As soon as Denver‘s NFL team won its inaugural Super Bowl victory in 1998, fans went absolutely nuts – smashing cars and engaging in violent protests were only part of Broncomania.
Elway led his team back into another championship game the next season and, since then, both media outlets and fans in Denver have held Elway up to strict expectations.
The History of the Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have long been considered among the premier franchises within the National Football League, having won two Super Bowls (1997 & 1998), numerous playoff appearances under John Elway, and four consecutive AFC Championship games from 2011-14 under Peyton Manning.
Robert Howsam, son-in-law of former US senator and Colorado governor Ed Johnson, first owned the team when it started up in 1960. Due to financial struggles he was eventually forced to sell them off in 1961 to Gerald Phipps of Denver Bears fame; who held onto them until 1981 before selling them off for an estimated $40 million to Edgar J. Kaiser (grandson of industrialist Henry J. Kaiser).
Under the direction of rookie quarterback John Elway and their fearsome defense dubbed “The Orange Crush”, the Broncos emerged as perennial contenders, eventually defeating Green Bay to capture Super Bowl XXXIII and win their first championship since 1966. Their victory proved bittersweet as it marked a powerful era when their football dominance extended off the field into entertaining fans off it.
The Red Miller Era
After leading his Broncos to their first-ever postseason berth with an unprecedented 12-2 record and earning them their inaugural postseason berth, Miller led them to victory in Super Bowl XII. Their defense featuring linebacker Randy Gradishar and cornerback Louis Wright won praise for its outstanding run-stopping abilities; which were rated number one that year.
The Broncos were still an embarrassment at this point and their subpar training facilities near Mile High Stadium were seen as comical. Multiple ticket drives were necessary to stave off financial ruin or potential relocation to Atlanta by original owner Edgar Kaiser.
The 1977 Broncos were led by quarterback Craig Morton, who won AFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter Denver blew a 28-3 lead against Tom Landry’s Dallas Cowboys before losing 31-7 at Wembley Stadium in London before Miller was fired and Dan Reeves hired as his replacement.
The John Elway Era
Under John Elway’s direction, the Denver Broncos quickly rose to the top of the NFL. From inheriting an underperforming 4-12 squad and in just three years creating an explosive offense and formidable defense that rank amongst the greatest ever seen in NFL history.
Denver Broncos earned their first Super Bowl victory of 2004 against Green Bay Packers by defeating them 31-24, marking one of four wins on football‘s biggest stage for Denver and Elway as starting quarterback. It marked Denver‘s inaugural championship under his leadership.
In 1998, Elway led his Broncos to another Super Bowl win by defeating Atlanta Falcons 31-19 with 22 completed passes, throwing two touchdowns and an interception while also scoring one rushing touchdown en route to earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Following that season he stepped aside as president of football operations to focus on consulting work within the organization.
The Tim Tebow Era
Tim Tebow was hired as Kyle Orton struggled with injuries in 2011, prompting the Broncos to name him Tim Tebow as their starting quarterback. Tebow, having never started an NFL game before, managed to lead them to six victories out of their final eight contests and into the playoffs.
Denver was not expected to defeat Pittsburgh Steelers in their opening playoff game, yet Tim Tebow managed to pull off an astounding overtime victory that stunned everyone watching the game. On the opening play of overtime, Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas for a 80-yard touchdown pass that sent Denver fans wild!
Tebow won games for the Broncos throughout 2012 and 2013, however eventually Peyton Manning replaced him. Although Tebow did not reach the Super Bowl, his legacy will endure with non-football fans drawn in through his personable character and faith-filled persona.