3 Things You Should Know About The Denver Broncos
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The Denver Broncos were originally in the American Football League in the 1960s and did poorly. The town almost lost the team and many credit the on-field performance of “Franchise” Floyd Little with keeping the team in Denver. At only 5-10 and 195 pounds, he was the first Bronco to run more than 1000 yards in 1971 and led the NFL that year when he finished at 1133 yards. Wait a minute, he was 5-10? I’m 5-10? I could play in the NFL! Wait, this is them on the phone! “I will never make it the league and would be a danger to other players. Hmm, OK, I got it. How about this? Could I be one of the guys that carries those chains?”
After 12 years as a team, they had their first winning season in 1972 with a record of 7-5-2. To this day, Denver fans shout 7-5-2! to greet each other at tailgates and on road games. They even have a handshake where you start out slapping 7 fingers, then 5 and then you take 2 fingers and smack the other person on the forehead.
Did you know that Dan Reeves was the league’s youngest head coach when he took over the team in 1981? He was in high school and had to get permission from his parents. One day he was leaving school for practice when an older kid acting as hall monitor stopped him and said “Where do you think you’re going?” He said, “I’m on way to lose three Superbowls to the Giants, Redskins and 49ers.” The older kid said, “OK then, just don’t run in the halls.”
