History of the Broncos: The decade that changes everything 1980's

This decade started off....well, true to Bronco history.  1980 proved to be another bad year but it was the beginning of something great.

1981 a coach by the name of Dan Reeves takes over and although there was no postseason games this year it was the start of Bronco History.

Player strike for two months start of the 1982 season which showed there were struggles on both the offense and defense with their first losing season in seven years....but we all know what happened in the following year!!

Elway baby!!!  1983 Broncos starting Quaterback!  Even though this year for the Broncos was a flip of the coin with a 9-7 record...we all know, looking back, that this is the year it began for the Bronco offense!  Watch this video of Elway's first game.

1984:  Elway cost the Bronco's chance at the AFC Championship by a turnover against the Steelers but this season they had a 10 game winning streak which was the new franchise record.  Elway passes 2,598 yards, Sammy Winder rushes for 1,153 yards and Steve Watson has 1,170 receiving yards.  Pat Bowlen, local Businessman acquires the Broncos.

11-5 record ends 1985 and although they do not make the playoffs, Elway is establishing his "one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL" status with 3891 passing yards and 253 rushing yards.

Off to a great start in 1986 and, although they would claim the AFC West title with an 11-5 record, they end the season three of their five final games.  Super Bowl XXI was in the Bronco future because of Rich Karlis and his 33 yard Field Goal against Cleveland.

Rich Karlis may have gotten the Broncos to the Super Bowl but missed two short Field Goals while there.  They lose to the Giants 39-20.

Did anyone say "Strike?"  Replacement players are brought in in 1897 as the NFL Players go on strike. The win against the Chicago Bears turned things around this season as they won the AFC West with a 10-4-1 record.  Elway wins the NFL MVP this year and the Broncos face the Browns again for the AFC Championship.  38-33 Win Super Bowl XXII next stop.

Bronco's vs. Redskins in San Diego was....how should I put this, great coming out of the gate but not much for stamina.  Bronco's lose, after a 10-0 start, 42-10.

How can passing be a "poor showing" with 3,309 yard but for John Elway it is.  Ending the 1988 season with an 8-8 record Running Back Tony Dorsett, acquired from the Dallas Cowboys, has second all time rushing with 703 yards.

Despite Dorsett's career ending knee injury in 1989 the Boncos win the Division Title with an 11-5 record.  Beating the Steelers in the Divisional Playoffs (which was a gut wrenching win at 24-23) the Broncos face the Browns, again, for the AFC Championship with a 38-21 win.

Here we are again, Super Bowl XXIV only to tie the NFL record by losing four Super Bowl's to the 49ers 55-10.

Four Super Bowl's....Four losses.  Although this is not what Denver was hoping for it did show fans what Denver was capable of.  Although there were loses this decade no one can dispute that this was a whole new ballgame for Denver.

Like Jimmy's Tavern on Facebook.

Denver Bronco History: 1970's

The last decade was hard....but the fans stayed loyal.  Does the 1970's give the fans a reason to remain loyal?  Read to find out.

The first year of the 1970's was off to a great start with a 4-1 record but as the last decade proved it was not meant to be as they finished last in the AFC West with a 5-8-1 record losing eight of their last nine games.

You guessed it, Lou Saban resigns and interim Coach Jerry Smith finished 1971 with a record of 4-9-1.

John Ralston is the new Coach but does not improve the Denver Bronco's record ending 1972 with a 5-9 record.  The one positive part of 1972 was even with the Denver Bronco's losing season tickets were being sold at a record pace.....gotta love that Bronco loyalty.

Orange Monday begins with the Broncos hosting the Oakland Raiders in front of a National Televised audience.  Primetime baby!  1973 proved to be the best year yet for the Broncos as they have a six game winning streak and, for once, had the opportunity to have their first winning season.  With the AFC West title just within their grasp they lose to the Oakland Raiders and end the season with a 21-17.

1974 the Denver Broncos had to expand Mile High Stadium to accommodate the high demand for tickets.  It was worth it as this was their second winning season with a 7-6-1 record.

With 1975 was a disappointment as the Broncos ended their winning season streak with at 6-8 record.  This was also Running Back Floyd Little's final season.

1976 showed much promise.  The Broncos end the season with a 9-5 record, Running Back Otis Armstrong rushes for 1,008 yards but Coach John Ralston resigns.

Red Miller, new coach for the Broncos, really turn up the heat this season.  In 1977, the Orange Crush begins with players like Lyle Alzado, Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson.  The Orange Crush allowed only 148 points to be scored the entire season.  The Broncos earn a trip to the AFL Championship game against, you guessed it, the Raiders.  With a 20-17 win the Broncos are off to their very first Super Bowl!!!  With the excitement of playing in New Orleans against the Dallas Cowboys the Broncos never really showed up for the Super Bowl.  Eight turnovers and a 27-10 loss is how they ended their season.

Randy Gradishar wins Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 and the Broncos win the AFC West title for the second year in a row with at 10-6 record.  In the Divisional Playoffs the Pittsburgh Steelers will end the season for the Broncos with a 33-10 loss.

1979 started off well for the Broncos and it was looking like another Division Title was in their future but during the Divisional Playoffs they lose to the Oilers 13-7 and end their season with a 10-6 record.

Like Jimmy's Tavern on Facebook.

Watch some all time moments by Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson here

History of the Denver Broncos the beginning: 1960's

It's Football season!!! 

Time for friends to get together and watch their favorite teams.  So many traditions have been started because of football. 

How did it get started?  We are going to look at the Denver Broncos and how they got started.



First off did you know that our football team was not the first to be named Denver Broncos?  In 1921 the Midwest Baseball league was also called the Denver Broncos.

In 1960 is when the Denver Broncos Football began with seven other teams to make up the AFL.  They had a fan contest which is how they became known as the Denver Broncos.  In 1960 the Denver Broncos had the worst record of the AFL or 4-9-1 but it has to be said that one of their four winnings was against the Raiders.

In 1961 Wide Receiver Lionel Taylor was the first player to catch 100 passes in a professional season but the Broncos finished the season with only a 3-11 record.  This caused Jack Faulkner to replace Frank Filchock as coach.  In 1962 Coach Jack Faulkner receives coach of the year with a 7-7 record (Five of those loses were the last five of the season.)

1963 was not a good year for the Broncos as their record was 2-11-1 but this year Fullback Billy Joe wins AFL Rookie of the Year.

As it still is today, in 1964 Jack Faulkner is fired after a 0-4 record in the beginning of the season and is replaced by Mac Speedie.  He didn't do much better as they ended the season with a 2-11-1 record.

Loyalty is Loyalty and Denver fans remain loyal no matter what the Bronco record is.  In 1965 they finish with a 4-10 season but sell over 20,000 season tickets.

You guessed it, Mac Speedie is fired in 1966 and in come Ray Malavasi but with only a record of 0-2 Malavasi has his work cut out.  They finish with a 4-10 record and, again, the Denver Broncos are looking for a new coach.  Lou Saban comes in as both the General Manager and the Coach.

Running Back Floyd Little becomes the firs top draft pick ever signed by the Denver Broncos in 1967.  Even though they had their first top draft pick their season ends with a 3-11 record.

1968 the Stadium is renamed Mile High Stadium, capacity is increased to 50,000 and Marlin Briscoe became the first black starting Quarterback in professional football.  Their season ends with a 5-9 record with Briscoe throwing 14 touchdown passes and running for another three.

One decade down and in 1969 end their season with a 5-8-1 record.  During this decade the Denver Broncos are the only AFL team not to win a division or finish with a winning record.

Follow this blog to learn more about the history of the Denver Broncos. 

Like Jimmy's Tavern on Facebook.

Watch Steve Atwater #27 Highlights and Hits here