Synopsis
If These Walls Could Talk: Denver Broncos: Stories from the Denver Broncos Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box, authored by Dave Logan and Arnie Stapleton with a foreword by John Elway, offers an engaging, insider’s perspective on the storied history of the Denver Broncos, focusing primarily on key moments and figures from the John Elway era through the 2010s. Dave Logan, the longtime voice of the Broncos since 1990 and a former NFL player, including a stint with the team in 1984, brings a unique blend of personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and candid opinions to the narrative. Co-author Arnie Stapleton, an Associated Press NFL writer based in Denver, complements Logan’s storytelling with detailed facts, statistics, and historical context, creating a vivid tapestry of the team’s highs and lows. The book, published by Triumph Books in September 2020, spans 331 pages and serves as a nostalgic journey for Broncos fans, though it deliberately avoids being a comprehensive chronicle of the franchise’s entire history.
The narrative centers on the most iconic figures and eras in Broncos history, with significant emphasis on John Elway, Peyton Manning, head coach Mike Shanahan, and late owner Pat Bowlen, all of whom played pivotal roles in the team’s success. Logan’s firsthand experiences as a broadcaster and former player provide intimate glimpses into the locker room, sideline, and press box, including memorable moments like his interactions with Elway during Super Bowl XXXII, where Elway’s confidence in a comeback victory shone through. The book delves into the cultural phenomena surrounding players like Tim Tebow, whose brief but electrifying tenure in Denver garners substantial attention due to his pop culture impact, despite never reaching a Super Bowl. Manning’s four-year stint with the Broncos, culminating in Super Bowl 50, is another focal point, with Logan and Stapleton exploring his leadership and legacy. The narrative also touches on other Broncos legends like Von Miller, Terrell Davis, and Shannon Sharpe, though some players from the 1990s and 2000s, such as Tom Nalen, Mark Schlereth, and Clinton Portis, receive less coverage, reflecting the book’s focus on highlight-driven eras.
Logan’s storytelling is infused with humor and candor, recounting off-the-wall anecdotes that range from his near altercation with former coach Dan Reeves to an on-air confrontation with general manager John Beake. These stories, paired with Stapleton’s meticulous reporting, offer fans a front-row seat to the drama, triumphs, and personalities that defined the Broncos. The book also reflects on the team’s evolution under Bowlen’s ownership and Shanahan’s coaching, particularly during the back-to-back Super Bowl victories in the late 1990s. However, it consciously sidesteps a exhaustive recounting of certain periods, such as the early to mid-1990s and the entire 2000s, prioritizing instead the moments and players that resonated most with fans and media. This selective approach makes the book more of a celebration of Broncos’ highlights than a definitive history, appealing especially to fans familiar with the Elway, Manning, and Tebow eras.
While the book is lauded for its engaging prose and fresh insights, particularly for newer fans or those seeking a refresher on the last three decades of Broncos football, some longtime fans may find it lacking in new revelations. Reviews note that Logan’s promised behind-the-scenes insights occasionally fall short of expectations, with some stories feeling familiar to dedicated followers of the team. Nevertheless, the book’s strength lies in its ability to evoke nostalgia and capture the essence of what makes the Broncos a beloved franchise. It includes lighthearted moments, like Logan’s reflections on Denver media figures like Irv Brown, and serious discussions about the team’s challenges and triumphs. Ultimately, If These Walls Could Talk is a heartfelt tribute to the Broncos’ legacy, best suited for fans who cherish the team’s golden eras and the larger-than-life personalities who shaped them.