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Talk about a Mile High-plus example of Broncos pride: Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has temporarily renamed all the 14ers in the state after Denver players. The numbers work out well: The standard NFL roster boasts 53 players -- and the number of Colorado 14ers just happens to be 53. That means even lesser known Broncos (including linebacker Brandon Marshall -- not the receiver of the same name traded in 2010) are getting a peak experience. Check out Hick's proclamation and the complete list, supplemented by videos. Here's the full text of the 14ers proclamation:
WHEREAS, the State of Colorado is confident that the Denver Broncos will beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII; and
WHEREAS, the Denver Broncos gave Coloradans a lot to be proud of this season, including becoming the first team in NFL history to score more than 600 points in a single season and winning the AFC Championship; and
WHEREAS, Seattle makes some, well, OK beer; and
WHEREAS, the Seahawks have a 12th man, whatever, while the Denver Broncos have the greatest fans -- men, women and children -- in pro sports; and
WHEREAS, we are proud of the majestic mountains in Colorado, which is home to 53 14ers - the same number of players on the Denver Broncos' active roster; and
WHEREAS, Peyton Manning bears a symbolic resemblance to Mount Elbert, the tallest 14er in Colorado, because he stands tall as an extraordinary leader of the Broncos; and
WHEREAS, Matt Prater kicks the football long - an NFL record 64 yards long - and could be compared to Longs Peak; and
WHEREAS, the Broncos offensive line stands together, like our Collegiate Peaks, rooted into the earth and preventing anyone from getting to Peyton Manning; and
WHEREAS, there are many other connections between other 14ers and players as referenced below;
Therefore, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby hurry up and proclaim Sunday, February 2, 2014, DENVER BRONCOS-MANIA DAY.
And here are the renamed peaks:
Mount Elbert 14,443 feetPeyton Manning: Bears a symbolic resemblance to Mount Elbert, the tallest fourteener in Colorado, because he stands tall as an extraordinary leader of the Broncos.
Mount Massive 14,421 feet
Terrance Knighton: A.k.a. Pot Roast.
Mount Harvard 14,420 feet
Zane Beadles: He, along with others on the offensive line, are as formidable as the line of Collegiate Peaks.
Blanca Peak 14,345 feet
Mitch Unrein: He blocks and tackles.
La Plata Peak 14,336 feet
Jacob Tamme: Just as this is an impressive peak among the Collegiate Peaks, this tight end is an impressive addition to the offense.
Uncompahgre Peak 14,309 feet
Steven Johnson: His defense is straightforward and uncomplicated.
Crestone Peak 14,294 feet
Steve Vallos: Like this peak, which is surrounded by other looming fourteeners, this center is the rock of an impressive offensive line.
Mount Lincoln 14,286 feet
Winston Justice: His name itself, and his humanitarian work in Uganda and Haiti, reflect the name of this majestic peak.
Grays Peak 14,270 feet
Eric Decker: Grays and Torreys are right next to each other, just like Decker and Demaryius Thomas.
Mount Antero 14,269 feet
Malik Jackson: This defensive end watches everyone's back.
Continue to see more of the Colorado 14ers temporarily renamed for Broncos players -- and ex-Bronco Brandon Marshall.
Torreys Peak 14,267 feetDemaryius Thomas.
Castle Peak 14,265 feet
Duke Ihenacho: Because only a duke could vanquish a castle-like offense.
Quandary Peak 14,265 feet
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie: His coverage proves to be a quandary for opposing quarterbacks.
Mount Evans 14,264 feet
Nate Irving: This linebacker forms an imposing backdrop to opponents just as this peak does to Denver.
Longs Peak 14,255 feet
Matt Prater: He kicks 'em long (set an NFL record with a 64-yard field goal vs. Tennessee).
Mount Wilson 14,246 feet
Shaun Phillips: Leads the Broncos in sacks this year and will be taking down Russell Wilson.
Mount Shavano 14,229 feet
Marquice Cole.
Mount Belford 14,197 feet
Andre Caldwell: Like this peak's inclusion with other Collegiate Peaks, he joins an imposing offense.
Crestone Needle 14,197 feet
Brock Osweiler: At 6-foot-8, he makes all opponents appear as thin as this fourteener.
Mount Princeton 14,197 feet
Manny Ramirez.
Continue to see more of the Colorado 14ers temporarily renamed for Broncos players -- and ex-Bronco Brandon Marshall.
Mount Yale 14,196 feetLouis Vasquez.
Mount Bross 14,172 feet
Jeremy Mincey.
Kit Carson Peak 14,165 feet
Aaron Brewer: His long snaps find their path just as Kit Carson found paths through the frontier.
Maroon Peak 14,156 feet
Mike Adams: He maroons opponents due to his tackling prowess (posted a game-high nine tackles and intercepted a pass that led to a Broncos touchdown at Houston).
Tabeguache Peak 14,155 feet
Chris Kuper.
Mount Oxford 14,153 feet
Chris Clark.
Mount Sneffels 14,150 feet
Zac Dysert: In the shadow of Manning, the QB may be sniffling for not playing but is tops nonetheless.
Mount Democrat 14,148 feet
Tony Carter: Working on a second degree in political science.
Capitol Peak 14,130 feet
Champ Bailey: Rated the most difficult peak to climb on 14ers.com.
Pikes Peak 14,110 feet
Joel Dreessen: A Colorado mountain for a Colorado State University Ram and only player on the roster to graduate from a Colorado university.
Continue to see more of the Colorado 14ers temporarily renamed for Broncos players -- and ex-Bronco Brandon Marshall.
Snowmass Mountain 14,092 feetWesley Woodyard.
Mount Eolus 14,083 feet
Sione Fua: An eloquent name, like this peak.
Windom Peak 14,082 feet
Ronnie Hillman: This running back runs like the wind.
Challenger Point 14,081 feet
Montee Ball: He was a challenger for the Heisman Trophy in 2011.
Mount Columbia 14,073 feet
Orlando Franklin.
Missouri Mountain 14,067 feet
Sylvester Williams: He was born in Missouri.
Humboldt Peak 14,064 feet
Knowshown Moreno: He "bolts" off the line. Ranked fifth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage at 1,586 and tied for fifth with 13 touchdowns in 2013. Became the first player in franchise history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season in 2013.
Mount Bierstadt 14,060 feet
Robert Ayers: Just like the way that Ayers makes tackling look easy, this peak is one of the easiest peaks to summit.
Sunlight Peak 14,059 feet
Omar Bolden: He is known for his power of positive thinking and is not blinded by any sunshine in his tackling prowess.
Handies Peak 14,048 feet
Quentin Jammer: Known for giving a hand to his teammates and through his Jammer Family Foundation helping foster teens.
Culebra Peak 14,047 feet
Michael Huff.
Continue to see more of the Colorado 14ers temporarily renamed for Broncos players -- and ex-Bronco Brandon Marshall.
Mount Lindsey 14,042 feetParis Lenon.
Ellingwood Point 14,042 feet
Britton Colquitt: He would be able to land a punt on this point.
Little Bear Peak 14,037 feet
Trindon Holliday: He's 5-foot-5 but is as tough as they come.
Mount Sherman 14,036 feet
Wes Welker: Let's see Richard Sherman cover Wes. Right, good luck with that.
Redcloud Peak 14,034 feet
Virgil Green.
Pyramid Peak 14,018 feet
Danny Trevathan: Like the Pyramids of Giza, Trevathan's defense is a wonder of the world.
Wilson Peak 14,017 feet
Brandon Marshall.
Wetterhorn Peak 14,015 feet
Vinston Painter.
San Luis Peak 14,014 feet
Kayvon Webster.
Mt. of the Holy Cross 14,005 feet
David Bruton: His alma mater is Notre Dame.
Huron Peak 14,003 feet
C.J. Anderson: Another impressive peak in the Collegiate Peaks, he is a fine addition to the offense.
Sunshine Peak 14,001 feet
Julius Thomas: Because he always makes himself available to find the sunshine through the defenders and make the catch.
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
More from our Sports archive: "Top ten Broncos quotes from Super Bowl media day."
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