Animal joins crowd during Broncos’ game against Raiders at Empower Field

DENVER ( KDVR ) — On Sunday afternoon, Denver Broncos fans poured into Empower Field with painted faces and orange outfits to watch the game – but that wasn’t the only thing at the stadium.

There was also a surprise attendee in the crowd.

The Broncos wore their beloved 1977-inspired “Orange Crush” uniforms for the first time this season honoring when Denver beat the Raiders in the 1977 AFC Championship Game. The team also changed the field to look like it did on Jan. 1, 1978, when the Broncos advanced to the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

Although Sunday started with the Broncos down 10-0 in the first quarter, the team came back for a 34-18 win against the Raiders , marking their first victory against the Raiders in almost five years. Throughout the game, fans could be heard outside the stadium, cheering especially loud when Pat Surtain II picked off a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.

While the stadium was covered in orange with some Raiders fans throughout the crowd, another attendee joined in on the fun. One fan in Section 231 of the stadium took a photo of the visitor, which showed a raccoon escaping capture and a Broncos fan in the background dodging the animal.

FOX31 reached out the the Broncos about the incident, who released the following statement:

“There was a rare occurrence that required Animal Control during Sunday’s game at Empower Field at Mile High that was promptly resolved in coordination with our stadium staff,” said a spokesperson for the Denver Broncos.

Other videos and photos have been around the internet since Sunday’s game.

FOX31 received a video captured in the lower level of the end zone showing police and a response team trapping the raccoon in a bin and trying to transfer the animal to a cage. However, the video showed the raccoon escaping again and running through the stands as Broncos and Raiders fans alike jumped out of the way.

Another video shows the raccoon running down the aisles at fans’ feet.

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