“RIP Brother”: Hours Before Patrick Mahomes War, Denver Broncos Loses a Soldier

Not many NFL fans knew the very unassuming superfan from Denver—a life spent in orange Halloween-like costumes and a staunch belief that resonated with the spirits of the High Mile Magic. A ticket lottery win to the 1998 Super Bowl and favorite team win later, this lifelong season ticket holder since 1964 made his official debut at the playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005.

It wasn’t easy to recognize him on the street. However, you would surely know his alter ego, the Mile High Monster. Kerry Green would famously dress up in a pom-pom costume and watch Denver Broncos home games. The superfan of the Orange Crush devoted the past 16 years of his life to the team and, in return, received a precious gift from them. With his passing on Sunday, the stadium will miss a familiar face in the Broncos’ next game against the Chiefs.

The Denver Broncos’ void cannot be filled

Kerry Green passed away just hours before Russell Wilson‘s Sunday kickoff against the New York Jets. In an emotional tribute, the Broncos shared a post on X. “We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Kerry Green, a long-time season ticket member most famously known as the iconic Mile High Monster. You’ll forever be in the hearts of #BroncosCountry!” it said. According to reports, Green had been battling an illness and was hospitalized, where he ultimately passed away.

In an interview with Denver Post, inspired by the Cousin Itt of “The Addams Family,” Green turned towards the love for pom-poms, which he chanced upon an unattended stash near a stadium gate. Green recalled when the costume idea first struck, “Originally when they opened up Invesco they started putting the pompoms on everyone’s seats and I had this vision for a Halloween costume like cousin it from ‘The Adams Family.’”

While it took him a few years to collect enough, the day soon happened when he just had enough. “We tell everyone we kept on collecting them. But actually what happened is I was walking out of a game one day and the full boxes of pompoms were just sitting right next to the gate! I picked one up, threw it over my shoulder and walked out and no one said a word.”

“The team went to the playoffs and I said ‘Let’s get crazy’ made the suits. We’re lucky to have them come out the way they did.”

Clad in over 500 orange pom-poms, he turned them into an outfit, complemented by orange face paint and sunglasses. Eventually, his son joined him, and together they became the Mile High Monsters. Following his passing, Broncos fans have come together to honor this iconic figure and superfan.

Read more: 12 Years of Hardwork Leads to Russell Wilson’s Big Update

‘NFL season gets worse’ with the death of Kerry Green

Although it took several years to collect a good quantity of pom-poms from the stadiums, he gave birth to the iconic pom-pom man. Following his passing, countless Broncos fans have been sharing their photos taken with Kerry Green in loving memory of him. One fan expressed, “RIP brother. 👊🏼”
Someone added, “This season gets worse.”
Recalling their memories, a person commented, “Devastating. He was at my first Bronco game in 1999 if I remember correctly. And I saw him at many others, too. Him and the dang Jester! 🙏🏻❤️🤘🏼”

Sharing photos, another fan wrote, “I’m so sad! 🥹”
Yet another fan said, “Dang it. An incredible fan. He made Broncos Country proud. He and his family have created an incredible tradition in which all broncos fans are grateful for. Thank you, Kerry… may you rest in orange and blue heaven.”

Several fans also requested the Broncos to honor him during the upcoming game against the Chiefs at Arrowhead on October 12. Meanwhile, Green’s family is planning to commemorate his memory at an upcoming Broncos tailgate event.

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