What a great new concept for the Forum and, on a personal note, Atwater is one of my all-time favorites on my all-time favorite team, the Denver Broncos. Now for some amazing timing. I bought the basement bargain Atwater jersey pictured in Eric's post below ($178 bucks on ebay). Thanks to Pat Scoggin and his first-rate Endzone webpage, I knew that, if legit, the jersey could only be from the 1992 season. Well today, I was able to photomatch the jersey to the below photo of Atwater tackling KC Chiefs Barry Word on October 4, 1992. While the jersey has more wear than the point that the photo was taken, you can clearly match two side-by-side tears on one shoulder, a distinct mark on one shoulder numeral, several loose threads on nameplate and, in places, it even appears that the mesh holes on the jersey match up with the location of the mesh holes in the photo. So, if that ain't enough, like most Broncos fans, I actually remember this game. Why? Well, that was a signature Elway comeback game. SI rated it as the number 2 of all Elway's comebacks (after "the Drive" against Browns in AFC Title game). As described the 2/10/99 SI issue:
- # 2 - Sports Illustrated Greatest Elway Comebacks (Issue 2/10/99)
OCTOBER 4, 1992
MILE HIGH STADIUM
DENVER 20, KANSAS CITY 19
It happened to Schottenheimer again. Actually, it happened to him seven more times after he left the Browns to become head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989, but that's what playing Elway twice a year will get you. Perhaps Schottenheimer's worst moment came on Oct. 4, 1992, at Mile High Stadium.
Denver's offense hadn't scored a touchdown in 12 quarters and trailed the Chiefs 19-6. What's more, Kansas City had spent most of the day knocking Elway to the ground. But he kept popping up and finally got Denver into the end zone on a 25-yard pass to Jackson with 1:55 left. After the Broncos held on defense and returned a punt to the Chiefs' 27, Elway conjured a three-play drive that ended with a 12-yard pass to Vance Johnson with 38 seconds left. Final score: 20-19. "No matter how hard you hit him, he just gets back up and wants more," said defensive end Neil Smith. "Elway is the best two-minute quarterback I've ever played against." Smith's linemate Bill Maas was slightly less anxious to talk about Elway after the game. In a barely audible voice he said, "This is about the sickest feeling I've ever had."



Just thought I would share my story! Thanks!