Brad Buckalew is a strapping guy who could dwarf some NFL players, and while he has never strapped on an orange helmet, this is his 20th season in an orange jersey at Denver Broncos games.
But the most important action for him is cooking up a storm in the Lot M parking lot opposite Sports Authority Field at Mile High, where he is surrounded by thousands of other fans at the gathering of tribes known as the tailgate party.
For these people, the pregame festival is so much more than burgers and beer, though make no mistake, that time-honored combo is observed.