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Missing Broncos Fan Hitchhiked 90 Miles

Alex Olson Contributor
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The man who vanished at halftime during last week’s Denver Broncos game has been found in Pueblo, Colorado — after hitchhiking and walking an estimated 90 miles.

Paul Kitterman, 53, was completely unharmed when he was discovered in the southern Colorado city, but questions remain as why he decided to make such an unexpected journey. Kitterman only indicated that he “had his fill of football,” according to Pueblo Police Sgt. Frank Ortega, NBC News reports.

Kitterman’s family had reported him missing to police after he left his seat at Sports Authority field in downtown Denver at half time during Thursday’s Broncos-Chargers game. It had been his first time seeing a Broncos game in person.

Tia Bakke, a friend of Kitterman’s who had seen and talked with him in the Stadium, said that he did not bring his cell phone or credit card to the game, but that he did have around $50 in cash, ABC News reports.

It is unclear whether Kitterman was still in possession of the money when he was found on Tuesday.

When he arrived in Pueblo, 200 miles from his home, Kitterman made a phone call from a Salvation Army locale to a friend who brought him to a hotel and alerted Pueblo police, who discovered him wandering around a KMart parking lot, KOAA reports.

Jarod Tonneson, the stepson Kitterman has taken with him to the game, gave some insights into his stepfather’s state of mind after he disappeared without a trace. “Paul is a simple guy, he doesn’t like technology, he doesn’t get into drama. He’s just an easygoing guy.” Tonneson went on to say that Kitterman had consumed only four or five beers in the four hours preceding his disappearance, an amount of alcohol unlikely to severely affect the judgement of a 5’7”, 190 lb. man. Neither did he have any “health or personal problems,” the Associated Press reports.