The Nuggets‘ voyage to their first NBA title brought numerous Denver-area sports figures out of the woodwork, befitting a city that has now seen each of its Big Four sports teams play for championships in the last 17 years.
Appropriately, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was a constant presence throughout the playoff run. Spotting Wilson courtside during Game 5 of the Finals on Monday night, ESPN color commentator and former Knicks and Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy offered a hilarious butchering of Wilson's trademark slogan since the Seahawks traded him to Denver in March 2022.
"Russell Wilson, his wife Ciara, and the terrific coach Sean Payton all cheering on for their Denver Nuggets," play-by-play announcer Mike Breen noted as they were shown on the broadcast.
"Bronco nation, let's ride!" Van Gundy exclaimed.
Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson (and Ciara), and Sean Payton shown on the ESPN on ABC #NBAFinals broadcast.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 13, 2023
"Bronco nation, let's ride!"- Jeff Van Gundy 🏀🏈 pic.twitter.com/RWnvodu0sY
"Broncos country, let's ride!" is the catchphrase Van Gundy presumably had in mind, used by Wilson in a memorable June 2022 video where he recited the mantra multiple times in front of a green screen. As Denver floundered to a 5–12 record in ’22, the slogan became a widely mocked meme, and Wilson finished the year with 16 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.
