Nuggets Rookie Expressed He Will Never Wear a Broncos Jersey

Apparently not, as one Nuggets player vowed never to wear the Broncos jersey. Why? Because he supports Denver’s division rival, the Kansas City Chiefs.

In a video shared by AltitudeTV’s Katy Winge last July 6, Nuggets rookie Tamar Bates said, “Of course. I’m not a fake Chiefs fan. I’ve been with the Chiefs since Matt Cassel, Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, Tamba Hali. I could go on. You’re never going to catch me with a Broncos jersey on. I’m in Broncos country, but when the Chiefs come to town, you know what colors I’m having.”

Bates repeated his sentiments in an interview on the Altitude FM 92.5 radio show hosted by Tyler Polumbus, Scott Hastings, and Darren McKee.

“If the Broncos decide to make me a jersey with my last name on it, I would accept it, I’d hold it up, and fans would cheer for me. In terms of me putting it on? If they’re not playing the Chiefs, I might be able to. I’m not gonna make promises because I’m homegrown, that’s my team. I’m in Broncos country. It’s a respect thing. I’m gonna support the Broncos as well, being the professional basketball and football team in the same city,” he said.

Why Does Tamar Bates Support the Chiefs?

Bates is a lifelong Chiefs fan because he was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. He played high school basketball at Piper before transferring to Florida’s IMG Academy. He initially attended the University of Indiana for college basketball but transferred to Missouri for his last two seasons. Bates averaged 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.05 steals in 66 games with the Tigers.

“We only have baseball and football. We don’t have a basketball team, so the Royals and the Chiefs are the two teams that I’ve always cheered for. But I’m excited to go to Broncos games and see them play. I haven’t been to too many NFL games in person,” Bates shared with Polumbus, Hastings, and McKee.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Nuggets signed Bates to a two-way contract, allowing him to spend time between the rosters of the Nuggets and the Grand Rapids Gold, the team’s G League affiliate.

Broncos Fans Might Experience Inconvenience During Training Camp

As The Denver Post’s Luca Evans wrote on July 22, “The berm on the east side of Broncos Park, where thousands of onlookers have sat every August, is now an active construction zone.”

This project is part of the Broncos’ plans to build a $175 million team headquarters. However, to still give some fans some access to training camp, bleachers on the south end of the practice field can accommodate up to 800 fans.

Despite the inconvenience, fans are still entitled to free water and sunscreen, while kids under 15 will have autograph-signing opportunities with the players. Meanwhile, the new headquarters will be fully enclosed by November and could become operational by May 2026.