Barrel Man, famed Broncos superfan, dies at 69

[Old School]

Dec 06, 2009 12:10 pm EST
Barrel Man, famed Broncos superfan, dies at 69

By Chris Chase

If he wasn't the most famous fan in the NFL, Tim McKernan was close to the top. He was certainly the least-dressed.
Known throughout the NFL simply as Barrel Man, McKernan became renowned during the '80s and '90s for showing up to Broncos games dressed in nothing more than a barrel held up by suspenders. Even on the coldest of winter evenings in the Mile High City, there was McKernan: bare-chested as usual.
He started the tradition in 1977 after making a $10 bet that he could get on TV during a game. Thirty-two years later, after two Super Bowl wins, inductions into the fans Hall of Fame and a personal invite to John Elway's Hall of Fame induction and a nickname known throughout the NFL, McKernan was just as big a part of Denver's NFL tradition as any coach or player.
Saturday, he passed away at the age of 69 after a long illness.
The Denver Post has a nice obituary in today's editions, complete with stories of the barrel's orgin, the retirement ceremony given to him by the Broncos and McKernan's favorite opposing fans (the Raiders, surprisingly). Not mentioned is this rousing rendition of "I Love El-Way", which appeared on Denver-area TV stations in the late-'80s.

Dec. 20 against the Oakland Raiders. Expect to see some barrel-clad fans paying tribute.​

 

[Jaxx]

RIP

Barrel man was a icon.

 

[Dead Money]

RIP

Barrel man was a icon.

Will he buried in the can?

Coffins are pricey...:shrug:

 

[Old School]

Tim McKernan, "Barrel Man" to Broncos fans, dies at 69

<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Annette Espinoza
The Denver Post
<!--date-->Posted: 12/05/2009 10:42:39 AM MST
<!--secondary date-->Updated: 12/05/2009 07:12:01 PM MST


Tim McKernan, aka the "Barrel Man." (Denver Post file)


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<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } </SCRIPT>Tim "Barrel Man" McKernan, an avid Broncos fan who was known for wearing a barrel, cowboy hat, cowboy boots and not much else, died in his sleep this morning of lung failure. He was 69.
McKernan, a former United Airlines mechanic, began wearing a barrel in 1977 after making a $10 bet with his brother, Scott, that by wearing one he could get on television.
McKernan won the bet and the barrel he had painted to look like an Orange Crush soda can became his signature costume and resulted in him becoming one of the Broncos' most recognized fans and a popular mascot.
"He liked the attention, he loved inspiring the fans and had a take-charge attitude," said Tim's son, Todd McKernan, who said he was 17 when his dad first donned the costume.
"My kids grew up knowing grandpa in the barrel," he added.
The elder McKernan had attended Broncos games since 1967 and had only missed four. In 2003, an aneurysm left him in the intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction . He was confined to a wheelchair and placed on oxygen, but later recovered.
About six years ago, he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or scarring of the lung. this past September, his breathing became more difficult. He was hospitalized, but came home three weeks ago to receive hospice care, his family said.
In 2007, McKernan retired his barrel and was honored by the Broncos during a halftime show where he was presented with a team football and other gifts and lots of fan appreciation that moved him to tears.
A memorial service for McKernan is pending
Annette Espinoza: 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com

 

[IowaDonk]

RIP Barrel Man! One of the best!

 

[krc]

RIP Barrel Man!



krc

 

[Old School]

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[bakerboyz]

One of the greatest fans ever! RIP. :sadwave:

 

[Hersh24]

RIP Barrel Man

I grew up going to Broncos games, went to over 100 home games as a kid and Barrel Man was a staple of my youth. What a great fan and I hope they put him in the ring of honor.

 

[vinnie]

R.I.P :sadwave:

 

[DerrickTulips]

RIP

 

[hawkeye]

Really a great guy!! Think they ought to put him in the ring of fame!