Last night was a big night at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The occasion? The Ring of Fame–created in 1984 by Pat Bowlen recognizing and honoring Broncos team members who played momentous roles in the organization’s history. This Ring of Fame dinner was to welcome and celebrate its newest inductee — Terrell Davis.
The event dually honored alumni, while presenting Terrell Davis with the honor that only 20 other members of the Denver Broncos can be associated with. In tribute to the Broncos Alumni Weekend, individuals from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, ’00s as well as some existing Ring of Famers gathered to share their mutual admiration and put their hands together for a career well done. After an introduction from Pat Bowlen, Mike Shanahan, and a highlight video it was time for the guest of honor. Terrell Davis accepted his newest achievement in true T.D fashion, humorously including stories of his years in the league, emitting humility, gratitude and sincere thanks to all of his coaches, fans and mentors, and of course topping it off with a Mile High Salute to solidify his final thought.
This season we begin every game with the Mile High Salute to honor that legacy and encourage support amongst the entire Broncos community. Every single time I look up at the 20 (now 21!) Ring of Fame names engraved at INVESCO I am reminded of the sweat, tears, passion and determination that have gone into every single game day to make each season…each day count.
Terrell Davis was one of the first 5 runningbacks to gain 2,000 yards in a single season. An instrumental ingredient in Denver’s two Super Bowl winning season’s in ‘97 and ‘98, earning (as you may recall) Super Bowl MVP; rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Green Bay in ‘98. While I was not a member of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders during those Super Bowl wins, I was definitely a fan of the championship team, and that kind of talent is impossible to deny.
His ultimate career stats speak for themselves–rushing 7,607 yards and 60 touchdowns, and recording seven straight 100-yard rushing performances in the playoffs, an NFL record. This fact left Mike Shanahan, Mr. Bowlen and all in attendance wondering the same thing–Hall of Fame for the 6th round pick?
This evening acknowledged TD in Broncos Country–now many of us are anxiously awaiting the day number 30 is retired in Canton, Ohio in the football Hall of Fame!
Perhaps John Elway says it best, “There were so many times I’d just stand back there, and I had the best seat in the house to watch him run…. Personally, I think he should be in the Hall of Fame. I think if you look at the years that he carried the ball, it’s almost like an Earl Campbell. The number of touches that he had for a four-, five-year period, if you take those and spread them out, it pretty much equals a 10- to 11-year career. I mean, we used him to death, and he took a heck of a beating for those four, five years when we wanted to get the ball in his hands.”
God Bless!
Keela
Tags: Alumni Reunion Weekend, Hall of Fame, John Elway, Ring of Fame, Terrell Davis
Great blog entry, but just a minor correction
“Terrell Davis was the last NFL player to gain 2,000 yards in a single season.”
This is incorrect. If you are talking rushing yards, Jamal Lewis was the last player to do it (rush for over 2000 yards).
Keela,
Excellent blog. It’s nice to see anyone as well spoken as yourself giving us an insight into other peoples view of the Denver Broncos players. We can find opinions on players from coaches, analysts, journalists, and of course other players in every media source known to man. Looking at it from your perspective one gets a chance to see what type of effect, both collectively and personally, the Broncos have on a dedicated, mission oriented professional. I’ve known two ballet dancers and one pro cheerleader outside of Denver and have always been amazed at the collective amount of misconception revolving around not only the amount of dedication it takes to do these jobs but the level of perfection they are expected to achieve in what is usually a very small amount of time. I agree with what you say about Terrell Davis belonging in the Hall of Fame. As a life long Bronco fan I have always been amazed at the fact that even with the current induction of John Elway there are only two other players that can even be associated with the Broncos whose busts reside in Canton. These players are former Grambling DB Willie Brown who played with the Broncos from 1963 to 1966 and then the Raiders from ‘67 to ‘78 and Pitt RB Tony Dorsett whose Dallas Cowboy star shone bright from 1977 to ‘87 but blinked out in Denver at the end of the 1988 season. In fact there are more players (two) in the Hall of Fame that played for the Duluth Eskimos (I’m not kidding) then there are Denver Broncos. I guess the reason that I’ve traveled down this winding road can be found in your blog. You speak to the obvious recognition of superior talent that is mastered and maximized by someone who works at dominating no matter how gifted they are. i.e. Terrell Davis. To add to this, you were present last night when Head Coach Mike Shanahan said that T.D. would be inducted into the Hall of Fame if he had anything to do with it. The point, I’m sure you also understood to mean, was that Mr. Davis’s not being inducted in his first year of eligibility was nothing short of an insult. An insult that has been suffered for to long by entirely to many Bronco greats. I believe that you understand the physical, spiritual, and mental commitment that these individuals make to be the best at what they do and yet there are not as many clear and professional voices decrying the injustice they suffer when their dedication and effort are not only forgotten but thrown to the wayside as more popular but less deserving people stroll through the door as if they had been given a key to Canton at the beginning of their careers. I know that the majority of this must seem fanatical at best and psychotic to say the least but I’ve talked to some of Denver’s home grown journalist (Adam Schefter being a prime example) and they have told me that not only am I delusional (I already know I’m delusional) for believing that any external force could have an effect on the picking of Hall of Famers but that I’m, and I quote, “Stupid!” for not understanding it (again, Mr. Schefter). Your continued voice would be a welcome addition to a subject that few really want to talk about. Thank you for your indulgence on your blog page.
Mike in San Diego.
Terrell Davis is a man like no other. I am so impressed by the way he played the game. He was a dedicated player as well as a patriotic example for man kind. My daughter wanted to name her baby after him, but Chloe was born. I can hardly wait till he is in the Hall of fame!!! Rod Smith and Ed McAffery are 2 of my Bronco Heros also.
Thanks for the article on the man, TD! I was so excited to see him be honored for his achievements in Denver!! He has always been such an excellent role model for kids and adults alike! His humble smile will always be engrained in my memory! He was the “go to guy” for this team in some of the best games I have watched and won’t be forgotten! Love ya Terrell!
Hey Keela,
You bring back such great memories of TD. My own favorite is his MVP performance in Super Bowl 32. That was the only Super Bowl our family ever went to - and, in my book, the best one for a Bronco fan to go to.
What a great half time induction ceremony yesterday and what a fitting time to pay tribute to that whole team of 10 years ago. Unfortunately yesterday’s game didn’t go well, but I think all of us as fans appreciated what you and your teammates did to keep everyone’s sprits up right up to the end. I noticed all of you kept smiling even when the game was out of reach - I think that’s pretty special.
Keela, I know you’ve mentioned that your dad played for the Broncos back in the 1970’s. We’ve been season ticket holders since 1977 and went to a few games in 1975 and 76 - so I thought maybe I might have had a chance to watch him play.
Hi Keela, I just wanted to say that T.D. was a class act on and off the field.I think more players around the league in the N.F.L.and the other professional leagues should take a page out of his book,and sculpt themselves like T.D. Congratulations Terrell on a great honor!
“Terrell Davis was the last NFL player to gain 2,000 yards in a single season.”
This is incorrect. If you are talking rushing yards, Jamal Lewis was the last player to do it (rush for over 2000 yards).
You need to read Keela’s blog again. Never did she say he was the last player to rush for over 2000 yards. She said, “Terrell Davis was one of the first 5 runningbacks to gain 2,000 yards in a single season.”
Nice job, Keela!
Keela,
Good blog… I was at the game and I touched to see TD and give him one last Mile High Salute!!
He deserves everything he earned and hopefully we will see him in the Hall of Fame soon!
Keela,
Hailee(my youngest daughter) enjoyed the game more than I ever thought she would. She was so excited to see all the Cheerleaders and Miles. We did see you when the team danced in the South Endzone.
Hailee had the oppertunity to talk to Brandon Marshall before the game and she has talked about him being her favorite football player since! He was really sweet with her.
Seeing TD was awesome! And doing the Mile High Salute was amazing! I wasn’t a Broncos fan(I wasn’t a football fan either) when he played for us, but I have watched a lot of shows about him.
I just read your response on the other blog entry, so I didn’t get a sign made, but I will for the next game we go to. I think we will be headed over for a few games in October.
We have a tough game coming up this week as we all know. As a Broncos fan though, I have to say I think we will win!
Hope everything is going well for you!
I really appreciate and understand all of the hard work that goes into your job as Denver Broncos Cheerleader…thanks!
Thank you for all of that great feedback! I must say it is certainly true that many of the great players of our time do not initially gain recognition or receive deserved credit for their multitude of accomplishments–it is often those same individuals that rise above and ultimately end up sharing their knowledge and life lessons with the world through books or other appropriate outlets. I think it is a good reminder to continue supporting the individuals (athletes, teachers, parents, students, children) that impact their communities–So while it may be true that tangible recognition from a group of your peers is not an option, we still celebrate the accomplishment and put our hands together for a job eloquently done!
Thank you for reading & sharing!
Keela
u r priity cool
I agree that T.D. was a phenomenal running back could have been the best ever no doubt. I definitely see him in the Hall of Fame at some point. I have collected a ton of his cards since he came into the league and they have collecting dust in my closet for some time now. I would like to pass them on to some deserving Broncos fans ( also have many Elways ). I’m still a huge fan just don’t really collect anymore. If anyone is interested send me an email at ( ellenken@interl.net)