Broncos prove it's not just about wins on the field

There is a common sentiment for fans of the Denver Broncos.

Heck, even the organization has bought into this belief.

“Broncos Country isn’t just a phrase or place, it’s a way of life.”

We get proof of that statement countless times, even in the midst of the season. If you tried, there is no measure to what Pat Bowlen and the Broncos mean to this community.

It goes beyond football. It’s about giving back to the city, state and region that give so much to the organization.

We got the most recent example of that on Friday when the Broncos announced there partner, Noble Energy, will present a check to Denver Public Schools next Monday for $40,000, according to a press release from the organization.

During each home Broncos game throughout the 2014 season, Noble Energy made a commitment to donate $1,000 to DPS Foundation each time the Broncos offense entered the red zone.

Denver made 40 red zone appearances in 2014, resulting in a $40,000 donation from Noble Energy.

“The Denver Public Schools Foundation is deeply grateful for community partners like Noble Energy,”DPS Foundation President & CEO Kristin Colon said. “Their multifaceted commitment to DPS, which includes financial investment as well as employee volunteer time, represents the type of holistic support that truly makes a difference for our kids and our schools.”

But it doesn’t stop there. If there is an organization that does more for its community, you won’t find one.

One of the best examples is the Drive for Life that the Broncos and Bonfils Blood Center host each year. The 2014 edition took place in October, and, according the Broncos’ website, was the single largest blood drive in the history of Colorado. It was the 17th edition of the blood drive.

The website said, “In 2014, more than 1,620 donations were collected leading up to and during the event, which translated to more than 4,860 lives that will be saved or enhanced as a result of the donations.”

Remember, the blood drive took place during the season and 30 members of the team still showed up to escort donors to the beds and visit with people as they gave blood, in addition to spending time in the “Fan Zone.” One of those players was defensive end DeMarcus Ware.

“People are here, every hour on the hour giving blood,” he told the Broncos website. “It’s great to see them here and seeing that they’re having a great time. It just shows how important it is.”

Often times fans take what happens on the field as “life or death.” Some members of Broncos Country are still distraught as to what happened against the Indianapolis Colts in the playoff game.

The success on the field doesn’t define the Broncos – as individuals or an organization. Just like any of us, our jobs are a part of who we are but they don’t tell the whole story.

What does define who we are is what we do as people. Do we donate our time? Do we help others in need? Do we give blood? Do we try to make someone else smile who has no reason to? That’s what defines us. That’s what matters.

Do we donate money to our education system?

Thanks to Mr. Bowlen, the Broncos get that. Most of the players on the roster understand what it means to play for this organization and the expectations that come with that. It’s not just about wins and Lombardi Trophies when you play for the Broncos. Make no mistake, when it comes to football the expectation is to hold the Lombardi Trophy. The same will hold true this season.

But the Broncos are about more than football. More than the amount of trophies they show off at the lobby of the facilities at Dove Valley.

That’s because Broncos Country isn’t just a phrase or place, it’s a way of life.