Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, former quarterback Peyton Manning and current quarterback Russell Wilson were in attendance to watch the Denver Nuggets (4-1) defeat the Miami Heat (1-4) 94-89 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night to clinch a title, marking the first championship in franchise history.
Earlier this month, Payton praised Nuggets players for their unselfish play, and he praised team ownership for their accomplishments across sports in recent seasons.
“When I’ve watched them — we all get caught up and you get excited — but the star players are unselfish, and I feel like it’s a team that enjoys each other,” Payton said on June 1. “I’m going to guess that they probably do things together off the court and I don’t know that that’s the case with every team.”
Payton also praised Nuggets ownership. Ann Walton Kroenke, the cousin of Broncos majority owner Rob Walton, owns the Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche. Ann’s husband, Stan Kroenke, owns the Los Angeles Rams and Colorado Rapids.
“When you think of this for a second — in two years, the Kroenkes have won a Super Bowl, have won a Stanley Cup and they’re in a position to win an NBA championship,” Payton said. “I think that’s something that — it’s good to be a Kroenke for the last two years. That’s pretty impressive to have that type of success.”
Payton will hope that success runs in the family as the Walton-Penner ownership group aims to turn the Broncos around quickly after a seven-year playoff drought.
Sean Payton, Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning all at game. They have four combined Super Bowl rings. Hopefully they see Nuggets win first ever ring #Denver7 #Broncos
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) June 13, 2023
If you'd told me 10 years ago that Sean Payton, Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning would all be courtside rooting desperately for a Nuggets championship I'm 99% sure I wouldn't have believed you
— Trevor Vallese (@TVallese) June 13, 2023
Peyton Manning is rooting for the Nuggets to get it done tonight 👏 #NBAFinals #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/bmICa9Nwz0
— ESPN (@espn) June 13, 2023
Russell Wilson and Ciara are in the house for Game 5 🤩 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/J6xnBTVKWE
— ESPN (@espn) June 13, 2023
Peyton Manning in Denver for Game 5!#NBACelebRow pic.twitter.com/wVgPChk8xr
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2023
Crowd goes crazy for Peyton Manning pic.twitter.com/6ICHt5CgYB
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) June 13, 2023
Colts fans watching Peyton Manning celebrate with the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/Z7a7NUxsO2
— Barstool Indy (@barstoolindy) June 13, 2023
Thrilled for longtime Denver Nuggets fan Russell Wilson
— Cool Hand Luka (@coolhandluka_) June 13, 2023
It's great to see long-time Nuggets fans Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson and Sean Payton finally rewarded for their loyalty.
— Les East (@Les_East) June 13, 2023
Sean Payton said they’re next lol
— ISO JOE (@LosoRozay) June 13, 2023
— Nik Bonitto (@nikkkkbonitto) June 13, 2023
Congratulations @nuggets!!! Incredible team. 16-4 in the playoffs just like the @Avalanche last year
— Brandon McManus (@thekidmcmanus) June 13, 2023
NBA Champions!! 🏆 @nuggets let’s go!
— Garett Bolles (@gbolles72) June 13, 2023
Denver Going Up Congrats ! @nuggets
— Patrick Surtain (@PatSurtainll) June 13, 2023
NBA CHAMPIONS CONGRATS 💍 @nuggets
— Jerry Jeudy⁴ (@jerryjeudy) June 13, 2023
Championships by Denver teams:
Broncos: 3
Avalanche: 3
Nuggets: 1
Rapids: 1You’re on the clock, Rockies.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) June 13, 2023
Such a special moment!
Denver @Nuggets World Champs! 🏆#FamilyMemories @Ciara pic.twitter.com/5SQM2myNAR— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) June 13, 2023
LET’S 👏 GO 👏 @nuggets 👏
Another 🏆 for the Mile High City!#BringItIn pic.twitter.com/dTZcT4KRxP
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) June 13, 2023
After watching the Colorado Avalanche win a title last year and the Denver Nuggets win a championship this season, the Broncos are now on deck.
