Photo by Rylee Lingenfelter
Fireworks explode in the air, as the crowd roars in celebration and cheers as jets fly through the air.
On the September 12th game in celebration of Richard Peace, making it into the University of Wyoming Football Hall of Fame, Peace, a member of the United States Air Guard, had F-35 and F-16 fly over the Wyoming game against Colorado. Wyoming won 21 to 13 that game, making the celebration of Peace seem like a good omen.
There was tension in the air as Wyoming played against their rival Colorado, both rivals in the UW Border Wars, and both sides trained over the summer to win against one another. Wyoming has already started its season with a loss to Colorado. This second game of the season, Wyoming was looking for revenge.
Peace was an accomplished athlete before serving in the United States Air Guard. He earned a total of 8 varsities during his time at the University of Wyoming. He most notably played wide receiver for the University of Wyoming Cowboys and led a successful year during 1996 with 10 wins and 2 loses, winning the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Pacific Division title.
This win streak includes winning during the Border War against Colorado, 25-24 in a final event known as “The Drive”. Peace’s help with the win against Colorado was symbolic of the victory that Peace had given the University of Wyoming back in 1996. Marking off September 12 as possibly one of the most memorable games of the year.
The National Anthem played during the start of the game with the crowd having their hands on their hearts and having a moment of silence for the cross-country tragedy and those who lost their lives during 9/11.
Afterwards, Peace flew over the War Memorial Stadium in his F-35 fighter jet to the cheers of the crowd from both sides. The sky was mostly clear, giving the sports fans an amazing view of the fighter jets gliding through the skies.
Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” rocked the stadium as fireworks burst in the air followed by a man on a horse guiding the kickoff with a Wyoming flag. Followed by the Cowboy football team charging onto the field to a roaring crowd. Officially starting the game between Wyoming and Colorado.
This celebration, with the bonus of a Wyoming win, is sure to be remembered amongst Wyoming Sports fans. This great event also marked the introduction of Peace into the University of Wyoming Hall of Fame during his time playing football and track during 1993 and 1997.
