|
Although the Denver Broncos' 39-97-4 record
was the worst of any of the original eight American Football
League teams', the franchise had many proud moments and several
AFL superstars, including Lionel Taylor and Floyd Little.
The Broncos won the first-ever American Football League game,
over the Boston Patriots (13-10) on September 9, 1960. They
had the first black place-kicker in professional football,
Gene Mingo. They were the first AFL team ever to defeat an
NFL team, on August 5, 1967 when they beat the Lions 13-7.
They were the first pro football team to wear vertically-striped
socks (and the first to burn their socks in a public ceremony!).
Despite their relative lack of early success, the Broncos
produced some memorable games, like the 38-38 tie against
the Buffalo Bills in 1960.
Denver
has reached the Super Bowl six times, winning it in the 1997
and 1998 seasons. It is odd to remember a time, then, when
Denver was the lowliest of teams, managing its first winning
season in 1973 after thirteen years of futility. Denver, in
fact, came close to losing its franchise in 1965, but a local
ownership group took control that year and began to build
the team.
In
1967, under head coach Lou Saban, Denver took the field with
almost two dozen rookies on its roster; though Saban's tenure
was unsuccessful, it set the stage for later successes. In
1973, John Ralston coached the now-mature Broncos to a 7-5-2
record, including a dramatic tie with Oakland in Denver's
first-ever Monday Night Football appearance that is still
remembered as a pivotal game in Bronco history. Ralston coached
the team until 1976, when well-publicized clashes between
Ralston and his players led to Ralston's removal.
Rookie
coach Red Miller promptly took Denver to its first playoff
appearance -- and ultimately first Super Bowl -- in 1977.
Prior to 1977 season, Denver had received very little natonal
attention and was rarely featured on nationally-televised
games.
Quarterback
John Elway arrived in 1983. Originally drafted by the Baltimore
Colts as the number one pick of the draft, Elway proclaimed
that he would shun football in favor of baseball unless he
was traded to a selected list of other teams, which included
Denver. Prior to Elway, Denver had had over two dozen different
starting quarterbacks in its twenty-three seasons to that
point. Elway would remain the quarterback through five Super
Bowls, three under head coach Dan Reeves and two under Mike
Shanahan, and would end his career as the MVP of Super Bowl
XXXIII, his last NFL game. The Broncos are the last pro football
team to date to repeat as world champions.
Founded: 1960, (charter member of the American
Football League; joined the NFL in the 1970 merger.)
Home stadium: INVESCO Field at Mile High
(capacity 76,125).
Uniform colors: "Broncos Navy Blue",
Orange, and White
Helmet design: Navy Blue background with
a white horse-head profile.
|
Arizona
Cardinals 
