Empower Field At Mile High Prohibited Bags: Backpacks
Ah, Empower Field at Mile High. The place where dreams are made and the Broncos, hopefully, score touchdowns. But let's talk about something that can throw a real wrench in your game-day plans, or more accurately, your bag-day plans: the great bag ban!
Specifically, we're diving into the often-misunderstood, sometimes-frustrating world of prohibited bags. And at the top of that "nope" list? The humble, the mighty, the ever-so-convenient backpack.
Yes, you heard that right. Your trusty backpack, the one that carries your snacks, your lucky charm, maybe even a tiny umbrella for that unpredictable Denver weather, is persona non grata at the stadium. It’s like showing up to a five-star restaurant in your pajamas. Technically you’re there, but they’re politely asking you to reconsider your life choices, bag-wise.
I mean, I get it. Security, efficiency, all that jazz. They want to keep things moving. Nobody wants to be stuck behind a person fumbling through a Mary Poppins-esque backpack for their tickets while the kick-off looms.
But let's be honest, is a backpack really the villain here? Is it the root of all evil in stadium security? I'm starting to think not. This is where my slightly unpopular opinion comes out. I think we need to have a little chat about the backpack ban.
Think about it. What did people carry before these clear, tiny bags became the mandated accessory? Back in the day, you probably brought a decent-sized purse. A wallet, keys, a phone, maybe some lip balm. That was it.
Now, fast forward to today. We carry our lives in our phones, but we also carry, well, more stuff. Hand sanitizer, emergency snacks (because stadium prices are astronomical!), maybe a portable charger because your phone is as vital as a quarterback. And a clutch just isn't going to cut it.
Enter the backpack. The perfect blend of practicality and necessity. It’s the ultimate game-day companion. It can hold your essentials without turning you into a pack mule. And yet, here we are, staring down the barrel of a bag policy that says, "Nice backpack. Too bad. Try again."
It feels a little like they’re saying, "We trust you with the fate of the franchise, but we don't trust you with a bag larger than a breadbox." And that’s where the humor, and maybe a little bit of gentle rebellion, creeps in.
I envision a world where a perfectly innocent backpack is eyed with suspicion by a security guard. "What are you hiding in there, sir? The opposing team's playbook?" And the poor fan, who just packed a water bottle and a granola bar, just shrugs, a little bewildered.
It's the sheer inconvenience that gets me. You spend ages trying to find a bag that fits the exact dimensions. You squint at the little diagram on the stadium website. Is this inch too much? Is that one too wide? It becomes a whole production.
And then you arrive at the gate, full of optimism, only to be told, "Sorry, that bag is too big. You'll need to check it." Check it? My precious, perfectly compliant bag? Now that's a penalty flag I can get behind.
I'm not advocating for people to sneak in bazookas or live llamas. I’m talking about the everyday items. The things that make attending a game actually enjoyable, not a logistical nightmare.
Perhaps there's a happy medium. A middle ground between a regulation-size beach bag and a tiny coin purse. What about a stylish, streamlined backpack that looks like it belongs in a modern stadium? A backpack that says, "I'm here to enjoy the game, and I've packed responsibly, within reason."
The current policy feels like it's designed for a bygone era. An era where perhaps people were less reliant on carrying an entire tech ecosystem and a survival kit. But we live in 2023, people! We need our portable chargers!
So, let's embrace the spirit of Empower Field at Mile High. Let's cheer loud, wear our orange and blue with pride, and maybe, just maybe, let us bring a backpack that can actually hold our essentials. A backpack that doesn't require a background check for entry.
I'm imagining the Broncos’ defensive line, a wall of power. And I’m imagining the security line, a wall of prohibited backpacks. It just doesn't quite compute, does it?
Maybe the next time I go, I’ll try to strap everything to myself. A phone on my wrist, a wallet in my shoe, a granola bar tucked into my… well, you get the idea. It’s the lengths we go to, all to avoid the dreaded backpack ban.
It’s a funny paradox, isn't it? We’re encouraged to be prepared, to have our essentials. But then we’re penalized for having a practical way to carry them. It’s like telling someone to pack for a marathon but only giving them a thimble to carry their water.
So, to all my fellow Broncos fans who have ever felt the sting of backpack rejection at Empower Field at Mile High, I see you. I feel your pain. And I'm with you, in spirit, if not in actual bag size.
Maybe one day, they'll realize that a well-packed, responsibly carried backpack is not the enemy. It's a friend. A game-day bestie. And it deserves a spot in the stadium, right alongside the cheers and the touchdowns. Until then, we’ll keep experimenting with our pockets and our tiny, tiny approved bags.
Let's make this a fun conversation, not a frustrating one. Because at the end of the day, we're all just trying to enjoy the game, with our snacks, our phones, and our dignity intact. And sometimes, a backpack is the best way to do that.
So next time you're heading to the stadium, give your backpack a little pat. You might have to leave it at home, but don't forget its service. It's been there for you, through thick and thin, and especially through crowded concerts and bustling marketplaces.
And who knows? Maybe with enough smiles, nods, and perhaps a few strategically placed, perfectly compliant clear bags, we can eventually convince them that a backpack isn't always the bad guy. We'll keep the faith. And we'll keep cheering for the Broncos. Bag policy permitting, of course.
It’s a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, but it’s the little things that can add up, right? The little things that make you shake your head and think, "Really?"
So, let's all commit to making our next game day as smooth as possible. Which, for some of us, might involve a very creative use of our limited pocket space. Wish me luck!
Until then, may your approved bag be ever so slightly larger than you expect, and may your favorite team always win. Go Broncos!