MILE HIGH LEGACY
The Denver Post 5990 Washington St. Denver, CO 80216
Bill Reynolds, General Manager, Senior Vice President, Circulation and Operations
Steve Johansson, Director of Circulation Operation
Tracy Ulmer, President and CEO, Denver Post Community Foundation
Nate Peterson, Sports editor
Patrick Traylor, Senior editor/ photography and multimedia
Chapter introductions by Sam Adams
Photos curated by John Sunderland
Copyright © 2026 by The Denver Post
All Rights Reserved • ISBN: 978-1-59725-201-9
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright owner or the publisher.
Published by Pediment Publishing, a division of The Pediment Group, Inc. www.pediment.com • Printed in Canada
This book is an unofficial account of the Denver Broncos’ history and is not endorsed by the NFL or the Denver Broncos.
Fans, decked in orange and blue clothing, cheer on their Broncos in 1988.
THE DENVER POST
John Elway celebrates the Broncos’ Super Bowl XXXIII victory on Jan. 31, 1999. Elway, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, led the Broncos to a 34-19 win over the Atlanta Falcons. THE DENVER POST
DeMarcus Ware hoists the Vince
Trophy in a crowd of teammates and family after the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Feb. 7, 2016.
Lombardi
JOE AMON / THE DENVER POST
THE 1960s
In the year 1960, motorists paid 30 cents a gallon for gas, while a loaf of bread cost 20 cents and the average price of a house was less than $20,000 … and the Denver Broncos of the American Football League wore vertical-striped socks with their brownand-yellow uniforms in their inaugural season.
On Friday, Sept. 9, 1960, the Boston Patriots hosted the Broncos at Nickerson Field. Boston scored first on a field goal. But quarterback Frank Tripucka’s 59-yard touchdown pass to Al Carmichael, and Gene Mingo’s 76-yard punt return for a touchdown gave Denver the points it needed for a 13-10 win.
The new Broncos played their first three games on the road. Once home at Bears Stadium, a 31-14 win Oct. 2, 1960, over the Oakland Raiders gave coach Frank Filchock’s team a glossy 3-1 record.
Four games into the season, the 33-year-old Tripucka had six touchdown passes. The most impressive stat of Denver’s early season was defensive back Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin’s seven interceptions in the team’s first three games.
Gonsoulin finished the season with 11 interceptions — still a franchise single-season record. So are Tripucka’s 34 interceptions thrown in 1960. The promising start hit a tailspin. The
Broncos’ first season ended with a 4-9-1 record, giving them the AFL’s worst record and the first pick overall in the 1961 draft.
Bob Howsam sold the team in 1961 to Gerald Phipps and Cal Kunz. The following season, with new head coach Jack Faulkner, the Broncos finished 7-7 — a disappointing finish considering the team won seven of its first nine games. Denver won only four of its next 28 games, and Faulkner lost his job. Mac Speedie took over early in the 1964 season, but the losing ways continued in 1965.
The Broncos’ brightest star during those early dark days was wide receiver Lionel Taylor, who became the first player in pro football history to catch 100 passes in a season (1961) and had four 1,000-yard seasons in the AFL’s first six years.
The constant losing did not help the Broncos’ cause in the AFL drafts. They selected high-profile college stars only to be spurned, players the likes of future Pro Football Hall of Famers Merlin Olsen (first round 1962), Dick Butkus (second round 1965) and defensive lineman Curly Culp (second round 1968).
In 1964 the Broncos drafted three players who would become Hall of Fame inductees after their NFL careers ended — offensive lineman Bob Brown
(first round), defensive back Paul Krause (12th round) and wide receiver Bob Hayes (14th round).
One college star who didn’t get away from the Broncos was Syracuse University running back Floyd Little. The first NFL/AFL common draft was held in 1967, and Denver selected Little with the sixth pick overall. At 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, Little was both an elusive and powerful bow-legged runner, which made him the gate attraction that Denver’s front office desperately needed.
“I first heard it when I arrived (in 1973), I started to understand that it’s likely the franchise wouldn’t have even existed without Floyd Little,” said Broncos Ring of Fame linebacker Tom Jackson, who was a rookie in 1973 and Little’s teammate for three seasons.
“You lose 13 seasons in a row, maintain a franchise and have the stands packed … it was happening because of Floyd.”
Little’s arrival in 1967 coincided with the arrival of new coach Lou Saban — who was the Patriots’ coach in 1960 when the Broncos beat them in the AFL’s first game. Prolonged losing spells in 1967, 1968 and 1969 left the Broncos under .500 each season, while searching for answers on how to reach respectability in the 1970s.
AUG.
14, 1959
A TEAM IS BORN
The Denver Broncos are founded when Minor League Baseball owner Bob Howsam is awarded an American Football League (AFL) charter franchise.
RIGHT: Construction begins at Bears Stadium to remodel the facility for football use. On hand for the groundbreaking were, left to right: Earl Howsam, Earl Hartman, Ralph Mitchell, Lee Howsam and Bob Howsam. Mitchell was the general manager of Gerald Phipps Inc., the contractor for the job. The others are officials of Rocky Mountain Empire Sports, Inc., owner of the Broncos’ franchise in the new AFL pro grid circuit. THE DENVER POST
BELOW: Broncos owner Bob Howsam at Bears Stadium prior to the renovation to turn it into a football stadium. THE DENVER POST
SEPT. 9, 1960
BRONCOS WIN FIRST AFL GAME
Frank Tripucka’s 59yard touchdown pass to Al Carmichael is the first touchdown scored in AFL history, and helps the Broncos win the league’s first game ever played, 13-10 against the host Boston Patriots.
LEFT: Head coach Frank Filchock sends his Broncos into battle.
THE DENVER POST
FAR LEFT: The Broncos’ first quarterback, Frank Tripucka, warms up during practice. THE DENVER POST
JAN.
24, 1971
PRO BOWLERS JACKSON AND LITTLE
First-team All-Pro defensive lineman Rich Jackson and running back Floyd Little are the first Broncos selected to play in the Pro Bowl.
RIGHT: Quarterback Bill Nelsen of the Cleveland Browns is crunched by Denver’s Rich Jackson (87). BARRY STAVER / THE DENVER POST
BELOW: Floyd Little (44) doesn’t let a little thing like seven tacklers stop him on a 12-yard touchdown run against the San Diego Chargers, Dec. 12, 1971.
BARRY STAVER / THE DENVER POST
SEPT. 19, 1971
HALF A LOAF
Denver opens the regular season at home with a tie, 10-10 against the Miami Dolphins. Afterward, Broncos coach Lou Saban utters the infamous phrase, “Half a loaf is better than none.” Saban resigned as head coach after nine games and was replaced by Jerry Smith.
ABOVE: Broncos coach Lou Saban throws some choice words at line judge Bill Summers after a call that didn’t go in Denver’s favor. BILL WUNSCH / THE DENVER POST
LEFT: Broncos center George Goeddeke reflects the mood of the team as he sits on the bench near the end of the game in Philadelphia on Oct. 31, 1971. The Eagles won 17-16, scoring on a blocked punt and taking advantage of five Broncos turnovers. THE DENVER POST
JAN. 11, 1987
ELWAY ON THE MAP, BUT ONE GAME SHORT
“The Drive”— John Elway’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Mark Jackson ends an improbable 98-yard game-tying fourth-quarter comeback drive against the Browns, in the AFC Championship Game played at frigid Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The Broncos won 23-20 in overtime and advanced to Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena, Calif., losing 39-20 to the New York Giants.
OPPOSITE: Super Bowl XXI where the Denver Broncos met the New York Giants on Jan. 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. The Giants won 39-20. THE
ABOVE: Denver Broncos wide receiver Vance Johnson waves at the crowd from the float he was riding on. THE DENVER POST
RIGHT: Broncos’ welcome home parade at Broadway and Cleveland Place in downtown Denver, January 1987. SUSAN BIDDLE / THE DENVER POST
DENVER POST
JAN. 4, 1992
OVERDRIVE
John Elway engineers yet another fourth-quarter playoff comeback, and the Broncos defeat the Houston Oilers 26-24 at Mile High.
RIGHT: John Elway celebrates a touchdown.
BELOW: Vance Johnson raises his helmet in triumph after the Broncos beat the Oilers, Jan. 4, 1992. THE DENVER POST
SHAUN STANLEY / THE DENVER POST
JAN. 12, 1992
PLEAD THE FIFTH
Playing in their AFC-record fifth conference championship game, Denver’s D led by NFL defensive rookie of the year Mike Croel slows Buffalo’s vaunted K-Gun offense. But the Broncos lose John Elway to injury, and the game 10-7 to the Bills at Rich Stadium.
BELOW: Mike Croel runs to the sideline, Jan. 12, 1992. THE DENVER POST
DEC. 27, 1992
SACK MASTER
Future Ring of Fame linebacker Simon Fletcher records two sacks in Kansas City to finish the season with a franchise-record 16.
ABOVE: Simon Fletcher zeroes in on Hugh Millen for the sack during the Broncos’ 20-3 win against the Patriots, Dec. 1, 1991. THE DENVER POST
DEC. 23, 2000
HISTORIC FAREWELL
The Broncos play their final game ever at Mile High Stadium, defeating San Francisco 38-9 before the second-largest crowd in the stadium’s history, 76,098. It was the largest crowd ever for a Broncos regular season game. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Trevor Pryce had one of Denver’s six quarterback sacks, and the Broncos’ offense generated five touchdowns.
RIGHT: Video and television cameras surround the Broncos in their pre-game on-field huddle for the final game at Mile High Stadium on Dec. 23, 2000.
BELOW RIGHT: Former Broncos quarterback John Elway and his son, Jack, on the Broncos sideline during the first half against the 49ers. JOHN LEYBA / THE DENVER POST
FAR RIGHT: The Broncos’ Mike Anderson hangs on to the ball and attempts to stiff-arm 49ers defender Zack Bronson. CRAIG F. WALKER / THE DENVER POST
CRAIG F. WALKER / THE DENVER POST
Fireworks top off the post-game festivities after the final Denver Broncos football game at Mile High Stadium on Dec. 23, 2000. CRAIG F. WALKER / THE DENVER POST
AUG. 7, 2010
LITTLE’S HUGE HONOR
Running back Floyd Little is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Little is the Broncos’ first draft choice inducted after playing his entire career with the team.
BELOW: Floyd Little during halftime ceremonies of the Broncos’ game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sept. 26, 2010. ANDY CROSS / THE DENVER POST
NOV. 14, 2010
RARE LAUGHTER AT INVESCO
Broncos jump out to a 35-0 second-quarter lead against the Chiefs, and win 49-29 to snap a fourgame losing streak. Quarterback Kyle Orton threw three first-quarter touchdown passes and running back Knowshon Moreno rushed for 106 yards.
ABOVE: Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (8) throws the ball during the first quarter of play against the Kansas City Chiefs, Nov. 14, 2010, at Invesco Field at Mile High. ANDY CROSS / THE DENVER POST
DEC. 6, 2010
STUDESVILLE NAMED INTERIM HEAD COACH
With the team’s record at 3-9, Josh McDaniels is fired. Running backs coach Eric Studesville steps in as interim head coach for the season’s final four games.
LEFT: Denver Broncos interim head coach Eric Studesville paces the sidelines against the Houston Texans, Dec. 26, 2010, at Invesco Field at Mile High. JOE AMON / THE DENVER POST
BELOW LEFT: Fan sentiment is clear during the Denver Broncos’ loss to the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Nov. 22, 2010. The Chargers whipped the Broncos 35-14. JOE AMON / THE DENVER POST
DEC. 19, 2010
TEBOW GETS TO START
Rookie quarterback Tim Tebow makes his first NFL start in Oakland. The Broncos lose 39-23, but Tebow scores the team’s first touchdown on a 40-yard run.
LEFT: Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) confers with interim head coach Eric Studesville. JOE AMON / THE DENVER POST
SUTTON’S COMEBACK
After missing most of 2020 with a torn ACL, Courtland Sutton announces his return with career highs of nine catches for 159 yards as Denver beat Jacksonville to start 2-0. On a play where Bridgewater extended from a collapsing pocket, Sutton broke free for a 55-yard reception. “No play is dead until they blow the whistle,” Sutton said. Coach Vic Fangio’s assessment was simpler: “He’s back.”
BELOW: Courtland Sutton (14) signals first down after making a catch against the Jaguars. Denver went on to beat Jacksonville 23-13. ANDY CROSS / THE DENVER POST
OCT. 3, 2021
JAVONTE’S TRUCK STOP
Rookie running back Javonte Williams, the Broncos’ second-round pick out of North Carolina, declares himself to the NFL with a breathtaking run against Baltimore in which he carried multiple Ravens defenders and refused to go down. Though Denver lost the game 23-7, Williams’ power-running style thrilled fans and established him as a cornerstone of the offense.
ABOVE: Javonte Williams (33) makes a big “trucking” run against the Baltimore Ravens. RJ SANGOSTI / THE DENVER POST
OCT. 31, 2021
MANNING JOINS THE RING
Peyton Manning rubbed and patted his bronze bust atop an eight-foot pillar in the Ring of Fame Plaza, then patted its backside “as if it were one of his wideouts.” His son Marshall presented the orange Ring of Fame blazer as 1,000 fans chanted “PFM!” Manning then swapped the blazer for an orange No. 18 jersey and threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley on the field. “Signing with Denver was the best decision I ever made,” Manning said. “Football was fun again.”
LEFT: Archie Manning gives son Peyton a thumbs-up during the Ring of Fame ceremony. RJ SANGOSTI / THE DENVER POST