Our Main Man, Mingo

[cdumler7]

I haven't known him as long as many of you, but these last several years of contact here on this message board have been incredible and Mingo has been a big part of that. I appreciate those of you that have shared giving a greater and deeper picture of the man, the myth, the legend that is Mingo. This board will never be the same without him here, but I have appreciated every minute of reading his posts and have appreciated he has encouraged me beyond these boards in my regular life.

 

[iknowftbll]

Prayers up for his family. He will be missed here too, such a positive voice and so knowledgeable about the game.

 

[Draft Crazy]

I miss him already!

 

[SpringStein]

“Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole doesn’t he?”

(From It’s a Wonderful Life.)

 

[Draft Crazy]

I don’t really have a clever way of saying any of this. Matter of fact, in the past If I was writing this about someone else and wanted to make sure it “sounded good”, I would have sent it to Mingo to proof read and give me ideas on “How to make it sound better”. Mingo was that type of a friend. I have so many stories through the past 27 years I could shared where Mingo has offered a helping hand/advice in my life.

Sorry, this will probably be pretty long and I may end up jumping around because so many things run through my head when thinking about Mingo and my interactions with him.

I will spare repeating how I first met Mingo as I posted that earlier in this thread. There are stories I have never shared about Mingo while he was still here because I felt he wouldn’t want the attention or recognition for them. I will share a few. When I graduated High School (That’s right, I graduated ) I had known Mingo for about a year and a half. We chatted on the forum and though what many of you will remember, AOL/AIM. Mingo was the first person I ever added to my AIM contact buddies as they were called back then. Mingo would always keep in touch with life outside of football. I can remember him supporting me with my sports in High School. Always interested in how I was doing in football, basketball and baseball. I loved his humor and intelligence. He helped me with advice on college. I had an offer to play football at Coe College, a D3 school here in Iowa. I had suffered 3 concussions in football in High School. I remember Mingo talking me through that decision weather it was worth it to play for a college football team in which wasn’t really the college I wanted to attend. Was it worth it after suffering 3 concussions? What was I going to get out of it? Not making the decision for me but helping me lay out the pros and cons so I could come to my own decision. When it was finally time to graduate I remember Mingo asking me to send him a graduation invite. I thought it was an awesome request, at the same time I was a little nervous. I remember thinking how my parents were probably going to be a little creeped out if some random guy I chatted to on the internet showed up at my High School graduated from Texas. I wasn’t sure what to expect. A few weeks had gone by and I received a letter in the postal mail from someone from Texas, a guy named Scott Irot (Mingo). I opened up the mail not knowing what to expect and here Mingo had mailed me a generous graduation gift. His plan all along was to send me a gift and not show up at my parent’s house and creep them out. I was so taken back by this. How could someone I never met and only knew online be so generous to a high school kid he met on a sport message board? That was the type of person Mingo is. I never got to meet Mingo in person (although we talked about it) but I definitely “met” Mingo.

Mingo was always very supportive to me in my life with my passions, hobbies ad careers. He shared his own life experiences with me and helped guide me when needed just like others have here. He knew I had a love for the NFL Draft and I believe it was his idea for me start my ow NFL Draft Website. Through the years he would read my articles, look at my rankings, look at my player interviews and offer advice. He would give me tips on Colorado players to look out for whatever the case may be. He was always interested in what I was doing and that meant more the he will probably ever know. I was heavily involved in helping my oldest niece with her college basketball recruiting… Mingo would get on the phone with me and offer advice for her. He never met her, talked to her a day in her life but he was always interested, supportive and rooting for her. I would reach out to college and I would always go to Mingo for advice. Weather it was my draft articles, football recruiting I helped players or my niece out with I would always go to Mingo for help. I would often send him an email of a letter I was sending to teams/ colleges and have him read it and ask him if I should delete or add something… Only to receive a response a few hours later where he took exactly what I meant to say and put it into much better words. (Thankfully, he left the spelling of player names up to me in the letter).

Mingo showed his kindness and huge heart in many ways. I have so many examples that it would take me all day to write about them. I will never forget, during covid I had a high school classmate/friend pass away from covid. I was telling Mingo about it. He asked me to send him a link to the obituary so he could read it.. A few days later one of the family members posted a Go Fund me page to help pay for the funeral. I will never forget clicking on the link and checking out all of the donations (Yes, I was being snoopy to see who donated ) As I am scrolling/snooping through the list I see all these familiar names of classmates, friends, people from my small town donating.. Suddenly, I come across the name Scott Irot on the donation list. I was speechless. I wasn’t expecting that. It just shows how generous/caring he was.

The last time I spoke to Mingo on the phone was a really awesome conversation filled with laughter and jokes. He had called me because my niece was transferring college. She was going to try and walk on with the Iowa State basketball team. I had helped her with a letter to send to the team. I asked Mingo to look it over. It was easier for him to call me on the phone to ask some questions and offer the advice. That was my longest phone call I have had with Mingo and I am so thankful we had it. What started with advice in the letter I was having her mail to Iowa State ended up being an hour and a half phone call about the transfer portal, Colorado football, Colorado and Iowa women’s basketball, Bo Nix and Broncos football and politics since we shared the same views. I can still remember how much he laughed on that call. I don’t know why but it is something I will never forget. He seemed so happy.

Mingo is one of the few people I enjoyed talking politics with. He was my political guru.

LGM, I think it is awesome that you brought up the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. I totally forgot about that story and I wish I had remembered it because I have visited the site 3 times in the last 10 years and wish I had sent Mingo a picture or something while I was there.


I had texted two long time Mouth Off/KFFL members who no longer post here who I stay in touch with who knew Mingo well. One of them brought up the Tomb of the Unknown Solider story and the other replied to me with this, “Scott was a good man with a kind soul, he will be greatly missed”.


I will miss having him in my fantasy league (Mingo is the only person other then myself to be in our DCFFL fantasy league from the established year which was like 1999 or something)
I will miss talking NFL Draft or any sports in general with Mingo. Hell, he was really the only person I could have a good women’s college basketball discussion with).

I will miss LGM, SpringStein and I predicting how high Mingo will take Denver Broncos players in our fantasy league. I will miss LGM trying to get a rise out of Mingo by taking the Broncos Defense before he could (It didn’t happen much, Mingo always knew when to take them) I will never forget on draft night when the Broncos drafted Bo Nix, the first thing I texted LGM and Springstein was “We know who Mingo’s first round pick in DCFFL will be”.

I am sorry this was so long and probably not worded well but

I will miss his kindness.
I will miss his big heart.
I will miss humor.
I will miss his laugh.
I will miss his haikus.
I will miss razzing him about misspelling a players name and then have him pounce on the opportunity to call me out when the opportunity was there.
I will miss him drafting half the Broncos roster in the fantasy league LGM, SpringStein and I are in with him.
I will miss so much more and many of stuff in which I don’t even realize right now.
bust most of all….


I will miss Mingo.

I will leave with this… I think it is super fitting that Mingo recently changed his avatar to a photo of Terrell Davis giving a salute. The glory years of the Broncos, which were the years of the beginning for many of us of knowing Mingo. I can’t help but wonder if Mingo didn’t want to worry us but he may have known a little more than he let on after his recent hospital stints a few months back. Was this a salute from Mingo to us?

 

[Draft Crazy]

Will also never forgot Mingo reminding me he played football at Cal Berkley (For a year or something)
Was at the famous Stanford/California game "The band is on the field"
and was once arrested for protesting

 

[nflbronco]

Still in shock by this. I have a terrible time expressing my feelings about people I never met and only interacted on here. I think it was 2005 when I joined KFFL and I got to meet Mingo and all of you. I lack the history with him like SS DC and LGM had so what I say might seem small and not what Mingo the man he was deserves. Anytime you come across someone just on a message board and say to yourself I wish I could have met him in person speaks volumes to the man he is (I'm not ready to say was) I admired and respected him. He always had the ability to turn my frown upside down with funny sayings emoji's. His love for CU and the Broncos is what a true fan is all about. I loved him calling me the professor and teasing him about spelling. Thank You Scott I will never forget you,,


To Pete son and Scott's daughter I send you my deepest condolences I loved your dad so much. This board will from now on will be Mingo's Broncos board

 

[Draft Crazy]

Still in shock by this. I have a terrible time expressing my feelings about people I never met and only interacted on here. I think it was 2005 when I joined KFFL and I got to meet Mingo and all of you. I lack the history with him like SS DC and LGM had so what I say might seem small and not what Mingo the man he was deserves. Anytime you come across someone just on a message board and say to yourself I wish I could have met him in person speaks volumes to the man he is (I'm not ready to say was) I admired and respected him. He always had the ability to turn my frown upside down with funny sayings emoji's. His love for CU and the Broncos is what a true fan is all about. I loved him calling me the professor and teasing him about spelling. Thank You Scott I will never forget you,,


To Pete son and Scott's daughter I send you my deepest condolences I loved your dad so much. This board will from now on will be Mingo's Broncos board

Thanks for sharing @nflbronco Nothing you say seems small.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Another fun memory of Mingo I thought of...

Years ago I Mingo made a prediction (Can't remember what it was but I think it had something to do with Renaldo Hill when he was with Denver) I told him I bet him a car it wouldn't happen.

He said deal was on.

Mingo lost the bet. I figured he obviously isn't going to send me a car nor would I expect him to stay true on that bet... Few days later a package came in the mail from Mingo. He didn't send me 1 car... He sent me a box of 25 matchbox cars.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Tagging a few people.

@IronJaw
@PumpFake
@listopencil
@DonMan

 

[58crash]

Just bumbed in ways I cannot explain .

Tell me were to send money for him some flowers ..

To the person doing it orange a blue flowers ..just saying

 

[Orangeisback]

Breaks my heart to read this. So sorry about all of this.

 

[58crash]

@Draft Crazy or @SpringStein Lets all pitch into buy Mingo some Flowers give me a way to send you some money .

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I didn't know Mingo very well, but I am so very sorry for those that lost a friend, and to his family that I am sure based on what internet friends say about him, are missing a genuinely good son, husband, father, neighbor. What your loss is, is heaven's gain. From this plain, he ascends to watch over all of you. His body may be gone, but the impact he made while here is a lasting one. Remember him, remember he is with our Lord and Savior, and that one day you will be reunited in His glory. May this holiday season bring you all joy in remembering your friend. God bless.

 

[Draft Crazy]

Just wanted to post a picture of our friend Mingo.

 

[Mountain Bronco]

So sad to come in and see this news after a bit of an absence. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends that know him well. While I didn't know Mingo at all other than reading his posts, I loved reading Mingo's posts on here and his super upbeat takes. What a great way to lead a life filled with positivity. When I first joined the board a few years back someone jumped all over an opinion post I made (can't remember who what or why and it doesn't matter) but Mingo was quick to send me a PM letting me know not to worry about it and that he hoped I would continue to participate on the board. I thought that was extremely kind from someone I had never met or interacted with at all. The board and world lost a good one. RIP Mingo!

 

[Swords]

What a great picture!!!

If you seen his name next to a post you'd always have to check it out. He was pure quality. Like I told DC the other day, he had a deep knowledge with a hint of humor but was never over the top. Very kind and just an all around great guy. Along with his other accolades, I believe he had an award winning garden. He was an Old Guard Infantry soldier and Berkeley alum. What a mix!!! I had no idea he was in ill health. Complete shock. By the testimonies of those here - it's safe to say his life was full and his memory will not fade. He truly will be missed.


My family and I offer our heart felt condolences to his loved ones and those who held him dear.


You've stood your watch well, my brother
Requiescant in pace

 

[iknowftbll]

There's never a good time of year to lose a loved one, but it does feel like just before Christmas is especially difficult. My prayers for Mingo's family continue. And for each of us here. I'm not as frequent here as some of you, and even though sports (entertainment) is what has brought this group together it doesn't make the relationships and friendships any less real. Praying each of you have a wonderful holiday and though I don't discuss matters of faith in this forum all that often (or ever) I'll say this:

In the past 4 years I went through a very ugly divorce. I've lost friends and have fought to maintain relationships with my own kids. I've made career changes, having retired from the Marines, and most recently have been laid off from my current employer, with my last day of work just after the new year. In a time of struggle, or in the loss of a loved one, and all that in front of the backdrop of so much uncertainty everywhere in the world right now, it's easy to question where is God in all of this. Or we can take hope in the truth that, despite everything we know God is in control.

Philippians 4:7 refers to a peace that "Passes all understanding." I don't think I ever fully understood or appreciated what that meant until I was truly aware of all the uncertainty, pain, loss, and heartache in the world. But on some small level, I get it now. Not that I've had some major breakthrough so much as just seeing that choosing faith in a time of uncertainty truly is better than the alternative. That choice has given me a lot of peace in a turbulent chapter and a season of loss. I pray the same for Mingo's family during this difficult time, and also in this holiday season for each of you.

 

[Draft Crazy]

There's never a good time of year to lose a loved one, but it does feel like just before Christmas is especially difficult. My prayers for Mingo's family continue. And for each of us here. I'm not as frequent here as some of you, and even though sports (entertainment) is what has brought this group together it doesn't make the relationships and friendships any less real. Praying each of you have a wonderful holiday and though I don't discuss matters of faith in this forum all that often (or ever) I'll say this:

In the past 4 years I went through a very ugly divorce. I've lost friends and have fought to maintain relationships with my own kids. I've made career changes, having retired from the Marines, and most recently have been laid off from my current employer, with my last day of work just after the new year. In a time of struggle, or in the loss of a loved one, and all that in front of the backdrop of so much uncertainty everywhere in the world right now, it's easy to question where is God in all of this. Or we can take hope in the truth that, despite everything we know God is in control.

Philippians 4:7 refers to a peace that "Passes all understanding." I don't think I ever fully understood or appreciated what that meant until I was truly aware of all the uncertainty, pain, loss, and heartache in the world. But on some small level, I get it now. Not that I've had some major breakthrough so much as just seeing that choosing faith in a time of uncertainty truly is better than the alternative. That choice has given me a lot of peace in a turbulent chapter and a season of loss. I pray the same for Mingo's family during this difficult time, and also in this holiday season for each of you.

Sorry to hear you had to go through all of that. Keep fighting. It will get better. We are always here for you.

 

[iknowftbll]

Sorry to hear you had to go through all of that. Keep fighting. It will get better. We are always here for you.

I appreciate but I only share that because it’s easy to say what I said when things are great. And while I’m not in a place of crisis, it’s fair to say they’re not going great by most people’s standards. And still my point remains. This thread isn’t about me, it’s about our friend Mingo and those who were close to him.