Broncos vs. Raiders: The Battle of the West

Lore & Background

The Broncos were founded by Bob Howsam, who originally sought an NFL franchise but was denied. He then helped start the American Football League in 1959, with Denver as a charter member. The team's nickname was chosen via a 1960 contest. For much of their first three decades, excluding teams in Texas, they were the only major pro football team between Kansas City and California, and the only team in the Interior West. This distinction ended in 1988 when the Cardinals moved from St. Louis to Phoenix. The Broncos remain the only current AFC West team to never relocate or change its name.

Reader's Guide

The Broncos' early years were marked by struggles; they had the worst record of any original AFL team (39–97–4) and never played in the AFL title game. Their first head coach was Frank Filchock, and their first starting quarterback was Frank Tripucka. The team's first game was a 13–10 win over the Boston Patriots in 1960. Notable early players include Floyd Little, who was known as 'The Franchise' for his efforts to keep the team in Denver. The Broncos defeated the Raiders in the 1977 AFC Championship Game to earn their first trip to the Super Bowl.

Did You Know?

• The Broncos were the first AFL team to defeat an NFL team, beating the Detroit Lions 13–7 in a preseason game on August 5, 1967.
• Floyd Little was the first #1 draft pick to sign with the Broncos, after previous top picks like Dick Butkus and Merlin Olsen chose the other league.