The History of the Denver Broncos.

by Gary J. Broome on April 18, 2023

The History of the Denver Broncos

Origins of the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. The group was founded in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and later joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1970 as part of the AFL-NFL merger.


The birth of the Denver Broncos franchise can be traced back to August 14, 1959, when Bob Howsam, a minor league baseball owner in Denver, was awarded the eighth and final franchise in the American Football League. The team was named the Broncos after the famous horse symbolizing the Wild West.


The Broncos' first game was played on September 9, 1960, against the Boston Patriots, which they lost 13-10. The team struggled in its early years, finishing with a losing record in its first seven seasons. However, the Broncos slowly built a competitive team through the draft and free agency.


In 1965, the Broncos hired Lou Saban as head coach. Saban brought a new level of discipline and professionalism to the team, which helped the Broncos turn the corner. Under Saban, the team won its first-ever playoff game in 1977, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round.


The Broncos' early success was not sustained, and the team struggled in the late 1970s. In 1977, the team hired Red Miller as head coach, and he immediately made an impact. Miller led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1978, where they lost to the Dallas Cowboys 27-10.


Despite the loss, Miller's Broncos team had established themselves as a legitimate contender in the AFC. The team's success continued into the 1980s, as John Elway became the face of the franchise after being drafted by the team in 1983.


Elway's arrival marked a turning point for the franchise. The Broncos won back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1997 and 1998, solidifying their place as one of the NFL's premier franchises.


In the years following Elway's retirement, the Broncos continued to compete at a high level, winning their third Super Bowl championship in 2016 under the leadership of Peyton Manning and head coach Gary Kubiak.


Today, the Broncos are still one of the NFL's most popular and successful franchises. The team has a loyal fan base and a history of winning that inspires generations of football fans in Denver and beyond.



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The AFL Years


The Denver Broncos were an American Football League (AFL) charter member in 1960, and struggles and disappointment marked the team's early years. However, the group began to find success in the mid-1960s under the guidance of head coach Lou Saban.


The Broncos' first game in the AFL was on September 9, 1960, against the Boston Patriots, which they lost 13-10. The team finished with a 4-9-1 record in its inaugural season, and the next several years saw the Broncos struggle to establish themselves as a competitive team in the league.


The Broncos made their first playoff appearance in 1977 under the leadership of Saban. The team had a 12-2 regular season record and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round of the playoffs before losing to the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game.


The Broncos' success in 1977 was primarily due to the emergence of a dominant defense nicknamed the "Orange Crush." The unit was led by players like Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson, and Lyle Alzado, and it helped the team become one of the best in the league.


The Broncos' defense continued to be a strength in the years that followed, and the team made several more playoff appearances in the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, the team was unable to win a championship during this time.


In 1978, the team hired Red Miller as head coach. Miller led the Broncos to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance that same year, where they lost to the Dallas Cowboys 27-10. The Broncos' appearance in the Super Bowl helped to establish the team as a legitimate contender in the AFC.


Despite the loss in the Super Bowl, the Broncos' success in 1978 was a sign of things to come. The team continued to improve over the next several years, and in 1983, the Broncos drafted John Elway, who would become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.


Today, the Broncos are one of the NFL's most successful franchises, with three Super Bowl championships. The team's early struggles in the AFL have been forgotten, replaced by a legacy of winning and excellence that inspires generations of football fans in Denver and beyond.



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The Super Bowl Era Begins


The Denver Broncos emerged as a football powerhouse in the 1970s, and the team's success continued into the 1980s under the leadership of head coach Red Miller. The team's first Super Bowl appearance in 1978 marked the beginning of a new era of success for the franchise.


The AFL merged with the NFL in 1970, and the Denver Broncos joined the newly formed American Football Conference (AFC). The team struggled in the early years of the merger, but hiring Red Miller as head coach in 1977 changed the team's fortunes.


Under Miller's leadership, the Broncos became one of the most dominant teams in the AFC. In 1977, the team finished with a 12-2 regular season record, the best in the league. The team's defense, led by players like Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson, was among the best in the NFL, and quarterback Craig Morton led the offense.


The Broncos' success in 1977 followed another strong season in 1978. The team finished with a 10-6 record and made its first-ever Super Bowl appearance, facing the Dallas Cowboys. The game was played in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was attended by over 76,000 fans.


Unfortunately for the Broncos, the game did not go as planned, and they lost to the Cowboys by a score of 27-10. However, the team's appearance in the Super Bowl helped to establish the franchise as one of the best in the NFL.


The Broncos continued to be a force in the AFC in the years that followed, making several more playoff appearances in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The team was led by players like Randy Gradishar, Steve Foley, and Louis Wright, who helped to establish the team's reputation as one of the toughest in the league.


Despite the team's success, the Broncos could not win a Super Bowl championship during this time. However, the team's success in the late 1970s and early 1980s laid the foundation for the team's future success, which would come under the leadership of quarterback John Elway in the 1980s and 1990s.


Today, the Denver Broncos are one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, with three Super Bowl championships. The team's success in the 1970s and 1980s helped establish the franchise as a dominant force in the league. The team's legacy of winning and excellence inspires generations of football fans in Denver and beyond.



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The John Elway and the Glory Years


The Denver Broncos enjoyed their most tremendous success in the 1980s and 1990s, mainly due to the play of quarterback John Elway. Elway's arrival in Denver in 1983 marked a turning point for the franchise, and his leadership helped the team win back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1997 and 1998.


The Broncos drafted John Elway with the first overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, and the quarterback quickly established himself as one of the league's most talented players. Elway's combination of athleticism, arm strength, and leadership made him a perfect fit for the Broncos, and he quickly became the face of the franchise.


Despite Elway's talent, the Broncos struggled in the early years of his career. The team made the playoffs twice in his first seven seasons, and they could not advance beyond the divisional round in either of those appearances.


The Broncos' fortunes changed in the early 1990s as the front office began building a team around Elway that could compete for a championship. The team's defense, led by players like Steve Atwater and Karl Mecklenburg, was among the best in the NFL, and the addition of players like Shannon Sharpe and Terrell Davis bolstered the offense.


The team's success came to a head in the late 1990s when the Broncos won back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1997 and 1998. The team's victory in Super Bowl XXXII over the Green Bay Packers was particularly memorable, as it was the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.


Elway's performance in the Super Bowl was one of the most memorable in NFL history, as he led the Broncos on a game-winning drive in the game's final minutes. Elway's performance in Super Bowl XXXIII the following year was equally impressive, as he helped lead the Broncos to another championship.


Elway retired following the 1998 season, leaving a legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. His leadership and talent helped the Broncos become one of the NFL's premier franchises, and the team's success in the 1980s and 1990s established a winning tradition that continues to this day.


Today, the Denver Broncos are still one of the NFL's most successful franchises, with three Super Bowl championships. The team's legacy of winning and excellence can be traced back to the arrival of John Elway in 1983, and his leadership and talent will always be remembered as a vital part of the Broncos' storied history.



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The Post-Elway Era


The Denver Broncos entered a new era following the retirement of quarterback John Elway in 1999. Despite the challenges of transitioning to a new quarterback, the team continued to be competitive under the leadership of head coach Mike Shanahan and the emergence of players like Terrell Davis and Rod Smith.


John Elway retired following the 1998 season, leaving the Broncos with a significant void at the quarterback position. The team needed help finding a suitable replacement, cycling through several quarterbacks in the following years.


Despite the challenges of replacing a legend like Elway, the Broncos continued to be competitive under the leadership of head coach Mike Shanahan. The team made the playoffs in six of Shanahan's 14 seasons as head coach, including a run to the AFC Championship Game in 2005.


The team's success in the post-Elway era was mainly due to the emergence of several key players. Running back Terrell Davis became one of the most dominant players in the NFL, winning two rushing titles and a Super Bowl MVP award. Wide receiver Rod Smith also emerged as one of the league's best, setting several team records and earning multiple Pro Bowl selections.


The Broncos' defense was also a strength, led by players like linebacker Al Wilson and cornerback Champ Bailey. The team's success in the post-Elway era helped to establish the Broncos as a consistent playoff contender, despite the challenges of replacing one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.


However, the team's success in the post-Elway era was not sustained, and the Broncos struggled to remain competitive in the following years. The team made just one playoff appearance between 2006 and 2011, and the front office made several coaching changes to turn things around.


Today, the Denver Broncos are still one of the NFL's most popular franchises, with a loyal fan base and a history of winning. While success and struggle marked the post-Elway era, the team's legacy of winning and excellence inspires generations of football fans in Denver and beyond.



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The Return to Glory


The Denver Broncos returned to their winning ways in the 2010s under the leadership of quarterback Peyton Manning and head coach Gary Kubiak. The team won Super Bowl 50 in 2016, solidifying its place as one of the NFL's premier franchises.


The Broncos' return to glory began in 2012 when the team signed quarterback Peyton Manning as a free agent. Manning had previously led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl championship and was one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history.


Under the guidance of Manning and head coach John Fox, the Broncos quickly became one of the best teams in the NFL. The team won the AFC West division in each of Manning's four seasons in Denver and made two Super Bowl appearances.


The team's victory in Super Bowl 50 was particularly memorable. The defense was among the best in the NFL and helped lead the team to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. The game was played in Santa Clara, California, and was attended by over 71,000 fans.


The Broncos' success in the 2010s was not just due to the play of Manning, however. The team's defense was one of the best in the league, led by players like Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. The addition of players like Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders also bolstered the offense.


The team's success in the 2010s helped to solidify the Broncos' place as one of the NFL's premier franchises. The team has a history of winning that spans several decades, and the return to glory in the 2010s was just the latest chapter in that history.


Today, the Denver Broncos are still one of the NFL's most popular and successful franchises, with three Super Bowl championships. The team's success in the 2010s helped to establish a new era of winning for the franchise, and the legacy of excellence that has defined the Broncos for decades continues to inspire generations of football fans in Denver and beyond.



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The Recent Years and Future Outlook


The Denver Broncos have experienced mixed results in recent years following their victory in Super Bowl 50. Despite the challenges of transitioning to a new quarterback and coaching staff, the team remains optimistic about its prospects.


The Broncos' fortunes worsened following their victory in Super Bowl 50. The team struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position and failed to make the playoffs in the following four seasons.


The team's struggles led to a coaching change in 2019, as Vic Fangio was hired to replace Vance Joseph as head coach. The team also made several moves to improve the roster, including signing quarterback Case Keenum and drafting players like Bradley Chubb and Noah Fant.


Despite the changes, the Broncos could not find sustained success in 2019 and 2020, finishing with losing records in both seasons. However, the team remains optimistic about its prospects, with several key players poised to lead it to success in future years.


One of those key players is quarterback Drew Lock, who showed promise in his rookie season in 2019. The team has also made several moves to improve the offense, including the signings of Melvin Gordon and Graham Glasgow.


On the defensive side of the ball, the team boasts one of the best pass-rushing tandems in the NFL in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. The team also has a solid secondary, led by players like Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson.


The team's future outlook is bolstered by hiring new general manager George Paton, who has a track record of success in the NFL. Paton will work alongside Fangio to build a team that can compete for championships in future years.


Today, the Denver Broncos remain one of the NFL's most popular franchises, with a loyal fan base and a history of winning. While the team has experienced mixed results in recent years, the future outlook is bright, and the team remains committed to building a championship-caliber roster.



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FAQs

Who is the most famous Denver Bronco?

There have been many famous Denver Broncos, but the most famous is quarterback John Elway. Elway played for the Broncos from 1983 to 1998 and led the team to two Super Bowl championships in the late 1990s. He is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Even after retiring from playing, Elway has remained involved with the Broncos as a team executive, serving as the team's General Manager since 2011.

What is the Denver Broncos known for?

The Denver Broncos are known for their success on the football field, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s when the team won back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1997 and 1998. The team has a loyal fan base and a reputation for toughness and resilience, with a history of producing some of the greatest players in NFL history. The Broncos are also known for their iconic orange and blue uniforms, which have become synonymous with the team's winning tradition. Off the field, the Broncos are involved in several charitable initiatives, including supporting youth football programs and promoting health and wellness initiatives in the community.

How many times has the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl?

The Denver Broncos have won the Super Bowl three times. They won their first Super Bowl championship in 1998 and followed it up with back-to-back titles in 1999 and 2016. The team's success in the Super Bowl is a testament to their winning tradition and ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

Gary J. Broome

Gary J. Broome is a newbie sports blogger passionate about all things sports-related. While he may be new to sports blogging, he is eager to learn and grow as a commentator on the latest sports news and trends. Gary is excited to share his insights and opinions with his readers and strives to create engaging content that will keep fans coming back for more. He is particularly interested in football and basketball and constantly researches the latest games, players, and teams to provide his readers with up-to-date information and analysis. Despite being a newcomer to sports blogging, Gary's enthusiasm and dedication make him a promising voice in sports journalism.

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