Table of Contents

Denver Broncos

Founding

The Denver Broncos were established in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) before joining the NFL in the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.1)

Team Colors

The Broncos' current colors are orange, navy blue, and white. Orange has been a staple color for the team since 1962.2)

Super Bowl Wins

The Broncos have won three Super Bowls (XXXII, XXXIII, and 50).3)

First Super Bowl Appearance

The Broncos' first Super Bowl appearance was in Super Bowl XII (1978), where they lost to the Dallas Cowboys.4)

The Mile High City

The Broncos play in Denver, which is nicknamed the Mile High City because it is exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level.5)

Mile High Magic

Broncos fans coined the term Mile High Magic to describe the team's dramatic comebacks and high-altitude home-field advantage.6)

Original Uniforms

In their inaugural season, the Broncos wore notoriously ugly uniforms with brown and mustard-yellow colors and vertical striped socks.7)

Ring of Fame

The Broncos have a Ring of Fame at their stadium to honor key players, coaches, and contributors to the team's history.8)

John Elway

Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway played his entire career (1983–1998) with the Broncos and led the team to five Super Bowl appearances, winning two.9)

Peyton Manning

Legendary QB Peyton Manning played for the Broncos from 2012 to 2015, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl 50.10)

The Drive

One of the most iconic moments in NFL history, The Drive, occurred in 1987, when John Elway led a 98-yard touchdown drive in the AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns.11)

The Fumble

In the 1988 AFC Championship Game, the Broncos benefitted from The Fumble, a costly mistake by Cleveland Browns running back Earnest Byner near the goal line.12)

Mile High Stadium

The Broncos played at the original Mile High Stadium from 1960 until 2000. The stadium was famous for its passionate fans and deafening noise.13)

Empower Field

Since 2001, the Broncos have played at Empower Field at Mile High, a modern stadium with a seating capacity of over 76,000.14)

Barrel Man

Barrel Man, a superfan known for wearing only a barrel to games, was a fixture at Broncos games for over 30 years.15)

Orange Crush Defense

The Broncos' 1970s defense, led by players like Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson, was nicknamed the Orange Crush for its dominance.16)

Shannon Sharpe

Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe played 12 seasons with the Broncos and won two Super Bowls with the team.17)

First Winning Season

The Broncos had their first winning season in 1973, 13 years after the team's inception.18)

Draft Disaster

The Broncos once drafted QB Tommy Maddox in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft, despite having John Elway as their starter.19)

First AFL Game

The Broncos won the first-ever AFL game in 1960, defeating the Boston Patriots 13-10.20)

Retired Numbers

The Broncos have retired only three jersey numbers: #7 (John Elway), #18 (Frank Tripucka/Peyton Manning), and #44 (Floyd Little).21)

Longest Field Goal

Broncos kicker Matt Prater set an NFL record with a 64-yard field goal in 2013 against the Tennessee Titans.22)

Terrell Davis

Running back Terrell Davis rushed for over 2,000 yards in 1998 and was instrumental in the Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl victories.23)

Von Miller

Linebacker Von Miller was the MVP of Super Bowl 50, leading the Broncos' defense in a dominant win over the Carolina Panthers.24)

Super Bowl Losses

The Broncos have lost five Super Bowls, more than any other NFL team.25)

First Playoff Win

The Broncos' first playoff victory came in 1977, when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.26)

Championship Tradition

The Broncos have won the AFC Championship eight times.27)

Fan Loyalty

The Broncos have sold out every home game since 1970, one of the longest sellout streaks in NFL history.28)

Steve Atwater

Hard-hitting safety Steve Atwater was a key defensive player for the Broncos in the 1990s and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.29)

Back-to-Back Champions

The Broncos are one of the few NFL teams to win back-to-back Super Bowls (1997 and 1998 seasons).30)