My father Bruce Egelston (66), known as "The Blob" on rivals, passed away early Monday morning. Bruce is survived by his wife, 4 kids, and 2 grand children. He had been fighting anaplastic thyroid cancer for nearly 3 years. This type of cancer is very aggressive and makes life miserable, as it makes it nearly impossible to swallow and spreads rapidly through the body. Most people don't live longer than 1 year post diagnosis. We are blessed to have the time we did. There is relief knowing his suffering is over. The last few days, and the months leading to his passing, were especially tough. If there's anything we can all agree on it's "F**k cancer".
To my knowledge, "The Blob" was mainly a lurker on this site, but a member nonetheless, for nearly 25 years. He gave me access to his account so I could lurk too, as I've been obsessed with our Buffs my whole life. As a teen I recall making a post against his wishes about the Hawkins era team. Let's just say that was the last time I posted through this account before now.
He was a lifelong fan of the Buffs. A season ticket holder for many years and never missed watching a game. He took me to many games over the years including 62-36 in 2001 and we attended the Fiesta Bowl later that year. I was supposed to go to the game vs Fresno St(a bad loss) that same season for my birthday. I was sick, so my brother went instead. I lucked out in the end, as he consoled me by offering the Nebraska game which was initially slated to have my brother tag along. Clearly, he passed down his fandom to me (31) and my brother(34). We enjoyed watching the games as a trio our whole lives. I recall listening to Zimmer and Mark Johnson on the radio back in the day when not all games were on TV. I am thankful I was able to take him to his last game at Folsom vs KSU this last season. We didn't get the result we hoped for, but it was an amazing game, and season, that I'll never forget. We're so glad to have seen a competitive team, two Heisman worthy Buffs and one to win the damn thing! What a way to go out after the last couple decades.
My family and I were able to dedicate a legacy brick to him for the expanding section of the Buff Walk. The brick says "Dedicated to Bruce Egelston, a lifelong fan of our Buffs". Please keep an eye out for it when completed.
I have an amazing fiancé who was able to track down Bobby Anderson, a legendary Buff and Denver Bronco. She was able to have him send my dad a couple of classic photos, signed by him with the messages: "To Bruce, 'A lifelong long Buffs fan' God bless you" and simply, "God bless you, Bruce". He also wrote my family a nice letter praying for my dad's comfort in these tough times, with wishes that the signed photos would lift his spirits. Bobby Anderson was my father's favorite player all time. We gave the replica brick and signed photos to my dad this past Christmas. To say the least, he was brought to tears with joy and honor.
Bruce was quoted in an article of The Denver Post on September 9th, 2023. Titled "Nebraska fan's latest Big Red invasion attempt fizzles at CU's Folsom Field: "I get tired of seeing all those bastards in red" By Bennett Durando. The title quote is from my dad. The article reads, "Fans like Bruce and Kerry Egelston were the real winners in the end. The people of Colorado held strong this time. The Egelstons bought their tickets for $436 each as a 65th birthday present for Bruce, who "didn't grow to hate Nebraska until I was older," he said. But their Buffs allegiance has always been intense. The couple's television passcode (for parental lock) used to be 6236. How much would they sell their birthday tickets for if a Husker fan asked real nice? "Nothing," Kerry stated before Bruce interrupted with a hesitant, "Well...". "No," his wife reiterated. "Nothing." Bruce conceded after a minute. These stubs were priceless. "I get tired of seeing all those bastards in red," he said."
Hopefully, some of you get a little joy from these stories. It was therapeutic for me, if nothing else.
Go Buffs!
To my knowledge, "The Blob" was mainly a lurker on this site, but a member nonetheless, for nearly 25 years. He gave me access to his account so I could lurk too, as I've been obsessed with our Buffs my whole life. As a teen I recall making a post against his wishes about the Hawkins era team. Let's just say that was the last time I posted through this account before now.
He was a lifelong fan of the Buffs. A season ticket holder for many years and never missed watching a game. He took me to many games over the years including 62-36 in 2001 and we attended the Fiesta Bowl later that year. I was supposed to go to the game vs Fresno St(a bad loss) that same season for my birthday. I was sick, so my brother went instead. I lucked out in the end, as he consoled me by offering the Nebraska game which was initially slated to have my brother tag along. Clearly, he passed down his fandom to me (31) and my brother(34). We enjoyed watching the games as a trio our whole lives. I recall listening to Zimmer and Mark Johnson on the radio back in the day when not all games were on TV. I am thankful I was able to take him to his last game at Folsom vs KSU this last season. We didn't get the result we hoped for, but it was an amazing game, and season, that I'll never forget. We're so glad to have seen a competitive team, two Heisman worthy Buffs and one to win the damn thing! What a way to go out after the last couple decades.
My family and I were able to dedicate a legacy brick to him for the expanding section of the Buff Walk. The brick says "Dedicated to Bruce Egelston, a lifelong fan of our Buffs". Please keep an eye out for it when completed.
I have an amazing fiancé who was able to track down Bobby Anderson, a legendary Buff and Denver Bronco. She was able to have him send my dad a couple of classic photos, signed by him with the messages: "To Bruce, 'A lifelong long Buffs fan' God bless you" and simply, "God bless you, Bruce". He also wrote my family a nice letter praying for my dad's comfort in these tough times, with wishes that the signed photos would lift his spirits. Bobby Anderson was my father's favorite player all time. We gave the replica brick and signed photos to my dad this past Christmas. To say the least, he was brought to tears with joy and honor.
Bruce was quoted in an article of The Denver Post on September 9th, 2023. Titled "Nebraska fan's latest Big Red invasion attempt fizzles at CU's Folsom Field: "I get tired of seeing all those bastards in red" By Bennett Durando. The title quote is from my dad. The article reads, "Fans like Bruce and Kerry Egelston were the real winners in the end. The people of Colorado held strong this time. The Egelstons bought their tickets for $436 each as a 65th birthday present for Bruce, who "didn't grow to hate Nebraska until I was older," he said. But their Buffs allegiance has always been intense. The couple's television passcode (for parental lock) used to be 6236. How much would they sell their birthday tickets for if a Husker fan asked real nice? "Nothing," Kerry stated before Bruce interrupted with a hesitant, "Well...". "No," his wife reiterated. "Nothing." Bruce conceded after a minute. These stubs were priceless. "I get tired of seeing all those bastards in red," he said."
Hopefully, some of you get a little joy from these stories. It was therapeutic for me, if nothing else.
Go Buffs!
