Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has admitted that he "couldn't believe" banners of him were hung throughout Denver to promote the opening match of the new NFL season between his side and the Broncos.
A large Flacco picture currently hangs alongside that of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning on the front of the Sports Authority Field at Mile High, while a number of other banners emblazoned with Flacco's face have appeared throughout the city.
The decision to promote last season's Super Bowl MVP so strongly in the town where his side will kick off their defence has prompted anger from local fans, and Flacco concedes that he is puzzled by the decision as well.
"Somebody texted me a few nights back, when it first came out. I couldn't believe it," ESPN quotes Flacco as saying.
"I think it's all deserved, I don't know if it's deserved towards me, I happen to be the guy they put up there. [But] I don't think here or anybody in our city would be too happy if we had somebody else from a different [team] on our stadium.
"I wouldn't expect anything different than all of the people in Denver to be pretty upset by it."
The new NFL season gets underway with the Broncos hosting the Ravens on Thursday.
Barney Corkhill
