Denver Broncos History

Bob Howsam, a successful minor league baseball owner who built Bears Stadium in the 1940′s, was awarded an AFL franchise on August 14, 1959.

The upstart AFL was the target of many jokes and jeers by the established National Football League in the early 1960′s, and the Broncos were the most laughed-at of all.

Severely limited financially, the Broncos wore joke-worthy uniforms which were used ones from the defunct Copper Bowl in Tucson, Arizona. Two years later when Jack Faulkner took over as head coach and general manager, the uniforms were destroyed in a public burning ceremony.

While Denver’s on-the-field experience during the 10 years of the AFL was for the most part bleak, the Broncos did have some bright moments.

On September 9, 1960, they won the first AFL game with a 13-10 victory over the Boston Patriots. On August 5, 1967, they scored the first ever win for an AFL team against an NFL opponent with a 13-7 victory over the Detroit Lions.

In their 14th season in 1973, the Broncos, under coach John Ralston, finished 7-5-2 for their first ever winning season. This started a trend that saw the Denver Broncos fall below the .500 mark only three times in the next 20 years.

In the 14 year period between 1977 and 1991, the Broncos won 7 AFC Western Division titles and AFC championships in 1977, 1986, 1987, and 1989.

In 1983, the Broncos drafted John Elway as the first overall pick in the draft. Elway was the MVP in 1987 and AFC offensive player of the year in 1989.

In 1995, the Broncos drafted running back Terrell Davis. With Elway at quarterback and Davis in the backfield, the Broncos had an unstoppable offense that also featured tight end, Shannonn Sharpe. The Bronco defense was led by safety Steve Atwater and linebacker Neil Smith.

In 1997, the Broncos reached the pinnacle of the pro football world, as the team captured its first world championship by defeating the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.

With a victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII, Denver accomplished what only five other teams has achieved, which is back-to-back Super Bowl championships.

Now rebuilding, the Denver Broncos are still continuing their winning ways and look to be a dominate team for many years to come.