Mike Klis

An essential chronicle of this dynamic era in Denver Broncos history.

Let’s say you’re the head coach of the Denver Broncos, deciding which players should start in a Super Bowl matchup against the toughest team in the NFC. But instead of choosing from the current roster, you have every player in the team’s nearly 60-year history in your locker room. Who starts at quarterback: John Elway, Peyton Manning, Craig Morton, or Frank Tripuka? At linebacker, do you play Bill Rowmanowski, Karl Mecklenburg, Tom Jackson, Randy Gradishar, DeMarcus Ware or Von Miller? Which player is your featured running back? Floyd Little, Otis Armstrong, or Terrell Davis? Combining career stats, common sense, and a host of intangibles, veteran sportswriter Andrew Mason imagines an embarrassment of riches and sets the all-time All-Star Broncos lineup for the ages.

The 50 Greatest Players in Denver Broncos History examines the careers of the 50 men who made the greatest impact on one of the National Football League’s most successful franchises. Using as measuring sticks the degree to which they impacted the fortunes of the team, the extent to which they added to the Bronco legacy of excellence, and the levels of statistical compilation and overall dominance they attained while wearing a Bronco uniform, The 50 Greatest Players in Denver Broncos History ranks, from 1 to 50, the top 50 players in team history. Quotes from the players themselves and former teammates are provided along the way, as are summaries of each player’s greatest season, most memorable performances, and most notable achievements. From Hall of Fame players such as John Elway, Floyd Little, and Shannon Sharpe to forgotten greats such as Rulon Jones and Lionel Taylor, the Broncos’ best are profiled here in what is bound to be a much-discussed book among the team’s broad fan base.