Denver fans angry over Flacco poster

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was as surprised as anyone that a large banner with his image was hanging from Sports Authority Field at Mile High, and he says he can understand why Denver Broncos fans are miffed.

“I can’t believe it,” Flacco said on a conference call Sunday. “I can’t imagine people in our city would be too happy if somebody from another team was hanging from our stadium. I didn’t have anything to do with it.”

The banner is part of the promotion for the Ravens-Broncos NFL opener, and the controversy has rivaled the buzz about the game.

Fans have gone so far as to organize a petition drive to have the artwork at the stadium and around downtown removed.

“I figure I’m getting some heat for it,” Flacco told reporters. “But like I said, I didn’t go post it up there myself.”

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning said the NFL marketing plan including Flacco's image on the stadium “doesn’t seem like it makes sense.”

It was an eventful interview for Flacco. He also managed to mention that Johnny Manziel is fast becoming his favorite quarterback "now that everybody hates him."