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RING OF FAME


No. Inducted Pos Player, Comments
18 1986 QB

Frank Tripucka was Denver's first QB and called signals for the Broncos from 1960-63. He set the Broncos record with 25 touchdown passes in a season, which stood until John Elway broke it in 1995. Tripucka still holds the team record with 447 yards in a game. He played in the AFL All-Star Game in 1962, and passed for 7,676 yards in his Denver career.

Tripucka's Denver Broncos Career Record
Att
Comp
Pct
Yards
TD
Int
1277
622
52.8
7676
51
85
44 1984 RB

Floyd Little played for the Broncos from 1967-75 and was the team's all-time leader in rushing (6,323 yards) and total touchdowns (54) before Terrell Davis eclipsed both of those records in 1998. Little was the first Bronco to lead the NFL in rushing in 1971 (1133 yards) and had fifteen 100 yard games, including a career-high 166. He ran for a then Bronco record 43 touchdowns. Little was All-AFL in 1969 and played in 2 AFL All-Star games (1968, 1969) and 3 Pro Bowls (1971, 1972, 1973).

Little's Denver Broncos Career Record
RUSHING
RECEIVING
KICK RETURNS
Att
Yrd
Avg
TD
Rec
Yrd
Avg
TD
KR
Yrd
Avg
TD
1641
6323
3.9
43
215
2677
12.5
9
104
2523
24.3
0

7 1999 QB John Elway played for the Broncos for 1983-98. Elway holds the record for most wins in NFL history (148). He was the master of the comeback, leading the Broncos to 47 game-saving drives, also a league record. Elway is 2nd on the NFL's all-time list in attempts (7,250), completions (4,123), yards (51,475), and 3rd in touchdowns (300). Elway is NFL record holder for rushing attempts by a QB (772), and ran for 3407 yards and 34 touchdowns. He was one of the most dangerous scramblers ever and is the only player ever to pass for 3,000 yards and run for 200 yards in 7 straight seasons. He also had the 2nd most 3,000 yard seasons with 12. He set Bronco records and had career highs of 4,030 yards in 1993, 27 touchdowns in 1997, and a rating of 93 in 1998. Elway also holds Denver records with 5 TDs in one game, 191 straight passes without an interception, and lowest career interception percentage. Elway led the Broncos to the AFC West title 7 times and to the playoffs 10 times. He also led them to 6 AFC Championship Games, going on to 5 Super Bowls. He is the only QB to start 5 Super Bowls. He led the Broncos to back-to-back World Championships in Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII. Elway was the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII, passing for 336 yards and a TD while running for another TD in his final game as a Bronco. Elway was the 1987 NFL MVP when he passed for 3,198 yards and 19 TDs in the strike-shortened season while carrying the Broncos to the Super Bowl. He was the AFC Offensive Player of the Year in 1987 and '93. Elway is also 2nd in passing yardage and rushing TDs in Super Bowl history. He went to 9 Pro Bowls (1986, 87, 89, 91, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98), and was a 4-time All Pro.
49 2001 SS

Dennis Smith played for the Broncos from 1981-94 as a 1st round draft pick and the first pick by Dan Reeves from USC. He was a six-time Pro Bowler (1985, 86, 89, 90, 91, 93) and was one of the most viscious hitters the game has ever seen. This fiery leader could always be counted on to make big plays at key times. "Smitty" had 30 pickoffs for 431 yds, including 5 in '91 and 4 in '83. He had 15 sacks, with 5 in '83 and 4 in '85. Smith also returned a fumble for a Td in 1984.
77 2001 LB Karl Mecklenburg was the leader of the Broncos defense from 1983-94. He was a 12th round pick from Minnesota, and wasn't expected to make the team. But he became a great pass rusher, becoming Denver's all-time sack leader (79) before he was passed by Simon Fletcher. He was very versatile, playing every linebacker and defensive line spot in his career. He was one of the most feared run stoppers in the game and made 6 Pro Bowls (1985, 86, 87, 89, 91, 93) and was a two time All Pro. Mecklenburg also helped the Broncos to 3 Super Bowls. Meck had a career high 13 sacks in 1985, which was a Bronco record until '92. Karl also had 5 Int for 128 yrd, a safety, and added 2 FRs for Tds.
20 1993 CB Louis Wright is revered as the greatest cornerback in Broncos history. His great career covered 12 years (1975-86) and he went to 5 Pro Bowls (1977, 78, 79, 83, 85) in that time. He helped the Broncos to 2 Super Bowls and picked off 26 passes for 360 yards and a touchdown. He returned 3 fumbles for touchdowns.
57 1993 OLB Tom Jackson was one of the top linebackers in the NFL between 1973-86. He was a great cover man (20 Ints for 340 yards and 3 Tds) as well as a very good blitzer. He undersized and only a 4th round pick but went to three straight Pro Bowls (1977-79). Jackson scored on 2 fumble recoveries. He had 7 ints for 136 and a Td in 1976.
53 1989 MLB Randy Gradishar was the defensive leader and greatest defensive player from 1974-83. He was a fearless middle linebacker who went to 8 Pro Bowls (1975, 77-83), the most for a Broncos defender, and a Bronco record 7 straight. He had over 2000 tackles in his career, including an incredible 285 in one 14 game season. He was the leader when the Broncos set a team record for points allowed in 1977 with 148 as the Broncos went to their 1st Super Bowl. Gradishar was the 1978 AFC Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive MVP. Randy had the longest interception return in Broncos history on a 93-yarder against Cleveland in 1980. He finished his fine career with 20 ints for 335 yds and 3 Tds and also scored on two fumble recoveries.
7 1988 QB Craig Morton played 6 (1977-82) of his 18 seasons with the Broncos. He brought stability to the team and led the Broncos to their first playoff birth in 1977. He was the AFC Player of the Year that season, throwing for 1929 yards and 14 Tds, running for 125 yds and 4 Tds, and taking the Broncos to their 1st Super Bowl. His best year was 1980 when he passed for 3195 yards and 21 Tds with a 90.5 rating. Morton finished his Bronco career with 11,985 yards and 74 Tds.
25 1988 WR

Haven Moses was big play receiver for Denver from 1972-81. He finished with a Broncos record of 44 Td receptions. His speed helped him to and 18.1 average in his career with 3 seasons over 20 yards a catch. His career best was 54 Rec 943 Yrd 6 Td in 79. He is currently 6th on the Broncos all-time receiving list with 302 catches and 8th with 5450 yards. Moses is tied for the team record for receiving Tds in a game (3). Moses made the Pro Bowl in 1973. He made his mark with 4-135-2 TD in the 1978 AFC Championship versus Oakland, playing a big part in the Broncos trip to the Super Bowl . Haven holds the Denver record with and incredible 24.2 receiving average in the playoffs. Between Buffalo and Denver he compiled 448 Rec 8091 Yrd 56 Td.

Moses' Professional Record
Games
Rec
Yards
Avg
TD
201
448
8121
18.1
56

 
15 1988 K Jim Turner was the first reliable kicker for the Broncos when kickers weren't very reliable. He spent 9 of his 16 years (1971-79) as a Denver Bronco. Turner was the 1st Bronco to score 100 points in a season (106 in 1973). He made 25 FGs in '71 and 22 in '73, and hit all 37 XPs in '72 and all 40 in '73. He set Bronco records with 131/232 FGs and 742 points (Now broken by Elam). Turner scored 1,434 points in his NFL career.
36 1987 DB Billy Thompson was an all around defensive back and kick returner for the Broncos between 1969-81. He switched back and forth between safety and cornerback and excelled at both positions. He led the NFL in kick returns (28.5) and punt returns (11.5) his rookie year. He also led the league in PR yards in 1973 with 366. Thompson was a big play guy who forced a lot of turnovers. He had 3 pick off in '69 along with 4 fumble recoveries. He had 5 Ints and 5 FRs in '71, 5 Ints in '74, and 5 Ints in '77. Billy set and NFL Record with 4 fumble recoveries for Tds in his career (since broken), and also scored on 3 Ints. Thompson took 3 trips to the Pro Bowl (1977, 78, 81). He is the Broncos 2nd all-time leading interceptor with 40 - 784 Yrd 3 TD. He had 14 FRs and 7 total TDs. Career PR Stats: 157-1814-11.6. KR Stats: 46-156-25.1.
12 1986 QB Charley Johnson spent the last 4 seasons (1972-75) of his 16 year career as a Bronco. He was the Broncos' 1st decent QB since Frank Tripucka. He led the Broncos to their first two winning seasons in 1973 & '74. He led the Broncos to a then team record 354 points in '73. That year he passed for 2465 yards and 20 Tds. He's 4th on the Broncos all-time passing list with 7238 yards and 52 Tds. In his career Johnson passed for 24,410 yards and 170 Tds.
70 1986 DL

Paul Smith was a 9th round draft pick out of New Mexico, but went on to become a great pass rusher for the Broncos for 11 seasons (1968-78). He had 1 Int - 6Yrd, 1 fumble recovery for a Td, and played in 133 games for Denver before finishing his career in Washington.

Smith's Denver Broncos Career Record
Games
Sacks
134
55
NA 1985 Owner Gerald H. Phipps became the first and only non-player to be inducted into the Ring of Fame in 1985. Under the guidance of Phipps and his brother Allan, the Broncos rose from their less than auspicious beginnings to the top of the AFC. In 1977, the Broncos claimed their 1st ever AFC Championship, won the the Western division title in 1977 and 1978 and made three consecutive playoff appearances (1977-79). Under Phipps, the Broncos ultimately rose to a position as one of the NFL's most stable franchises. With the success of the Broncos, the doors were opened for other major league teams from other sports to grab a piece of the Denver sports pie. Following the takeover by the Phipps brothers, season ticket sales improved from 8,002 in 1964 to 22,905 in 1965. Before purchasing the Broncos on Feb. 15, 1965, Phipps was president of the Gerald H. Phipps Inc. Construction Company, which he continues to operate. Phipps was born Mar. 4, 1915 in Denver. He passed away Aug. 6, 1993.
87 1984 DL Rich (Tombstone) Jackson was one of the most feared defenders in AFL history. He played for the Broncos between 1967-72. He was an incredible pass rusher and a great runstopper too. His trademark move was his viscious headslap that dazed offensive lineman and led to so many sacks. Sports Illustrated named Jackson to their All-Time NFL Team in 1992. Tombstone's career was cut short by a knee injury and probably prevented him from making the Hall of Fame. He played in 77 games for Denver and recorded a safety in 1967.
87 1984 WR

Lionel Taylor played for the Broncos from 1960-66, and was one of the greatest receivers in AFL history. He holds the Broncos' single season receiving record with 100, and is still tied for the career TDs record with 44. Before a guy name Shannon Sharpe came along he held the career receiving records for receptions(534) and yards (6872). He is still tied for single game receiving records with 13 catches and owns the yardage record (199). Taylor led the AFL in receptions and incredible 5 times in 6 years. He went over the 1000 yard mark 4 times and went into to double digits in touchdowns twice.

Taylor's Denver Broncos Career Record
Rec
Yards
Avg
TD
543
6872
12.8
44