SportS&outdoorS Thursday, July 25, 2019 Report scores to Shelby Reardon, sports editor, at 970-871-4253 or [email protected] 13 SPOKE TALK Trail courtesy — Be a good trail ambassador any years ago, I worked for a horse outfitter. He was a crusty, M old curmudgeon of a man, but every time we found ourselves on a multi- use trail, he would bend over backwards to be friendly and polite to every person we encountered. “Some people don’t like horses on these trails,” he told me. “Remember, whenever IRA GAY SEALY/THE DENVER POST you’re out here, you are an ambassador for Broncos quarterbacks John McCormick, left, and Mickey Slaughter prepare for snaps from Jerry Sturm, left, and Larry Kaminski in all horseback riders.” 1966. It was an important lesson, and one that I carry with me to this day, particularly as a mountain biker on our local trails. We are, each of us, ambassadors to our sports. Whether you’re on a mountain bike or a From underrated to best horse, trail running or hiking with your dogs, remember that you are the ambassa- seven special-teams players. Every player the team’s conception in 1960. dor for your sport to every other trail user Kaminski named or their family will receive a commemora- “I would hope the fans remember me as you encounter that day. tive game ball, and a few team members a hard-working player as somebody that You have probably seen the Trail Courte- to Broncos all-time will be invited to “Fantennial Weekend” did my best, and I was involved in the sy Triangle at most trailheads. It indicates and will be recognized ahead of the game community in terms of trying to get the that bikers yield to hikers and horses, and Top 100 player list against the Tennessee Titans new stadium back in the day,” Kaminski hikers yield to horses. The reason for this on Sunday, Oct. 13. Ka- said. “I would hope they felt that I is fairly simple. Even the best horses can Shelby Reardon minski isn’t sure if he’ll be was a good player, a guy that be unpredictable. Fast moving objects, Steamboat Pilot & Today attending the event yet. gave his best and did a like bikes, can be unfamiliar and scary to Unlike most of the lot for the Broncos in my animals. When a horse spooks, it can en- STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — In 1966, names next to his, Kamins- eight years.” danger all of the users on the trail, not just Purdue graduate Larry Kaminski was an ki wasn’t drafted, even after being its rider. undrafted free agent and an undersized named to the first team All-Big Ten team POST-FOOTBALL When you are approaching a horse and center, ready to start a business career following his senior year at Purdue. In 1974, after eight years in the orange rider, announce yourself calmly and clearly rather than realize a dream of playing in Under head coach Mac Speedie, offen- uniform, Kaminski retired. He and for- from a safe distance away. Stop, put a foot the NFL. sive line coach Ray Malvasi gave Kamins- mer Denver teammate Walt Barnes were down and ask the rider the safest way to More than 50 years later, the Steamboat ki a chance, signing him to the Broncos awarded the Anheuser-Busch franchise proceed. Springs business owner was named to the squad. The rookie started most games that for Northwest Colorado, bringing B&K In most cases, you will find that the rider Denver Broncos all-time Top 100 Team. year, and the Broncos went 4-10. Distributing to Steamboat in 1977. Ka- will want to pull their horse off to the side “To me, it’s probably the greatest honor I The next year, Lou Saban took over as minski’s son Chris now runs the business, of the trail where the horse can watch you have, being a free agent and being named head coach until John Ralston came in and Larry lives in Poulsbo, Washington. ride by. If nothing extraordinary happens, with the 100 players that were really, real- 1972. With each change in staff, Kaminski “The time that Larry really was here in congratulations. You were a great ambas- ly great players,” Kaminski said. “There’s had to prove himself all over again. town, before he moved out west, this was sador for bikers. a lot of tremendous football players there “The thing that I’m really proud of is a much smaller community. Larry was a A couple of weeks ago, a friend and I and to have my name mentioned with that I made it eight years, and I had a lot larger-than-life figure in our town in those were riding our horses near Stagecoach them is beyond belief for me and a won- of coaches,” Kaminski said. “I had a lot days,” Steamboat photographer Rod Han- Reservoir, and we were approached by derful surprise and a great, great honor.” of coaches, and every coach that came in na said. “Larry was very well known and a biker who did not announce himself, Kaminski, who started B&K Distribut- thought I was too small, and they brought well respected within the community.” did not stop pedaling, ignored repeated ing, is listed alongside legendary quarter- in somebody bigger. But every year, I Hanna was the Kansas City Chiefs pho- requests to stop and who eventually fell backs John Elway and Peyton Manning managed to make the starting lineup. tographer while Kaminski was playing for almost directly underneath my horse. as well as current linebacker Von Miller. That in itself was something I’m extremely the Broncos. The two didn’t meet until He was a perfect example of what not to Kaminski is one of five centers on the list proud of.” Hanna moved to Steamboat in 1975. At do and a bad ambassador for mountain and one of 17 who started playing in the While playing for the Broncos, Kamins- one point, Hanna was the official pho- bikers. 1960s. ki made an impact on and off the field. tographer of the Broncos, so he said he On the other hand, this past Sunday, I According to the Broncos website, 5,000 Not only was he a Rookie of the Year probably has a few “accidental: photos of was riding my bike down MGM on Emer- fans voted to help determine who was finalist, but in his second season in the Kaminski somewhere in the archives. ald Mountain when I hit a deep patch of named to the list, along with team his- NFL, he was named to the All-AFL team Hanna recalls seeing Kaminski at moon dust and augured myself face-first torian Jim Saccomano and senior digital and played in the All-Star game. He was The Tugboat frequently. He recalled into the trail. reporter Andrew Mason. a Man of the Year nominee in 1972 and Kaminski being “fiercely loyal” to the The All-Time top 100 team has 47 of- 1973. Also in 1973, Kaminski helped Den- SPOKE TALK, 14 fensive players, 46 defensive players and ver to its first-ever winning season since BRONCOS, 14 14 | Thursday, July 25, 2019 | Steamboat Pilot & Today SPORTS FILE PHOTO Larry Kaminski, who started B&K Distributing in Steamboat Springs, played for the Denver Broncos from 1966 to 1973. BRONCOS For me to be able to stay in Steamboat From page 13 and have the support I did from the local Anheuser-Busch brand. community. … To remember me as one of the “If you were a friend of “best players, it’s the greatest honor I’ve had to this Larry’s and you got caught point in time for my 19 years that I played from drinking a Coors beer, you were in big trouble,” Hanna beginning to end. said. ” Larry Kaminski At 74, Kaminski is retired Former Denver Bronco center and enjoys a life filled with fishing and antiquing with Kaminski said he sought to protect their brand as his wife. In his voicemail help to combat symptoms much as possible,” Kamins- message, he identifies him- of what is known as chronic ki said. “I do what I can to NOMINATIONS self as “Captain Larry,” an traumatic encephalopathy, support the players that are ode to his former fishing or CTE. suffering, because there’s a business, Captain Larry’s Kaminski was one of lot of them out there that ARE NOW OPEN! Adventures. He also fills re- the original filers in a need the help. There’s guys tirement by spending time lawsuit against the NFL, that are kind of dropped with his 13 grandchildren. claiming the league knew to the sideline and for me, He gets back to his alma about and covered up the that’s not right. Anything I mater in Lafayette, Indi- effects of head injuries, can do to help any of those ana, often for homecoming and he joined a workers’ guys, I will do what I can.” weekend. Purdue has been compensation suit against Even though Kamins- ingrained in his bloodline. the Broncos. Around the ki was born in Ohio and Let us know who you Two of his sons are Pur- same time, he donated now resides in the Pacific due graduates, a pair of 40 “guardian caps” to the Northwest, his name has think is the grandsons are at Purdue, Steamboat Springs High become a Steamboat sta- a daughter-in-law and her School football team as ple.