The Broncos on Wednesday morning held a press conference at Dove Valley to announce that Gene Mingo — one of the most versatile players in club history — will be the team’s honorary captain for Week 5′s Legacy Game against the Boston Patriots.
Having Mingo, of all players, be the team’s honorary captain for the game holds much significance.
On Friday night, Sept. 9, 1960, the Broncos and Patriots squared off in the first-ever American Football League game, and Mingo made his mark on that contest — recording the first-ever punt return for a touchdown in AFL history to help the Broncos squeeze out a come-from-behind, 13-10 victory in Boston.
With the game hanging in the balance, Mingo can still recall catching the ball at his own 24-yard line and slicing his way downfield for the 76-yard touchdown like it was yesterday.
“When it came time for me to be back there for that punt, I can visualize it right now, right here, how I caught it,” he said. “I made a couple steps to my left, went up the field a little bit, cut back to the right and the blocking was just perfect going down the sideline.”
Mingo, also the first-ever African American placekicker in pro football history, was slated to kick the extra point after the play. One problem: he was gassed.
“I was never so tired in my life and I could not believe it, so when it came time to kick that extra point, I stepped up there to kick it and just as I went to come through with my foot, my legs got rubbery and I kicked the biggest divot out of the ground,” he said. “I didn’t make the extra point, but we did win the game.”
As one can see, few players have the versatility to return punts and kick field goals and extra points. Mingo, ever the multidimensional player, was a tailback by trade and could be counted on to tally up rushing and receiving touchdowns on a consistent basis. From time to time, Mingo also threw touchdown passes (meaning he was well ahead of today’s wildcat formation).
Speaking to the media from team headquarters on Wednesday, Mingo claimed his heart was beating as fast as the day he took to the field 50 years ago for the first-ever AFL football game, and he said he couldn’t have been more pleased to be the team’s honorary captain against the Patriots.
“It’s an honor to be here,” said Mingo, sporting one of the club’s 50th Anniversary throwback uniforms. “I appreciate the Broncos offering me this opportunity to be on the field for this 50th anniversary (game). It means a lot to me.”
A standout player during his 10-year career in pro football, Mingo now makes an impact in an even more important role, as a drugs and alcohol counselor.
“I’m proud of who I am, where I’ve been and what I’ve accomplished over 71 years,” Mingo said.
Noteworthy:
On an interesting note, Mingo grew up in Ohio and played football at Akron South High School. One of his opponents was Canton-McKinley High School, where Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Coaching Assistant Ben McDaniels and Kenny Peterson went to school.
– Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Here are some pictures from Wednesday afternoon’s practice session:
Tags: Boston Patriots, Gene Mingo, Legacy Game, Week 5
Those socks… people are going to freak all over the States.
Those socks remind me of the fudge superstar ice cream bar the ice cream man sells as he drives by my house with his ice cream music. I’m getting hungry. Lol
wow,,the retro uniforms are awesome…add the visors, the new-era helmets, accessories, etc, that makes a kick-ass uniform..YEAAHHH!!
Bmarsh looks likes he’s working hard. Good news..
Thanks for the post and pics..
THE HORROR!!! WHO COULD DESIGN SUCH AND ATROCIOUS UNIFORM?!? OH, THE HORROR!!
* an, not and
thats good they have Mingo as a captain.
My Dawkins jersey just came in today. Its so ugly but I love it!!!!!!!!
Cant wait to take it to the SD game next Monday!!!!!!!!
wow,,Broncos already turning heads..ahah..This is SWEET!
read this, look at how some of the reacting to our new revamped team:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/The-absurdly-premature-playoff-picture-Week-4;_ylt=AhlDhbs.NUItyEOuoHsCkKJDubYF?urn=nfl,194601
oh! here’s a link on this week’s injury report on both teams: hope all is well by the end of the week.
http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/10/7/1075505/new-england-patriots-at-denver?ref=yahoo
CHECK THIS OUT!
http://www.nfl.com/videos/denver-broncos/09000d5d8133b2d8/Sound-FX-McDaniels-wired
cali broncosfan, thanks for that McD miked up video, absolutely sensational, we are talking fire here. This coach is the answer in Denver. I’m not going to pad my back saying that I was always behind McD, his hiring, the Cutler firing, but I WAS, all you need to do is ask Dynamic Dave, while the majority of the fans where screaming murder at McD, I defended him the whole time, no joke. I have to admit that he even is exceeding my expectations, getting things in order a lot quicker than I ever thought he could. Anybody who has reservations about our coach has to watch the above video, absolutely eye opening experience. So glad you’re on our side, coach!
Anytime baylonorcrush…..
Those socks will be the envy of the NFL!
We should switch to virtically striped Orange and Blue socks for the rest of the year!
Stripes ROCK!!!
I like the retro uniforms. Even the socks. They are better than any pink gear.
SOCK IT TO THEM! I guess…
That’s cool Mingo will get to be honorary captain on Sunday… lucky to say I got to meet him 2 years ago at a game in Denver. Awesome guy!!
I cannot stop laughing at the sight of those socks. To think they would actually remake those after they had a bonfire just to burn them… we will surely grab attention on Sunday!!! aha I’m just glad I don’t have to wear them. But they are apart of history (good or bad thing?) so it is what it is. They’re just so goofy! And although they look really silly I have to agree with roddoliver… I’d much rather see our boys where those yellow and brown turd socks (and uniforms) than something pink. Cannot stand the color pink.
I hope see this team come out on top this weekend… they’re capable of it. Looking forward to being 5-0. Just take the advice Dawkins is dishing out… “be humble, but stay hungry”. Couldn’t have said it better myself. This game is just like any other, gotta fight to win if they want it.
Keep the faith Bronco Nation…
GO BRONCOS!!!!
Anyone of you guys know when the new SI issue will be out? the one with Graham running over a Cowboy on the cover.
The socks crack me up. Did they have LSD running wild when they came out?
baylinorcrush, did you ever try to get back on at the Fan Huddle site?
Orange_Crusher, come pay a visit, as well.
Cali_BroncosFan, nice clip of McD, thanks.
cali broncosfan, sick video dude thanks alot
baylinorcrush…
I believe it said October 12th..It says the date above the cover if you look at it. I remember seeing it but i am unsure. I know I will definitely have a couple copies though
HAHA…nice clip indeed calibronco. Like how Dawkins is so respectful at the end with the “yes sirs”….Even tho he is like 3 years older than McD lol.
In a complete opposite of what Baylin said, I was a bit skeptical about McD, the cutler firing and all the stuff he stated. Prolly cuz Im a young Bronco fan and Shanny Era is all I’ve known, but I always had hope that he would prove me wrong and never exploded for the simple fact that “Its already happened, can’t be changed, water under the bridge”. McD was the best way to go if we HAD to lose shanny, which we did. Still luv shanny tho. Still think he handled the Cutler thing wrong (both did), always chucked it up to a rookie mistake but we got alot out of it. Shoulda taken the Bmarsh approach with Jay lol….seemed to work wonders.
HAHAHA, we are gonna look so hideous on sunday but im looking foward to seeing it lol….gotta love those socks lol. Tried to see if I could find the Gene Mingo Punt Return somewhere, if anyone has it, lemme know. Glad to see him as our Honorary Captain. A man that actually wore those socks lol
GO BRONCOS!!!
Thosesocks are the last things Tom Brady will see before he gets destroyed by Elvis.
Even if the team won’t look good aesthetically, the result on the scoreboard will be beautiful in my eyes as we improve to 5-0. Eddie Royal will make numerous plays to help us win. I feel it in my bones. Look for Elivs to give Brady hell all day while Hillis contributes solidly to the running game. I also see Darrell Reid making some big plays. GO BRONCOS!!! One more thing, let’s wear orange every week!
Haha, everyone should check it the blogs on NFL.com All the pats fans are sooo ignorant that it is soo funny!
I think the retro uniform will help us this weekend. Brady will probably be to distracted by a yellow jersey with 92 written in brown coming at him!!! The fans needs to start yelling DOOOOMMMMM!!!!! every sack he gets!
Dunno if anyone noticed…but according to the Depth Chart updated Oct 6…Brandon Marshall is now on the FIRST team. This means more practice with Orton and More chemistry and sync. Eddie Royal is still above him but now Royal is 1, Marshall is 2, Gaffney is 3. stokely is the option behind Marshall so im guessing that means when Marshall isnt in he will be. CONGRATZ BEAST.
I posted 2 or so days ago that Marshall should be the #1 reciever. The reason I say this ins’t just cuz im a big fan and he is extremely talented and deserving with the work he has put in. But because Royal isnt a factor as a number 1 reciever. He is more of a speedy route running slot guy. He can’t make plays in the double team. Thats Marshalls role. Using his size advantage to get the better of one or multiple Defenders.
For example, last year Marshall was #1 and being double teamed and still made plays and gave Royal oppourtunities to make plays. Now that Royal is #1 he is not making plays but others are. Better someone in the double team that can still make plays than someone who will be shutout. Royal is a great talent and very deserving on the #1 WR position but It will benefit us more to make Marshall 1 and Royal 2. Although I think the fact that Marshall is on the starting team now means he will draw attention and give Royal oppourtunities once again.
THE SEASON IS OURS FOR THE TAKING
GO BRONCOS!!!
The SOCKS…SOCKS…SOCKS….
HAHAHAHAHA
Man the SOCKs..aww.. I’m cryin’ LOL
Thanks, broncosfreak30, I appreciate it.
DDave, I have been back a couple of times checking out your articles and comments, it seems pretty slow so far, of course it just opened. The bigger problem for me is, I’ve had to apply for 3 new passwords so far and it just won’t let me in anymore. For some reason, I haven’t been able to get my own password, so they issue one to me and this last one has 12 characters, letters, some in caps, and a few #’s, a total pain in the you know what. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get back in ever, but either way I’ll give it a good break, wait for traffic to increase and try to register again… In the meantime, websites are like jobs, so make sure you stay with us, you never know how long that website will be on. The big problem I see with it is it is way too broad, I mean it covers so many sports and so many teams, everything seems lost in the shuffle. However, I’m glad for you, but don’t wear out, you’re still recovering and you seem very tired. I like this wesite, it’s all about and only about the Broncos and that’s what I care about so don’t take it personally, but so far the fanhuddle hasn’t exactly been rewarding to me.
…website…
JOSH MCDANIELS!!!!!
I’M 33 WITH A WIFE AND 2 KIDS! ME AND MY WIFE ARE EXPECTING OUR 3RD CHILD!
AFTER WATCHING YOUR “WIRED” VIDEO…………UM WILL YOU MARRY ME?
SERIOUSLY, I WORK FULL TIME, LIKE LOMG WALKS ALOMG THE BEACH AND AM A CAPICORN…..PLEASE SEND YOUR RESPONSE VIA CARRIER PIGEON WITH 2 TICKETS TO THIS SUNDAYS GAME!
LOL!
NOW THATS HOW YOU GET YOUR PLAYERS GOING ..WOW!! I like how he told Kyle no not my bad make a play! I always thought a coach has to get the team together and get them fired up when the team is not playing good. If Mc D would of been here LY we would not have drop the last 3 games. I can’t wait to see the SI cover. I was one like baylinocrush who was behind the new change especialy the hireing Nolan and other D coaches. I wanted us to hire him LY after SF fired him. Does any one know if you can buy the 50th annversary patch?
No one here, so I’ve been babbling away on the Cooper blog this morning, I like how he responds to us after a few days, that O lineman is a cool guy, and he talks too! LOL.
The whole thing about that McD mike up video is that in a couple of minutes it tells you all you need to know about this coach. And the difference between his coaching ways and Shanny’s are miles apart. I mean, with McD it is practice in full pads til you fall and tell it like it is to the players on the sideline all game long. With Shanny, it was practice in shorts for awhile then enjoy the spa and give a steely stare to one of the players once in a great while on the sideline. I’m telling you, I’m a firm believer that Shanahan’s coaching was mainly a product of how great some of his quarterbacks were, Montana, Young and Elway. See how great his coaching was when his QB’s were Brister, Griese and Cutler. McD does it with his system and his system only and that will be why he probably will be regarded as one of the all time great when this is all said and done. Ok, I’m getting carried away here, but after watching THE MAN on the sidelines, who wouldn’t?
correction, Shanny did not coach Montana, it doesn’t change the argument though…
baylinorcrush: I’m with you, you’re exactly right. Last season Shanny decided not to go full pads and the defense softened up and everyone saw it. Then he went full pads and the D played a little better. Then we had injuries so we went to no pads again. Then the D started to soften up again. Watchin’ that video makes me think that McDaniels isn’t just for show. There were a lot of bleeps in that vid, which means he’s passionate and gets guys fired up. I also like how he was holding everyone accountable. Like when he was talkin’ to Orton and the Offense about do you own job, don’t worry about everyone else. I think he brings some new fire to the coaching staff. With Shanny he did have the fire and like you said he also had Sharpe, Davis, Smith, Elway, Wilson, McCaffery, Nalen, Atwater, a lot of guys who you didn’t need to tell them they new what they needed to do to win. So I’m liking what I see from the Broncos.
Wow Baylin, I hear ya and all and its one thing to say he isnt as great as we all think he is but what u just said almost stripped him of all his accomplishments. Still think he was an offensive Genius. The whole any RB in your system getting over 1000 yards….that was him. Only difference with him and McD is that Shanny might have been more RB where McD is more QB. Shanny will go down as one of the greats. Yea he never got it done with Brister, Griese, and plummer but those guys were mad average the best of which being plummer and we went to the AFC championship with him on the strength of Mike anderson and Tatum bells almost record breaking season, with some help from the D, and some ok play from plummer. sure we didnt make the big game but still. Mcd is a great young talent (him and Tomlin are like Next Gen coaches) but dont make it sound like shanny was whack. But you probably know better since you are more “seasoned” than I am lol.
Wow it almost sounds like yall are punishing Shanny for drafting good players or picking up good players lol….Good players make a team do good. Average players make a team do average with a chance of any given sunday.
Liked the vid too. He is passionate about what he does. Shanny never smiled, never frowned, never got fired up. Thats the difference between old generational coaches and newer ones in my book. Brian Dawkins has been saying McD and Nolan have been preaching gap control and handling your own thing, not worrying too much about what the man next to you is doing. Playing as a unit and McD sure is enforcing it. Told Orton…”I dont wanna hear my bad” lol
I am glad we changed, but i think Shanny was a excellent coach who lost a step and became too predictable and a bit soft. I think he was great at getting the most out of good players but he had too much power and no coach can do it all. Reaves was a good coach too but it was time to move on as well.We have had some very good coaches and we owe it to Mr Bowlen.
I read an article a while back that said Shanny was still the highest paid head coach. Went on to say as long as he didn’t bad mouth the franshise or give away any trade secrets he’d get $7 million. This was way back shortly after he got fired. Man that’s crazy.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like Shanny. I think the worst thing was the injuries last season that hurt the biggest. Hey Shanny will be back, if Wade flunks the Cowboys again I could see Jones going after Shanny.
Every great coach kinda falls after winning for years. Noll, Landry, Lumbardi and Shanny. I really don’t know of any coach that won a SB then won again after more than 5 or more years later. Gibbs had 84,87 then 91,
TRB, I hear you and you make good points, I answered you on the Jim Saccomano blog, see you there, if you’re not scared that is…LOL.