Broncos Country, long known for its ardent devotion, now has a chance to see one of its own honored in Canton.

Robert Garner, a.k.a. “Rescue Rob,” is a Broncos superfan who hosts one of the biggest tailgates at Mile High. A season ticket holder since 2010, the team nominated Garner for the Ford Hall of Fans, which is a hall of fame for football fans inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Garner, a firefighter for the Poudre Fire Authority by day, owns a 1976 Ford fire engine that he’s customized as “Broncos Country Engine No. 7”. The fire engine is a staple at Garner’s tailgate, which he’s been hosting since he bought the truck in 2013 after seeing it sitting on a ranch with a “for sale” sign while on family vacation in Custer, South Dakota.

The purchase of the fire engine escalated Garner’s fandom, even as he was long on track to become the superfan he is today.

“Years ago, my wife made me my first Broncos fire helmet, and to this day, it’s the best Christmas gift anybody has ever given me,” Garner said. “I started wearing that to the games, and then I started to get some old (firefighter) bunker pants, turned them orange, and then I got some leather Broncos suspenders. The Broncos have always been huge to me, and my mom put me on the season-ticket waiting list when I was in high school.”

A major consideration in the Broncos’ nomination of Garner — a nomination that was delivered at Garner’s door in Fort Collins via a surprise visit by Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey — is the fireman’s community service. Related Articles Broncos’ Von Miller gives fans “Mile High Salute” while sharing photo of leg in cast

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With the help of other coordinating superfans, the 40-year-old Fort Collins native raised nearly $10,000 for various charities at his pregame tailgate this year. Garner gets the food and drink for the tailgate donated, and then people leave cash donations at the tailgate which go to various local organizations such as Children’s Hospital and the Denver Rescue Mission. Garner also uses the truck for charity events on non-game days.

Broncos fans can vote for Garner through January 27 at www.fordhalloffans.com/football, as he’s facing five other superfan finalists from across the country. Three of the top six finalists will win a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami, with the ultimate winner being honored at the NFL enshrinement ceremony in August.

For Garner, he says the nomination alone is a humbling confirmation of his passion for the team and the community around it.

“The Broncos are going to be in our life forever,” Garner said. “We are lifelong Broncos fans and nothing can stop that — not these last four (rough) seasons, not anything. We’re going to have our tickets until I’m gone, and I’m going to pass them on to the kids.”