DENVER — Relatives say Tim McKernan, the Denver Broncos fan known for wearing little more than a barrel at games, has died.

McKernan died of lung disease early Friday. He was 69.

For 30 years, in all types of weather, McKernan donned a barrel and cheered on the Broncos, first at Mile High Stadium and then later at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

He retired from being the Barrel Man after the 2007 Broncos season.

McKernan sold the barrel he wore for Super Bowl XXXII for $30,000. It was autographed by 49 players and was sold to a Black Hawk casino. McKernan gave part of the proceeds to a battered women's shelter.

___

Information from: KUSA-TV, http://www.9news.com