RIP Barrel Man - Tim McKernan Passes Away

[Skinny]

Broncos 'Barrel Man' dies (http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=128282&catid=339)

DENVER - Tim McKernan, the man known for years as the "Barrel Man" at Denver Broncos football games, has died.

McKernan, 69, passed away on Saturday morning. The Broncos superfan was diagnosed with an inoperable respiratory disease earlier this year and was told he had between two months and six months to live.

For 30 years, in all types of weather, McKernan donned a barrel and cheered on the Broncos, first at Mile High Stadium and then later at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

He retired from being the Barrel Man after the 2007 Broncos season.

McKernan was a former mechanic for United Airlines and he and his wife were based out of Gunnison.

He sold the barrel he wore for Super Bowl XXXII for $30,000. It was autographed by 49 players and was sold to a Black Hawk casino. McKernan gave part of the proceeds to a battered women's shelter.





RIP Barrelman.

[Northman]

RIP my friend. You will be missed. \m/

[KyleOrtonArmySoldier#128]

What an awful thing to happen. I was really hoping I would finally get to meet him at the Oakland game and shake his hand before he passes on, I'm glad he lived his life the way he wanted to. I feel like the organization almost owes him something, sure, nobody told him to freeze his ass off in a barrel but in a way he still died for this franchise.

Shit sucks.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Tim was definitely the Broncos #1 Fan - Thank you so much Barrel Man for the many great memories of you at Bronco games :salute:

Rest in Peace and God Bless.

[KCL]

Sad news...condolences to his family,friends,Bronco fans and all who knew and loved him.

RIP Barrel Man

[Poet]

I tend to believe that most fans are great fans, but some fan's passions are just a little bit greater than others, and this guy loved his team as much as anyone ever did.

RIP, and may his family find some solace.

[Nomad]

RIP Barrel man!! Never meet him but seems like I've know him for over 20 yrs!!!

[Magnificent Seven]

Man, I am depressed. He was the best fan in Denver history.

[Magnificent Seven]

what an awful thing to happen. I was really hoping i would finally get to meet him at the oakland game and shake his hand before he passes on, i'm glad he lived his life the way he wanted to. I feel like the organization almost owes him something, sure, nobody told him to freeze his ass off in a barrel but in a way he still died for this franchise.

Shit sucks.

exactly!

[broncophan]

RIP.....we have all lost one of our own.......thoughts and prayers for his family

[UnderArmour]

He should get to go in the Ring of Fame or something. Great man, he will be deeply missed.

[JDL]

Awful news... RIP to a TRUE Broncos fan.

[Jaws]

Barrelman will never be forgotten.

Memory eternal :salute:

[Tned]

He's been such a huge part of the magic and mystic of Mile High for so long, that it is hard to think of a Broncos home game without him.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://cbs4denver.com/broncos/Denver.Broncos.Barrel.2.1351886.html

The famous Denver Broncos fan known as "Barrel Man" has died.

Tim McKernan, 69, passed away on Friday. He was diagnosed with an inoperable respiratory disease earlier this year.

McKernan was a staple at Broncos games for more than 30 years and was often seen on TV during games donning just a barrel, even in frigid temperatures.

He was honored in 2007 at a Broncos game after retiring from being "Barrel Man."

"I figured after 30 years it's time to call it quits," McKernan told CBS4's Brooke Wagner at the time.

McKernan's serious health issues began in 2003 when an abdominal aneurysm ruptured.

"Thank you to everybody for their support. We've received hundreds of cards and letter from people when it became known he was ill," said McKernan's daughter-in-law Peggy McKernan. "He was just dad, but we're realizing more and more how important he was to other people."

The famous barrel was donated to a casino in Black Hawk in 2007. McKernan sold it in an online auction. He donated 10 percent of his profits to a battered women's home in Gunnison.

McKernan was a mechanic for United Airlines.

He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Barrel Man Parade

http://cbs4denver.com/slideshows/20.541122.html

[titan]

I remember one road game in Chicago where it must have been 20 to 30 degrees, snowing, and there was Barrel Man without a shirt, in his barrel cheering the broncos on. The Bears fans were throwing snowballs at him and a few snowballs hit him right in the face.

I heard Tim McKernan speak at the bronco qb club once about what it means to be a fan. I don't think we'll ever see a fan as dedicated as the Barrel Man. Rest in peace.

[BroncoBJ]

RIP Barrel Man :( ... I've met him a few different times at games and what not and he definatly had passion for his team. Hes a Bronco Legend :salute:

RIP

[Bronco Bible]

RIP Barrelman you are the face of a Denver Bronco fan:salute::salute:

[MasterShake]

RIP Barrel Man.:salute:

[frauschieze]

I'm glad that he was able to be inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame before he died. I hope the Broncos do the right thing and give him a place in the Ring of Fame.

RIP Barrel Man. You meant more to more people than you would have ever comprehended.

[topscribe]

JWinn (a friend over on Mania) and AZ Snake teamed up a couple years ago to
get a "nerf" Broncos helmet autographed personally by him to me.

It's a keepsake more than ever now.

RIP to a Broncos legend . . .

-----

[Nomad]

JWinn (a friend over on Mania) and AZ Snake teamed up a couple years ago to
get a "nerf" Broncos helmet autographed personally by him to me.

It's a keepsake more than ever now.

RIP to a Broncos legend . . .

-----

How is Jwinn?? He's a great person and BRONCOS fan as well!!

You're right, BARREL MAN is a BRONCOS legend!!

[topscribe]

How is Jwinn?? He's a great person and BRONCOS fan as well!!

You're right, BARREL MAN is a BRONCOS legend!!

Unfortunately, JWinn all but quit Mania (which is another reason I don't like it as
much as I used to), and I haven't seen hide nor hair of him since. It's been a
couple years, actually.

Of course, I don't spend much time on there, anymore, either . . .

-----

[BroncoBJ]

I miss Jwinn. He use to pm me like every day after deleting a post of mine. :lol: He kept me in line. :elefant:

[Crush05]

Got to meet him a few years back, got pics taken with him and sat and visited with him He was very down to earth and a great man. My mother a few years back while Christmas shopping saw him in Park Meadows mall autographing his bobble heads for christmas and she got me one. It sits proudly in my Broncos Collectables Cabinet!! Barrel man you have been missed and will forever have a place in all Broncos/ Broncos fans hearts. God Bless you brother!!:salute:

[Crush05]

Barrel Man to the Ring of Fame!!!!! Woot woot!! We need to push this, he was and is one of a kind. A Hall of Famer and a true fan. We should get a petition started. :salute:

[Reidman]

Sad day indeed...

He was as much an icon of this organization in my mind as the horse that sits upon the stadium..they really need to consider a bench, statue or something that immortalizes the Barrel man at Invesco..

RIP to the Broncos #1 fan..:salute:

[frauschieze]

Barrel Man to the Ring of Fame!!!!! Woot woot!! We need to push this, he was and is one of a kind. A Hall of Famer and a true fan. We should get a petition started. :salute:

Hey Tned.....how's about it? :)

[FanInAZ]

:rip:

[Superchop 7]

Back in 93....he retired the barrell.

Actually had a party for him. (I was not there)

Even though it was the right thing to do. (retire)

He just couldn't do it,

His passion was stronger than common sense.

Much like "the wrestler"

This is who he was.

And also.....to an extent......the embodiment of the spirit of a team.

[Iron Horse72]

Very sad, met him a couple of years back.

I will always remember him, RIP.

[titan]

check out

http://www.drewlitton.com/football/2009/12/06/the-barrel-man-tim-mckernan-1940-2009/

[pnbronco]

Thanks for posting that Titan.

It's very sad and I know he will be missed...my prayers are with his family...RIP

[Day1BroncoFan]

What a fan. I didn't know fans could be inducted into the NFL HOF.

:salute:

:rip:

[camdisco24]

We have the best fans in the world, and one of the best was lost yesterday.
You know he was rooting on his Broncos from the sky today.

RIP Barrel Man! You will be missed!

[Devilspawn]

Wow this sucks. I know I made my share of pokes at him, but that was all in the spirit of the rivalry, nothing more. I admired his dedication, he reminded me of that Viking's guy that used to roam Metropolitan Stadium in his briefs. He was a dedicated fan who was legendary for the Broncos franchise. R.I.P.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

check out

http://www.drewlitton.com/football/2009/12/06/the-barrel-man-tim-mckernan-1940-2009/

under the cartoon - words by drew litton

Passion
You could describe Tim “The Barrel Man” McKernan in that one simple word. I love people with passion. People who follow their hearts to places so few us dare to tread. Tim was one of those people. I had the great pleasure of talking to Tim during a taping he and I were doing with NFL Films for the History of the Denver Broncos DVD. McKernan was larger than life, a guy who loved to tell stories and share his love for the Broncos. He knew that the barrel thing was one way to show his passion for all things Orange. But he also knew it brought smiles to fans throughout the NFL, regardless of whether you were a Broncos fan or not. They figured any guy who would run around half naked in a barrel in the midst of a snow storm to watch his favorite team was the truest definition of a real fan and that resonated with people. He exuded joy. And that is something we could all use a little more of these days.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_13936876

Tim McKernan was known for wearing a barrel, a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and not much else.

But it was enough to make him an icon at Denver Broncos games.

McKernan, better known as Barrel Man, died in his sleep Saturday morning of lung failure. He was 69.

The former mechanic for United Airlines began wearing a barrel in 1977 after making a $10 bet with his brother, Scott, that by wearing one during a Broncos game, 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. It resulted in him becoming one of the Broncos' most recognized fans.

"He liked the attention. He loved inspiring the fans and had a take- charge attitude," said McKernan's son, Todd, who said he was 17 when his dad first donned the costume.

"My kids grew up knowing grandpa in the barrel," he added.

Tim McKernan had attended Broncos games since 1967 and had missed only 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 he recovered.

About six years ago, he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, scarring of the lung, but in September 2009, his breathing worsened. He was hospitalized, but came home three weeks ago to receive hospice care, his family said.

Not about the money

"I've known Tim since 1978," said Broncos spokesman Jim Saccamano. "The No. 1 neat thing about him was that he was not about using this as a tool for making money. It was all about supporting the team. . . . Tim was a was a model of decorum. He will be missed."

The McKernan family spent Saturday morning reminiscing about their legendary father, who they said was very proud to have been nicotine-free and alcohol-free for more than 25 years.

Todd McKernan said his father's first barrel was one that had been emptied of cleaning solvent, and over the years, he had acquired 21 different barrels, including one that was sold on Ebay in 2006 for $30,000.

Family members spoke of how honored he felt when he got a black-tie invitation to attend John Elway's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and his off-the-field friendships with former Broncos Rick Upchurch and Billy Thompson.

Tim McKernan witnessed many changes within the Broncos organization over the years, including a new football stadium and coaching changes. His family said he called former Broncos coach Lou Saban "Half-a-loaf Lou" after the Broncos played a game against Miami, tied the score at 10-10, and sat on the ball while not trying to score.

McKernan said, "Lou had said, 'A half a loaf better than none.' "

Todd McKernan also said his father admired Broncos coaches Mike Shanahan and new-kid-on-the-block Josh McDaniels.

In 2007, Tim 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 received lots of fan appreciation that moved him to tears.

But it was his experiences as Barrel Man that made him transform into a loud and boisterous mascot. His children spoke of how some opposing fans treated Barrel Man with respect while others weren't quite so friendly.

"His worst experience was in San Diego, when someone tried to shove him down the stairs, but he loved going to Oakland Raiders' games where he would get to hang out with Raider Ron and other mascots in the Black Hole. They protected him to the point of escorting him to the rest room," Todd McKernan said.

At home in fan Hall of Fame

Tim McKernan was the first Broncos fan to be inducted into the Visa Hall of Fans, which recognizes costume-wearing, face-painted, avid National Football League fans, in a ceremony held at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"Outside the barrel, my father was very quiet, an introverted calm person," Todd McKernan said. "But when he put it on, he talked differently. He swaggered and was transformed. It allowed him to express himself."

Tim McKernan is survived by his wife, Becky; nine children, Todd, Troy, Taryn, Tiffani, Melissa, Amber, David, Darryl and John; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

A memorial service for McKernan is pending.

[Crush05]

What a fan. I didn't know fans could be inducted into the NFL HOF.

:salute:

:rip:

As he should be to our Ring of Fame also!!

[horsepig]

He should get to go in the Ring of Fame or something. Great man, he will be deeply missed.

I agree. After all, we the fans make the NFL game.

Tim made all of us laugh, the best talent of all, and he was a great representative of the franchise, the city, the entire intermountain fanbase and was imaginative and loveable while doing it.

He exemplified the ongoing commitment to success that exemplifies the franchise and its fans.

IMHO, he definitely deserves a spot on the Ring of Fame, along side other significant contributors to the Broncos' mystique.

One of a kind-we will miss you BarrelMan!

[Lonestar]

Krieger:
By Dave Krieger
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/06/2009 01:00:00 AM MST


Tim McKernan, the Barrel Man, died Saturday at age 69. The whole thing was slightly nuts, of course. That was the genius of it.

Here was a grown man — a tough, burly airline mechanic, for crying out loud — running around in nothing but boots, a hat and an aluminum barrel on football Sundays cold enough to turn his exposed skin Broncos orange and blue.

It was a getup that could have gotten Tim McKernan arrested, or at least detained and given a sobriety test, almost any place except Mile High Stadium. But there, in the Broncos' temple, it made him an icon in a cowboy hat, ultimately recognizable all over the country.

Broncos great Randy Gradishar spoke for many fans when he recalled seeing the Barrel Man for the first time: "Tommy Jackson and I were like, 'What is this guy doing?' We were only guessing what he had on underneath that thing."

On Thanksgiving, his family sent out word that the ailing McKernan, no longer able to attend games, would get a kick out of receiving fans' Barrel Man recollections. I sent out a message on Twitter with the address. A stream of affection flowed back. No Broncos-related message I've sent out before or since received such a unanimous response.

I have a feeling McKernan's family will be getting mail at that post office box long after they've said their last goodbyes to the venerable Barrel Man, who died Saturday morning at 69. Somewhere along the way he became a community touchstone, a high priest of our state religion.

He was just a fan, he always said. And he was too. Only one thing distinguished him from the other 75,000 members of the congregation who gathered in north Denver on select Sunday afternoons: They could sit down.

Let's face it — as apparel, the barrel was wildly impractical. This could be why nobody else thought of it. Yet, extending from mid-paunch to tastefully above the knee, it had a certain panache on the Barrel Man, especially with that neck strap that came down across his chest like suspenders.

In a lark, on a dare, McKernan came to embody all the commitment, passion and questionable sanity of America's football fans.

To see the occasional bunch of shirtless, alcohol-fueled young men spelling out the object of their devotion on their chests was to remember your first hangover.

To see the distinguished Barrel Man stomping up and down Mile High Stadium's risers in those cowboy boots week after week, exposed except for that barrel, raising his arm in that salute, was to watch an artist at work.

The Barrel Man was a performance artist before performance art was cool, a naked cowboy long before that dude in his underwear on Times Square.

Like many of the all-time greats, he tried to walk away. But the barrel always pulled him back in.

In 1992, he showed up in the Broncos' media room to hang up the barrel for the first time. "I just want to go out on top," he said.

Dan Reeves posed for pictures with him. The wretches covering the ceremony didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The Barrel Man often had that effect.

He was back almost immediately. "I missed it," he explained.

To think that it all started 32 years ago because of a bet with his brother. "He wanted to see me on TV out in California," McKernan explained to 9News when he hung up the barrel for the last time.

"I had painted a barrel to make a drum out of it to look like an Orange Crush can, told him about it, and he bet me 10 bucks that I didn't have the guts to wear nothing but the barrel to a ballgame."

For 10 bucks, McKernan assumed an alter ego that would galvanize Broncos fans in the days before scoreboards told them when to galvanize. "The more I can get the fans into it," McKernan said, "the better the team plays."

It certainly seemed that way. No one has ever had a better rookie year.

After 17 years of futility, the Broncos went to the Super Bowl following the Barrel Man's first season. A barrel signed by members of that team now occupies a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

For 30 years, he prowled those risers, moving with the Broncos from Mile High to Invesco Field, where he symbolized a simpler time, before marble-topped club level bars and corporate suites.

He was one of a kind, a Colorado original. And he died with the affection of thousands who never knew him, forever a part of Broncos lore.

Dave Krieger: 303-954-5297 or dkrieger@denverpost.com or twitter.com/DaveKrieger



http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13936943

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://blog.denverbroncos.com/jsaccomano/remembering-the-barrelman/

Some things are just too crazy to believe. And so it was with the improbably story of The Barrelman, and how he came to be.

Virtually every Denver broncos fan and a great many pro football fans are familiar with Tim McKernan and how he painted up a barrel on a bet with his brother, just to see if he could get on TV.

He got on TV, alright. Over and over again, national fame following his initially simple ploy.

Tim became symbolic of the passionate Broncos fans who follow, cheer for and believe in their team at all times, at all costs.

Including the risk of hypothermia, in Tim’s case.

I knew Tim McKernan since I started working for the Broncos in 1978, and despite the fame which seemed to increase annually he was all about the team.

No question, Tim derived great personal publicity in his role as The Barrelman, but he was never about making a personal profit from his alter ego.

He always used his own ticket to get in, never asked for any free passes, home or away, and never asked for any of the very special attention that came his way.

Some fans do crazy stuff in the hopes that they can become some sort of NFL-stadium American Idol, but not Tim.

He cheered for his team, and did it his way.

His first year in the barrel was that fabled Super Bowl season of 1977, and his persona grew so fast that when the team plane headed out of Stapleton International Airport for Super Bowl XII, it was United Airlines mechanic Tim McKernan, dressed (or undressed, actually) in full barrel regalia—barrel, boots, and hat, all resplendent in orange—who waved the aircraft down the tarmac and into the Rocky Mountain sky.

His fame did not waiver form that year, and neither did his devotion to the Broncos.

Tim McKernan passed away last week, but his legacy will continue in the minds of Broncos fans.

Who can forget the image of a late middle aged man wearing an orange barrel outside for three hours in the coldest of days?

You are invited to comment about The Barrelman. It’s our way of remembering him on this site.

[TXBRONC]

What a fan. I didn't know fans could be inducted into the NFL HOF.

:salute:

:rip:

A barrell is in the Hall of Fame not a bust of McKernan.