Before the kickoff of Super Bowl XLVIII, Denver Broncos fans gathered at hotspots and with friends and family for what they hoped would be a memorable experience.
Four hours later, many were disappointed, hopeful that they can forget the one-sided 43-8 victory by the Seattle Seahawks.
In Mancos, good and bad memories are part of the game.
They are enshrined in the home of Pat and Loraine Archuleta.
During the course of more than three decades, through the help of friends and trips to games and flea markets, the Archuletas have assembled a museum's worth of team goods.
A 16-by-40-foot room includes a Broncos Christmas tree colored blue and orange and adorned with dozens of Broncos ornaments. On the floor below, a train of Broncos cars chugs around a short track. Deeper into the room you'll find a 3-foot-high Broncos kachina doll, 8-by-10-inch signed posters, signed football cards, key chains, 82 belt buckles, jerseys, a couple of sand paintings, signed footballs and cleats. All Broncos-themed.
This is no secret in Mancos. The Mancos Valley Bank borrowed some of Archuleta's pennants, jerseys and hats to display Friday. Someone leading tours of the town wanted to add the room as a stop; the Archuletas politely declined.
"People expect the towels and the bedspreads," Pat Archuleta says during a recent tour. But when they step into the room and see the extent, they're surprised.
"I've actually had people shout when they've walked in the door - 'Whoah!'" he says.
Ironically, one of his most prized possessions is a Detroit Lions jersey. But there's a good reason.
The No. 94 uniform was worn by Luther Elliss, a 1991 Mancos graduate who played on a Mancos High team quarterbacked by Leo Archuleta, Pat and Loraine's son.
But don't fret, Broncos fans. There's also a humongous Luther Elliss cleat signed by several Broncos when Elliss played defensive line for them in 2004. Elliss now is retired and lives in Salt Lake City but continues to keep in touch with the Archuletas.
The Archuletas have simple game rituals. Pat paces the floor when the going gets tough, and Loraine will fold her hands or sit on them.
Quarterbacks Peyton Manning (Denver) and Russell Wilson (Seattle) may think it's the way they throw the ball. Coaches John Fox (Denver) and Pete Carroll (Seattle) may think they have a role.
But maybe today's winner is determined off the field, perhaps far, far away, by those whose loyalty will outlive the career of any player or coach: You, the fan.
johnp@durangoherald.com
