The Denver Broncos are a National Football League team based in Denver, Colorado.

Founded: 1960, (charter member of the American Football League; joined the NFL in the 1970 merger.)
Home stadium: INVESCO Field at Mile High (capacity 76,125).
Uniform colors: Navy Blue and Orange
Helmet design: Navy Blue background with a white horse-head profile.
League championships won: NFL 1997 and 1998.
Super Bowl appearances: XII (lost), XXI (lost), XXII (lost), XXIII (lost), XXXII (won), XXXIII (won)

Franchise history

Although the Denver Broncos' 39-97-4 record was the worst of any of the original eight American Football League teams', the franchise had many proud moments and several AFL superstars, including Lionel Taylor and Floyd Little. The Broncos won the first-ever American Football League game, over the Boston Patriots (13-10) on September 9, 1960. They had the first black place-kicker in professional football, Gene Mingo. They were the first AFL team ever to defeat an NFL team, on August 5, 1967 when they beat the Lions 13-7. They were the first pro football team to wear vertically-striped socks (and the first to burn their socks in a public ceremony!). Despite their relative lack of early success, the Broncos produced some memorable games, like the 38-38 tie against the Buffalo Bills in 1960.

Denver has reached the Super Bowl six times, winning it in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. It is odd to remember a time, then, when Denver was the lowliest of teams, managing its first winning season in 1973 after thirteen years of futility. Denver, in fact, came close to losing its franchise in 1965, but a local ownership group took control that year and began to build the team.

In 1967, under head coach Lou Saban, Denver took the field with almost two dozen rookies on its roster; though Saban's tenure was unsuccessful, it set the stage for later successes. In 1973, John Ralston coached the now-mature Broncos to a 7-5-2 record, including a dramatic tie with Oakland in Denver's first-ever Monday Night Football appearance that is still remembered as a pivotal game in Bronco history. Ralston coached the team until 1976, when well-publicized clashes between Ralston and his players led to Ralston's removal.

Rookie coach Red Miller promptly took Denver to its first playoff appearance -- and ultimately first Super Bowl -- in 1977.

Quarterback John Elway arrived in 1983. Prior to Elway, Denver had had over two dozen different starting quarterbacks in its twenty-three seasons to that point. Elway would remain the quarterback through five Super Bowls, three under head coach Dan Reeves and two under Mike Shanahan, and would end his career as the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII, his last NFL game.

Players of note

Current stars: Retired numbers:

Not to be forgotten:

Denver Broncos official web site