History of the Denver Broncos facts for kids
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They started playing in 1960 as part of the American Football League (AFL). The Broncos have always played in Denver and have never changed their name or moved to another city.
While they didn't win any championships in the AFL, the Broncos have been very successful since joining the National Football League (NFL) in 1970. They have won 15 division titles and played in eight Super Bowls. The Broncos won three Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXXII, Super Bowl XXXIII, and Super Bowl 50. Their most famous player is former quarterback John Elway, who played in five Super Bowls and holds many NFL records. The Broncos currently play in the AFC West division of the NFL.
For many years, the Broncos were the only major professional football team in the western United States between Kansas City and California, except for teams in Texas.
Contents
How the Broncos Started
In 1959, a man named Bob Howsam owned a minor league baseball team called the Denver Bears. He had a problem because he had made his stadium, Bears Stadium, much bigger for a new baseball league that didn't end up happening. This left him with a lot of debt and a stadium that was too big for his baseball team.
To help with his money problems, Howsam decided to bring football to Denver so the stadium could be used for more of the year. He added more seats to the stadium. First, he tried to get an NFL team for Denver, but the NFL owners said no. Because of this, Howsam and four other people decided to start a new football league to compete with the NFL. This new league was called the American Football League (AFL), and it was announced on August 14, 1959. Howsam's Denver team was one of the first teams in this new league. In 1960, a contest was held to name the team, and "Broncos" was chosen. The first general manager was Dean Griffing, and the first head coach was Frank Filchock.
The Early AFL Years (1960s)
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The Denver Broncos had the toughest start of any original AFL team. Their record was 39 wins, 97 losses, and 4 ties. They were the only original AFL team that never played in the championship game during the league's 10 years.
Even with their struggles, the Broncos had some memorable moments. In 1967, they became the first AFL team to beat an NFL team, winning 13–7 against the Detroit Lions in a preseason game. The Broncos also made history by having the first African-American placekicker, Gene Mingo, the first receiver with 100 catches in a season, Lionel Taylor, and the first starting African-American quarterback of the modern era, Marlin Briscoe.
First Coaches and Challenges
The Broncos began playing in 1960 at Bears Stadium. Their first head coach, Frank Filchock, chose Frank Tripucka as the team's first starting quarterback. The Broncos won their very first game, which was also the first AFL game, 13–10 against the Boston Patriots. However, they finished that season with a record of 4 wins, 9 losses, and 1 tie.
After a tough 3–11 season in 1961, Jack Faulkner became the new head coach. He famously burned the team's old vertically-striped socks before the new season, hoping for a fresh start. Faulkner led them to a 7–7 record in 1962, which was their best season in the AFL. But this success didn't last, and the Broncos lost at least 10 games in each of the next five years.
Keeping the Team in Denver
In 1965, the Broncos almost left Denver when some owners tried to sell the team to people in Atlanta. However, other owners, Alan and Gerald Phipps, bought the team and Bears Stadium, keeping the Broncos in Denver. After this close call, ticket sales nearly tripled the next year, showing how much Denver fans wanted their team to stay.
The Lou Saban Era and "The Franchise"
In 1967, the Broncos hired Lou Saban as head coach. He had coached the Buffalo Bills to two AFL championships. Saban's main goal was to get more people interested in the team to make sure they stayed in Denver. The NFL and AFL were planning to merge, and the Broncos needed to make Bears Stadium bigger to meet the new league's requirements.
Saban used his first draft pick to choose Floyd Little, a talented player from Syracuse. Little was the first top draft pick to sign with the Broncos, and his arrival created huge excitement. Little and other Broncos players went door-to-door to collect money for the stadium expansion. He even traveled to nearby states to raise funds. Because of his hard work to keep the team in Denver, Little became known as "The Franchise."
Little was also a fantastic player on the field. In his first season, he led both the AFL and NFL in punt returns and combined yards (rushing, receiving, and returns). In 1968, he again led the league in combined yards. That same year, the city of Denver bought Bears Stadium, renamed it Mile High Stadium, and leased it back to the Broncos. This purchase helped complete the stadium expansion.
In 1969, Little was considered the best running back in either league, even though he missed most of the season due to a knee injury. In 1970 and 1971, he continued to lead the AFC in rushing yards. Despite Little's amazing skills, Saban's teams finished in fourth place in their division for all five years he was coach.
The 1970s: Broncomania Begins
Starting in 1970, the Broncos began a streak of selling out every home game, which continues to this day. In their first two seasons as part of the NFL, the Broncos had losing records. In 1973, under coach John Ralston, the Broncos had their first winning season with a 7–5–2 record. This included an exciting tie against the Oakland Raiders on their first-ever Monday Night Football appearance.
Broncomania and the First Super Bowl
In 1977, rookie coach Red Miller, along with the famous "Orange Crush Defense" and veteran quarterback Craig Morton, led the Broncos to an amazing season. The team won their division with a 12–2 record. They then beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and their rivals, the Oakland Raiders, to reach Super Bowl XII.
In Super Bowl XII, the Broncos played against the Dallas Cowboys in New Orleans. The Broncos struggled throughout the game, turning the ball over eight times, and lost 27–10. Despite the loss, this season was a huge turning point for the team. It brought a wave of excitement called "Broncomania" to Denver. Fans bought 65,000 Super Bowl T-shirts in just 48 hours! A famous superfan known as the Barrel Man started wearing only an orange barrel, boots, and a cowboy hat to games, a tradition he continued for 30 years.
The Broncos continued their success, winning their division again in 1978 with a 10–6 record, but lost in the playoffs. In 1979, they also made the playoffs but lost as a wild card team.
The John Elway Years (1980s-1990s)
The Broncos had a few average seasons at the start of the 1980s. In 1981, Dan Reeves became the new head coach. That same year, Edgar Kaiser, Jr. bought the Broncos.
The Arrival of John Elway
The biggest change came in 1983 with the arrival of quarterback John Elway. He was the first pick in the NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts, but Elway said he would play baseball instead unless he was traded to one of a few specific teams, including Denver. Before Elway, the Broncos had used over 24 different starting quarterbacks in 23 seasons!
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Under Elway and coach Dan Reeves, the Broncos became one of the best teams in the AFC during the 1980s. They won three AFC championships in 1986, 1987, and 1989. Elway even won the NFL MVP award in 1987. Their wins in the AFC Championship games against the Cleveland Browns were legendary, known as "The Drive" (where Elway led a 98-yard touchdown drive to tie the game late) and "The Fumble" (where a Browns player fumbled the ball late in the game). However, the Broncos lost all three Super Bowls during this time by large margins.
In the early 1990s, Elway's strong group of receivers, Mark Jackson, Vance Johnson, and Ricky Nattiel, were nicknamed the "Three Amigos" after a popular movie.
Shanahan and Super Bowl Victories
Coach Dan Reeves was fired after the 1992 season and replaced by Wade Phillips. After two seasons, Phillips was fired, and former Broncos quarterbacks coach Mike Shanahan became the head coach in 1995.
In 1995, the Broncos introduced a new offensive strategy with rookie running back Terrell Davis, who quickly became an All-Pro player. In 1996, the Broncos had a great 13–3 season but were surprisingly defeated by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs.
In 1997, the Broncos went 12–4 and earned a wild card spot in the playoffs. After winning three playoff games, they faced the heavily favored Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. Davis led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl victory, 31–24. Even though Elway didn't throw any touchdowns, he made a famous play called "The Helicopter," where he bravely ran for a crucial first down, taking big hits while jumping through the air. Terrell Davis overcame a severe headache to rush for 157 yards and three touchdowns, earning the Super Bowl MVP award.
The next season, 1998, the Broncos started by winning their first 13 games. They finished the season with a 14–2 record. Terrell Davis became only the fourth running back in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season (finishing with 2,008) and won the NFL MVP award. In the playoffs, the Broncos defeated the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets to reach Super Bowl XXXIII. In his final NFL game, Elway led Denver to a 34–19 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, who were coached by his former coach, Dan Reeves. Elway won the Super Bowl MVP award, ending his career with back-to-back championships.
After John Elway (1999-2011)
After Elway retired in 1998, the Broncos continued to have mostly winning seasons. They made the playoffs several times but struggled to win playoff games for a while.
The team faced some issues, including a fine for breaking league rules about how they paid players during their Super Bowl-winning seasons. They also lost some draft picks because of this.
New Quarterbacks and Challenges
Brian Griese, the son of former Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese, became the Broncos' starting quarterback after Elway. Griese led the team from 1999 to 2002. They made the playoffs in 2000, but Griese was injured, so another quarterback started the playoff game, which they lost.
Jake Plummer, a former Arizona Cardinals quarterback, took over in 2003. He led the team to a 49–26 record and made the playoffs three times. In 2005, the Broncos had a fantastic 13–3 season, tying for the second-best record in the league. They defeated the two-time defending champion New England Patriots in the playoffs, stopping them from winning three Super Bowls in a row. However, the Broncos lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game.
The Broncos surprisingly drafted a new quarterback, Jay Cutler, in 2006. Plummer was benched, and Cutler became the starter. The team finished 9–7, missing the playoffs. In 2007, Cutler's first full season, the team had a losing record due to many player injuries. In 2008, Cutler set a Broncos record for passing yards in a season, but the team still missed the playoffs, even after having a big lead in their division late in the season.
After the 2008 season, Mike Shanahan, the Broncos' longest-serving and winningest head coach, was fired. Josh McDaniels was hired as the new head coach. The team then traded Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears for quarterback Kyle Orton.
The Orton and Tebow Years
In 2009, with Kyle Orton as quarterback, the Broncos started strong, winning their first six games. Their defense played a big role in these wins. However, after their bye week, the team struggled, losing four games in a row. They finished the season with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs.
In 2010, the Broncos had a tough season. They lost key defensive player Elvis Dumervil to injury. The team struggled and finished with a 4–12 record. Head coach Josh McDaniels was fired during the season after a poor record and a "videotaping incident" where the team was fined for breaking league rules.
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In 2011, former Broncos quarterback John Elway returned to the team as general manager. John Fox became the new head coach. The team started the season with Kyle Orton as quarterback, but after a 1–4 start, Tim Tebow was named the starting quarterback. The Broncos' fortunes quickly changed. They won their next six games, often in exciting fashion, despite Tebow's unique running-focused playing style.
Even though they lost their last three regular season games, the Broncos clinched the AFC West title with an 8–8 record and hosted a playoff game. In the wild card round, they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game went into overtime, and on the very first play, Tebow threw a 20-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas, who ran 80 yards for a touchdown, winning the game 29–23. The Broncos' amazing season ended the next week when they lost to the New England Patriots in the next round.
The Peyton Manning Era (2012-2015)
In 2012, the Broncos made a huge move by signing star quarterback Peyton Manning, who had just been released by the Indianapolis Colts. The next day, Tim Tebow was traded to the New York Jets.
2012: Manning's First Season
Many people wondered if Manning, who was older and had injuries, could still play at a high level. But he had an impressive first game at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns in a 31–19 Broncos victory. Manning also threw his 400th career touchdown pass in that game, reaching the milestone faster than any other quarterback.
After losing two games, the Broncos started a huge winning streak. They won their final ten games of the season, finishing with an 11-game win streak. Manning played at an MVP level, and the Broncos' offense and defense improved greatly. They finished the season with a 13–3 record, winning the AFC West and earning the top seed in the AFC playoffs. However, their playoff run ended quickly when they lost a close game 38–35 in double overtime to the Baltimore Ravens in Denver. The Ravens went on to win the Super Bowl that year.
2013: Record-Breaking Offense
In 2013, the Broncos had an incredible season, finishing 13–3 again. Their offense scored a record 606 points, and Manning threw an NFL-record 55 touchdown passes. This was the first time the Broncos won their division three years in a row. They beat the San Diego Chargers and the New England Patriots in the playoffs to reach Super Bowl XLVIII.
In the Super Bowl, the Broncos faced the Seattle Seahawks. The game started badly for Denver, with a safety on the very first play. The Seahawks' top-ranked defense dominated the game, and the Broncos lost 43–8. This was one of the biggest blowouts in Super Bowl history. The Broncos' record-breaking offense was held to only 8 points.
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2014-2015: Super Bowl Victory
In 2014, the Broncos aimed to return to the Super Bowl. They won their division again with a 12–4 record. Manning also broke the NFL record for most career touchdown passes. However, they lost in the divisional round of the playoffs to the Indianapolis Colts. After this season, coach John Fox and the Broncos decided to part ways, and Gary Kubiak was hired as the new head coach.
In 2015, the Broncos had the NFL's best defense, known as the "No Fly Zone." They finished the regular season 12–4, earning the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Peyton Manning broke the all-time passing yardage record, but he also struggled with injuries and performance, leading to backup quarterback Brock Osweiler playing for part of the season. Manning returned for the final regular season game and helped the Broncos secure the top seed.
Denver defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots in the playoffs to reach Super Bowl 50. In the Super Bowl, the Broncos faced the favored Carolina Panthers. The Broncos' defense was amazing, forcing three fumbles and an interception, and scoring a defensive touchdown. They won 24–10, earning the franchise's third NFL championship. Von Miller, who had 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Peyton Manning made history as the first quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl for two different teams.
After Peyton Manning (2016-Present)
After winning Super Bowl 50, Peyton Manning announced his retirement. Brock Osweiler left for another team, leaving the quarterback position open. Trevor Siemian became the starting quarterback, leading the Broncos to a 9–7 record in 2016. They had a winning season but just missed the playoffs, ending their streak of five straight division titles. Coach Gary Kubiak stepped down due to health issues, and Vance Joseph became the new head coach.
Struggles and New Coaches
The 2017 season was tough, with the Broncos finishing 5–11, their first losing season since 2010. Siemian struggled, and other quarterbacks like Paxton Lynch and even Brock Osweiler (who returned briefly) played. In 2018, the Broncos signed quarterback Case Keenum, but the team finished 6–10, leading to Vance Joseph's firing.
In 2019, Vic Fangio was hired as the new head coach. The Broncos traded for quarterback Joe Flacco, but he got injured, and Drew Lock took over. Longtime owner Pat Bowlen passed away that year. The 2019 Broncos finished 7–9, their third straight losing season. In 2020, with Lock as the starter, the team finished 5–11.
In 2021, the Broncos traded for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. They started the season well with a 3–0 record, but then struggled, finishing 7–10. Vic Fangio was fired after three seasons.
New Ownership and Russell Wilson
In 2022, the Broncos hired Nathaniel Hackett as head coach. Less than two months later, they made a huge trade, sending several players and draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks for star quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson was a nine-time Pro Bowler who had played for the Seahawks for ten seasons.
In June 2022, a group led by billionaire S. Robson Walton (from Walmart) agreed to buy the team. On August 9, the NFL owners approved the sale for $4.65 billion, which was the highest price ever paid for a professional sports team at that time. The new ownership group also included important people like former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and 7-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.
The 2022 season began with high hopes, but the team struggled. They finished with a 4–11 record, and head coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired during the season.
Sean Payton Era
After the difficult 2022 season, the Broncos acquired Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints. The 2023 season started rough, with the Broncos losing five of their first six games, including a historic 70-point loss to the Miami Dolphins. However, the team then went on a five-game winning streak, including a big win over the Kansas City Chiefs, their first victory against Kansas City since 2015. Despite this turnaround, the Broncos lost more games and were eliminated from playoff contention for the eighth season in a row.
In March 2024, the Broncos announced they would release quarterback Russell Wilson, which resulted in a record-setting payment to him.
Team Records
- The Broncos' overall regular season record (including AFL games) is 476 wins, 414 losses, and 10 ties.
- Their record since joining the NFL in 1970 is 437 wins, 317 losses, and 6 ties.
- Their all-time playoff record is 20 wins and 18 losses.
- John Elway is the Broncos' all-time leading passer, with 300 touchdowns and 51,475 passing yards.
- Peyton Manning holds the Broncos' records for single-season passing yards (5,477) and passing touchdowns (55), both set in 2013 and also NFL records.
- Terrell Davis is the Broncos' all-time leading rusher, with 60 touchdowns and 7,607 rushing yards.
- Rod Smith is the Broncos' all-time leading receiver, with 68 touchdowns and 11,389 receiving yards.
- Jason Elam is the Broncos' all-time leading scorer, with 1,786 points. He also played the most games as a Bronco, with 236.
- The Broncos have won 3 Super Bowls.
Images for kids
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The Broncos could not overcome the Cowboys in their first Super Bowl appearance.
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Jay Cutler
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Broncos' linebacker D. J. Williams, October 24, 2010
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2008 Denver Broncos offense including Selvin Young, Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall
