SAN FRANCISCO — With a Broncos flag waving from the window of the cockpit, the chartered Boeing 767 wheeled gingerly to Mineta San Jose International Airport, where black-and-gold Super Bowl 50 barriers lined the tarmac to keep back the cheering fans last Sunday.
Slowly the United flight came to a stop, and the airstairs soon turned into a red carpet for the Broncos, their coaches and their flamboyant suits.
Standing at the base, awaiting their arrival, was Terrell Davis, a former tailback who twice had been in their position, in 1998 and 1999. He stood bearing gifts, Super Bowl 50 caps, that he handed out, one by one to the players.