serves as a continual reminder that the Broncos are more than a team; they are a community. His only travel companions are Magness Blake, her farm manager Rudy, and Judge as they make the drive to Stanfords infamous Red Barn. The Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, ridden by Ann Judge-Wegener - Denver Broncos History The Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, ridden by Ann Judge-Wegener The Denver Broncos mascot Thunder, ridden by Ann Judge-Wegener is seen on the playing field during the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game The Denver Broncos are notorious for having thunderstorms throughout the fall and winter that is Thunder storming the field. The actual mascot, a horse named Thunder, was used for this newest . [2] During games, when he was waiting to perform, he had a tendency to watch players on the field. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. His registered name was JB Kobask, but the stallion was given the stage name Thunder for his mascot duties. [49] Nicknamed "Dos" by Judge, Thunder II has been described as somewhat timid with a more subdued personality than his predecessor. The Denver Broncos organization and our Denver community were forever changed on April 22, 2010, when the Broncos selected Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in the first round of the NFL Draft. And on Wednesday, Leech spoke to nearly a dozen current interns who held the same role that Leech once did. 12 / 14 Rider and trainer Ann Judge-Wegener holds the flag while atop Thunder. [12] Ann Judge has also remarked about the team getting "amped up" with energy and excitement as Thunder leads them onto the field, explaining that "To him, amped up means danger. [23], Thunder appears primarily at home games, but has been transported out-of-state when the Broncos played in the Super Bowl. For 30 years the Denver Broncos have been led into the field, at every home game, by a majestic Arabian horse called Thunder. Thunder kicked off Monday Night Football with a spirited entrance. [5] Following his recovery, he resumed his mascot duties and appeared at Super Bowl XXXII in January 1998. On this edition of "Broncos Country Connected," Austin Brink provides an exclusive look back at the Broncos' Week 10 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. IE 11 is not supported. The Chronicle of the Horse . He retired after the final home game of the 2013 season. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. Rider and trainer Ann Judge-Wegener holds the flag while atop Thunder. [4] Both Thunder II and Thunder III are stabled at Judge's farm in Bennett, Colorado. Thunder II served as the Broncos mascot for 10 years after taking the reins in 2004. Ann Judge rides Denver Broncos live mascot Thunder across the field after a Denver Broncos score during a game between the Denver Broncos and the. Rider and trainer Ann Judge has saddled-up Thunder I, II and III. I feel grateful to be the spokesperson for Thunder and, in doing so, for the Arabian breed. Thunder and his rider also interact with fans before the game; the horse is particularly popular with children, who are allowed to pet him. Denver Broncos Mascot - Thunder. Ships Free. He was also afraid of the cheerleaders' pom-poms. On this installment of "Broncos A to Z," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevens discusswhat went well and what didn'tin Denver's Week 6 loss to the Chargers. Thunder I was the teams first mascot from 1993 until 1996, and he was succeeded by Thunder II, who has been bringing the thunder since 1997. For the next year, Miles lived high in the Rockies with all of the other wild animals. [37] Thunder was also allowed to run in the end zone after a touchdown, but because MetLife Stadium was considered a neutral zone for both teams, he was not allowed to run the length of the field. [2] Thunder has gone up elevators, walked through indoor tunnels, has been ridden among the banquet tables at Magness-Blake's Western Fantasy fundraiser, and has attended indoor and outdoor press conferences. He retired after the final home game of the 2013 season. Pro Football Hall of FamerSteve Atwater and Gridiron's Michael McQuaid take a deep dive into some of the main storylines and matchups to keep an eye on as the Broncos and Jaguars take the international stage on Sunday. "[1] She describes the process by saying, "if something is fearful to him, as long as he looks to me, and I tell him hes OK, hes OK."[19] The only frightening stimuli that was an ongoing problem for both Thunder Sr. and Thunder II was when the crowd would perform the wave; Thunder Sr. would stand still, but tremble. Thunder appeared at Elway's 1999 retirement gala. Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. [1][18] Ann Judge has explained that because so many unexpected things can happen, it is important that the people working with him remain calm; it is trust in his rider and handlers, not just desensitization, that helps the horse remain steady: "You want them to look to you for the appropriate response and for confidence and faith so that the flight response doesnt get initiated. [19] Officially retired in 2014, Thunder II occasionally makes public appearances. The original Thunder debuted on Sept. 12, 1993, in a game. Thunder II served as the Broncos mascot for 10 years after taking the reins in 2004. 9News - January 2016. Finally, for more than a quarter-century, the Denver Broncos mascots have added entertainment and shenanigans to the games. Denver Broncos fans are no strangers to the legendary players whove donned the orange and blue, but what about the mischievous Denver Broncos mascot whos added an extra dose of humor and hootenanny to the field? [8], Thunder Sr. was noted for his bold and courageous personality,[11] and was described by Magness-Blake as having "a strong ego". "Oh my gosh.". The original Thunder (the only stallion) passed away several years ago, and Thunder II is retired at Magness Blakes farm in Silverton, Colorado. Before Miles came along, Huddles was the mascot chosen by Denver Broncos. Thunder shares mascot duties with Miles, a human who wears a horse head mask atop a Broncos uniform. [44] She has been the trainer and rider of Thunder II for his entire career with the Broncos,[13] and also does so for Thunder III. Next came the traditional presentation of colors Sharon Magness Blake circling the arena floor on Thunder, mascot of the Denver Broncos, as a recording of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the. On this episode of "BroncosAtoZ," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevensidentifysome of the most encouraging moments from the Broncos' Week 17 game against Kansas City. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Thunder made his Mile High debut on Sept. 12, 1993, during a Broncos victory over the San Diego Chargers. [19] Like the other horses, though, he dislikes pom-poms and was unsettled when fans in the stadium did the wave. Here's everything you need to know (and probably didn't know) about Thunder, the Denver Broncos mascot.SUBSCRIBE to ABC NEWS: https://www.youtube.com/ABCNews. The Denver Broncos mascots have been making fans laugh and smile for almost 25 years, and they have become a crucial aspect of the team. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," Steve Atwater, Orlando Franklin and Alexis Perry discuss what theBroncos' identitymight be down the stretch, who needs to step up with a few starters still battling injury and what to expectinWeek 10 as the Broncos head to Nashville to take on the Titans. [4] Thunder's mascot duties were expanded to include delivering the game ball to the referees at the start of each home game. He was exposed to a variety of situations, including open horse shows where he could become accustomed to crowds and activity. He came out of retirement to lead the Broncos Super Bowl 50 Championship parade. [1][2][a] Thunder's debut as team mascot was on September 12, 1993, during the Broncos' victory over the San Diego Chargers. Free shipping for many products! You May Also Like. One of the first stops on President Damani Leech's eventual journey to Denver was as an NCAA intern in Indianapolis. [8][33][41] She grew up poor in Philadelphia, and did not ride a horse until she was 20 years old. [4] During a February 4, 1997 press conference introducing the new logo, the team president and the art director for Nike, creators of the new design, described it as "a powerful horse with a fiery eye and mane. Eventually, he began turning to his handlers anticipating a treat whenever he saw a cheerleader with pom-poms. Tune into this Broncos Broadcast special airing Saturday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. MT on 9NEWS or catch it on the Broncos YouTube channel at 7 p.m. MT. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Add to Cart. One of three breed classifications, hot bloods are known for their speed and endurance. The Denver Broncos logo history spans more than five decades, and includes 5 major phases. {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Thunder is a purebred Arabian gelding that acts as the club's mascot. These mascots, from Miles the Horse to Thunder II, have been a vital part of the Broncos experience and will continue to provide fans with fun and excitement for many years. [9] Ann Judge calls him "Tres". Per Thunder's official media bio, the original Thunder, KB Kobask, was the mascot for 11 years before he retired at the beginning of 2004. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," the crew sets the scenefor Denver'sWeek 8showdownwiththe Jacksonville Jaguarsfrom the historic Wembley Stadium in London. He represents the Denver Broncos everlasting energy and dedication to their fans. All Rights Reserved. "To see a former player come back in the league and be a GM and win a Super Bowl as a player and win a Super Bowl as a GM?" You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. He routinely appears in parades, makes hospital and school visits, and attends various other public functions. (For comparison, cold bloods are slow and calm,. He was transported to the east coast in a FedEx cargo plane,[32] designed and equipped by Dutta Corporation specifically for transporting horses. The original Thunder started riding during Broncos home games - appearances are made pregame and following Denver scores - in 1993 and served as the team mascot for 11 years. Then, they look back at the Broncos' Week 8 win over the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium before rookie tight end Greg Dulcich shares some insight into what clicked for the Broncos' offense, especially in the second half, to help the Broncos snap their four-game losing streak. He became known as Thunder III, a 2000 Arabian gelding registered as Me N Myshadow. . The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Broncos Country made its presence known as the Broncos picked up its second consecutive win. Theyalso take a look at some of Denver's most dominant defensive players from overrecentweeks and outline how they might be able to make an impactinWeek 12 in Carolina. Copyright 2023 Denver Broncos. "Thunder III", a gelding registered as Me N Myshadow, was the understudy to Thunder II, and trained specifically for mascot duties beginning at age three when he was started under saddle. Then, BroncosVice Presidentof Community Development AllieEngelkenoutlines some of the greatest ways the players and organization havemade an impacton theColorado community and beyond over the past few months. Thunder has been portrayed by three horses over the yearsall Arabians owned and bred by Sharon Magness Blake. On this edition of "Broncos Weekend," Steve Atwater, Orlando Franklin and Alexis Perry discuss the directionin which the franchise is headed with Owner and CEO Greg Penner leading the search for the Broncos' next head coach.Also, Atwater and Franklin explain what fans might be able toexpect asInterimHeadCoachJerryRosburgfacesKansas City head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefsin his first game with the reins, as well as which Broncos players needto step upon New Year's Dayfor the Broncos to snap their 14-game losing streak to the Chiefs. [39] Thunder II, who was retired at the end of the 20132014 season after the Broncos won the AFC Championship game, had remained in Denver. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Broncos fans made their presence known on "Monday Night Football" against Kansas City. [24] While at home, Thunder arrives at Mile High approximately two-and-a-half hours before kickoff. The evening begins with Denvers most distinct opening tribute. Mascot Champ of the Dallas Mavericks tosses t-shirts during a timeout on December 12, 2022 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Every time the Broncos score a touchdown, Thunder will celebrate with fans by galloping across the gridiron. Only Miles didn't know the great things that were in store for him at this point. He also appeared at Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco. *An asterisk before the name of an Arabian horse indicates that the horse was imported to the United States. Select from premium Mascot Thunder of the highest quality. [14] Each time he makes a run, a four-person crew runs down the sidelines to the end zone to escort Thunder back to his sideline position. Thunder took the reins as the Broncos mascot at Super Bowl XLVIII in New York. family finished by Mrs. Roth. Thunder the horse was to be retired, Miles is the dressed up mascot and Bucky is the name of the Horse statue that resides ontop of the stadium. . Then, Alexis Perry sits down with undrafted rookie wide receiver Jalen Virgil, who shares some insight into his path to the NFL and breaks down his first touchdown as a Bronco. Thunder shares mascot . Broncos Country made themselves heard at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during the Broncos' Week 7 win over the Cardinals. [55] He is people friendly and has been described as "social" and "quite the poser". More than 20 of the Broncos' biggest stars including Hall of Famers John Elway, Terrell Davis and Steve Atwater come together to relive some of the best moments throughout the 1997 season and detail what it was like to finally hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Thunder III initially served as the understudy for Thunder II,[9] and was trained specifically for the role of team mascot from his start under saddle. "[7], The original Thunder, also known as Thunder Sr., was retired in 2004 after serving 11 years as the team mascot. Sharon explains it this way. Thunder III also made appearances in Times Square and on television morning news shows in New York City as part of the pre-game promotion for Super Bowl XLVIII. [11], Thunder leads the team onto the field at the beginning of each home game,[12] and typically gallops from one end of the field to the other whenever the team makes a touchdown. On this episode of "Broncos A to Z," Alexis Perry and Zac Stevens discuss how the Broncoskick-startedtheir offense in the second halfvs.Arizona, defensive linemanDeShawnWilliams explains what has sparked his game as of late andwe sharean early preview of the Broncos' Christmas Day showdown with theLos AngelesRams. He was raised by a herd of wild horses and taught how to survive the cold climate and high altitude. The mascot's first rider was Angela Moore, then a 19-year-old assistant trainer to Hudson and a graduate of Colorado State University. As of 2022[update], Thunder has appeared in four Super Bowls. Finally, hear some of the best sound bites from some of the Broncos' most vocal leaders from over the past month. [11] Judge grew up on an Arabian horse farm near West Lafayette, Indiana,[43] and graduated from Purdue University in 1980 with a degree in English Education. Three purebred Arabians have held this role since 1993, all gray horses whose coats lightened with age until they turned completely white. Well, in that great flash of heat and electricity was born the most amazing and dedicated Broncos fan ever, Miles. Required fields are marked *. Ethan Hardy is an avid gamer, beat composer, artist, and writer. The Denver Broncos' iconic mascot, Thunder, will lead the team on to the field at Super Bowl 50. How this music star is raising awareness about colorectal cancer, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife, son, Michelle Yeoh on how her mother congratulated her for Oscar nod, Michelle Yeoh: Everything Everywhere cast ended up as family. "If anybody can get that thing turned around out there, it's him.". How to Prepare Your Roof for Winter: 5 Essential Tips for Homeowners, 5 Ways to Keep Your Home Cozy and Save Money on Heating All Winter Long, Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke What To Watch For and 12 Tips To Avoid It. Thunder III may differ from his predecessors on the field, but Judge describes him as the perfect blend of each of their personalities. All Rights Reserved. She is also a horse show judge who has adjudicated national and international events.