What Happen to the Barrelman ?

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Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Sep 6, 2006 by FRANK SCHWAB THE GAZETTE

For the past 28 seasons, Tim McKernan and his barrel have left an indelible mark at Denver Broncos home games.

McKernan, famously known as "Barrelman" for the outfit he wears, feels fortunate to be alive for his 29th season.

In August 2003, McKernan was scheduled to undergo surgery for an aneurysm in his abdomen. Four hours before surgery, the aneurysm burst.

"The doctor said that usually means death within 12 seconds," said Becky McKernan, Tim's wife.

But blood pooled around McKernan's liver and kidneys, giving doctors time to get him into surgery. McKernan underwent more than seven hours of surgery after being flown by helicopter from his home in Gunnison to Grand Junction. He was in a drug-induced coma for almost three weeks.

"They told me it's probably about one in a million to make it when they rupture," Tim said. "I was rather fortunate."

"It's a miracle he's still with us," Becky said.

The McKernans received thousands of phone calls, e-mails and letters from wellwishers.

"It was a lot to deal with but I wasn't surprised," Becky said.

"There's not a day goes by that someone doesn't recognize my husband no matter where we are."

Three years later, Tim is doing well. He spends much of his time traveling the country with his wife in a recreational vehicle. In August, he joined fellow members of the fan section of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a reunion in Canton, Ohio.

Tim, who turned 66 on Tuesday, had to make some concessions after his illness. He still wears his barrel -- with nothing underneath -- but for only a half of each Broncos game on doctor's orders.

"At halftime, I change into street clothes and sit in the seats we've been paying for all these years that have been going unused," Tim said.

Tim wants to make it through 30 seasons before retiring the barrel.

"I think probably we'll let it fade away," he said. "Maybe bring it out for special occasions."

INSIDE THE BARREL

Tim McKernan is entering his 29th season as "Barrelman" at Denver Broncos home games. He shared some of his thoughts on the team with The Gazette.

On Denver's loss to Pittsburgh in last year's AFC Championship Game:

"I really wasn't that surprised. It was just Pittsburgh's year. They won the last five or six games -- they had to win them just to get into the playoffs -- then they beat the team with the best record in the AFC at Indianapolis. And when they came here I thought, 'We're going to be lucky if we beat them.' I'm still proud of that team. The experts had us picked for, at best, third place in the AFC West. That team played together as a team, and I think that's a big difference between the Denver Broncos and a lot of other teams."

On how the Broncos will fare:

"I think they're going to go on from that game they lost to Pittsburgh, and I think they can do it this year. We lost a couple of excellent players -- Jeb Putzier, Trevor Pryce and Mike Anderson. They were contributors, but I think the people we got in their place are going to

contribute just as well. I'm looking forward to this season."

On if fans ever will accept quarterback Jake Plummer:

"To get full acceptance from the fickle fans, he's going to have to probably take them to a Super Bowl. Not necessarily win it, but take them there. I think a majority of the fans have accepted Jake Plummer. They know he's not going to be John Elway reincarnated, but Jake is a good quarterback."

On his favorite player:

"Good golly. I would have to say I'm a (John) Lynch fan. I kind of drift toward the defense anyway. He has class, he has skill and he wants to win. He's a team player. What more can you ask for?"

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