One of the oldest sayings in sport is “You can’t tell the players without a scorecard.”
That goes back in time to the first and most basic team marketing efforts, that of selling scorecards for a penny (prices have really gone up!) to the fans in the stands.
Ever since teams started putting numbers on players’ jerseys — a practice which began in the 1920′s — what number a player wears has become as much an identification of some athletes as their name. I was just doing a little research into Denver Broncos all-time player numbers, with this being the 50th anniversary of the franchise, and here are a few Bronco number notations.
Every jersey number has been worn at least once in francchise history.
Three are retired: 7 for John Elway — one of three players ever to wear No. 7 — 18 for Frank Tripucka, and 44 for Floyd Little.
Three players have worn three different numbers: offensive lineman Sam Brunelli wore 64, 68, and 72; tight end Nate Jackson wore 14, 81, and 89; linebacker Keith Burns, now a Broncos special teams coach, wore 51, 55, and 56 while firing up the fans.
There are three numbers that have each been worn just once: Tripucka is the only Bronco ever to wear 18, placekicker David Treadwell is the only No. 9 in franchise annals, and the legendary Johnny O (John Olszewski, a well traveled NFL veteran fullback who concluded his playing days as a Bronco in 1962) always liked to wear a uniform number that symbolized his nickname: the nickname was Johnny O, hence the number was 0.
American Football League fans will remember that the Oakland Raiders’ great Hall of Fame center Jim Otto went Johnny O one farther by wearing 00 on his back, the lowest number ever worn in sports history.
Despite great research efforts by the public relations department, the Broncos have three early year players whose uniform numbers remain unknown: tackle Leo Reed (1961), halfback Harold Williams (1962) and end Hugh Smith (1962). Early record keeping was very sporadic, and it’s amazing how much we actually do know about the early years, but we don’t know the uniform numbers of those three men.
The highest number ever worn is 99, which has been used ten times, always by a defensive lineman.
Lots of players have worn two numbers, and among the most prominent are linebacker Randy Gradishar, who was 52 as a rookie before becoming the legendary number 53, and tight end Shannon Sharpe, who was 81 for two years before donning his familiar 84.
In the early years, Cookie Gilchrist wore number 2 his first time with the Broncos and then opted for number 30 when he returned to the club.
And everbody knows John Elway’s No. 7.
But before Elway wore it, Craig Morton had it from 1977-82, and since John’s arrival was 1983 that means the Denver quarterback wore 7 from 1977 through 1998, 21 consecutive years.
But the first number 7 was Milton (Mickey) Slaughter, who wore numbers 7 and 14 duing his early 1960′s Denver career. Although not familiar to many Bronco fans today, Slaughter continued in the game as a fine coach and his most notable player was Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, tutored by Mickey Slaughter while a collegian at Louisiana Tech.
So it is still true that you can’t tell the player without some form of scorecard, but it’s also true that even a scorecard does not tell you the history behind a number.
Tags: 2009, Broncos 50th, Jersey Numbers
imready Says:
Look at the facts guys , seldom does a team win a superbowl with great defense and a QB that is mediocre. It has happened, but usually you need an excellent QB and a very good defense.
I think maybe your forgetting 24th ranked QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers 80.1 passer rateing and Thier D. (twice) did’nt they beat the 3rd ranked QB Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals 96.9 passer rateing and an good D?
How about Doug Williams 69.4 passer rateing and a good D. or
Phil Simms 78.5 passer rateing and a good D.
Truth is I would take any of these QB’s over Cutler right now.
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Here’s one for ya Jeff Hostetler 80.48,Broncos Fans should never forget that one,
AND HERE’S ANOTHER, HOF QB Joe Namath * 65.46 passer rateing. I would take any one of these guy’s as our starting QB because of their LEADERSHIP. Cutler has a 48Mill contract HONOR IT ! show up and LEAD your TEAM.
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Ricky Williams is a free agent I would like to see him in orang and blue he had over 500 yards in a reserve roll he could do well Ron Dayne is still out there as well I only bring him up because if Hillis is going to play halfback we will need more depth at fullback and he could provide it as for D we could possibly pick up Marlon Greenwood for some nice added depth as well as trying to talk Justin Miller out of NY he would be a nice nickle I think Torry Holt would be a good guy to pick up to be an example for these young guys as he has done well to stay out of trouble and has had an amazing career
Monodono,you guys are always comparing apples to oranges here. Football was a little different in the 60′s . I didn’t say it doesn’t happen, I said it doesn’t happen that often . How many superbowls have been won with QB’s that were playing at a very high level? How many teams never made it that far because of a bad QB situation. For example ,look at all the great defensive teams the Ravens fielded in the last how many years only to be turned away because they didn’t have a QB?
QB rating shouldnt be used as the marker of whether a QB is good or not, go search how the number is calculated, its a very unique formula and the slightest thing can have a significant impact on the number
Hi,
I am a Bronco fan on the other side of the pond so thanks everybody here for sharing your thoughts. It is good to see what the Bronco community thinks about what is going on since I cannot find out first hand.
I just wanted to pitch in my 5 cents on the whole issue. It seems to me obvious that not too many people can be comfortable with the way McD has handled this. I mean seriously, he expects everyone around him to be humble etc, but he himself will not have to prove anything, just go in and boss around. Sorry buddy but life doesn’t work like that, not for coach Billicheck, Shannahan, Holmgren, or anybody else for that matter. If we want someone to blame for this, it has to be McD because he brought this on Cutler, not the other way around.
To you who say that McD is so good and has proven himself, I get to differ. McD has not proven himself more than the 24 year old traders in the investment banks that caused most of the banks to crumble. Just because they had been profitable for 3 straight years, earning good money for the bank they think they are entitled to $20m in bonus and way more responsibility etc. The bosses gave these guys what they wanted and see where that went… They were also young superstars but brought down franchises that were 150 years old (Lehman Brothers). I am not saying that McD will bring the Broncos to the ground, hey he might be a good coach, but take his credentials from a great organisation where he was quarterback coach, and say that proves anything… that is taking it too far.
To the people who draw up great scenarios if we trade Jay, sure that could happen. But chances are we will struggle with a bottom quartile quarterback like Quinn, and draft picks are tricky, even in the first round (Deltha O’Neal anybody).
Finally, it is great that some of the fans try to influence the organisation to have stay. Keep up the good work! I have created a petition to get Cutler to stay, you can find it at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Cutler/index.html
Cutler has ripped into B Marsh so many times calling him out. Why haven’t we heard from Brandon saying to Jay come back and support his team mates.
The only thing I can imagine is Joshy Boy is keeping a lid on him. Stockley Did say that he was really upset about them letting Mike Leach go.
Joshy Boy is so smart to sign a 1 Million Dollar Long Snapper in his 10th year.
bones1965 I do remember when Cutler ripped into him which was awesome! It showed leadership so now i ask to Cutler why cant you take the heat when someone/everyone is calling you out and telling you to shape up? If you had just kept your mouth shut and let McD do his thing and realized yes indeed he is a rookie coach, then NOTHING would be going wrong you could have taken the high road and made yourself that much more valuable to the NFL and to the Bronconation. WE NEED YOU AS A LEADER NOT A FOLLOWER get rid of Crook and become the franchise player the broncos have wanted and needed since Elway.
Brady Quinn throws like a girl… next to Cutler.
But he is much more cute… if you go for that kind of thing IN YOUR FOOTBALL PLAYERS. Come on, give me a break. NFL. com has a picture of Quinn entitled “Trade Winds.” Please, please, PLEASE don’t bring in some magazine cover to be our Denver Bronco QB. We like our good old-fashioned, strong-armed quarteback (who can make all the throws, by the way) thank you very much.
For the love, keep Jay Cutler at all cost.
i guess u could say i was more a shanny/ elway fan cause that was the era i started watching football. with them both gone i but my faith in cutler.
speaking about defense, the year the ravens went, well i think that was the best single season defensive play that i have ever witnessed!they were too awesome! on another note, i wonder if the broncos are talking or even trying to resolve this cutler/ McD issue? i think they are loving this publicity! In my honest opinion though, i think jay screwed up when he called bowlen out about the bates firing. i just wish they would resolve this one way or another, at least by draft day.one thing, people keep talking about jay’s record as a qb. he threw for 4500 plus yards last year! he ran for more. i would say he is pulling his weight. enver hasnt had a “D” in quite some time! I say keep cutler and bring elway in as a qb coach! that would kik ars!
if cutler leaves it will be like looking for a quarterback after elway left. and it will take years to find one to.
I just wanted to say I had a family picture with all my little nieces and nephews who were wearing their Bronco gear with me. Two of my nephews have Jay Cutler jerseys. Thus we see that he is our future as even young Bronco fans are wearing Broncos apparel with his name on it. Your destiny is with us, winning Super Bowls, Jay. Don’t squander this opportunity!
Great Piece, nice to see some news that is related to the franchise and not just the current team. Thanks for the interesting knowledge!
When our team 6-10 next season how many fans will really be supporting Joshy Boy.
Maybe Shanahan could call and get Jay straighten out he is still on the payroll for 7 Million Dollars.
Reality is jay is going to get traded and there is nothing we can about it.
While im disgusted at what he was involved in, i still stan d firm that EVERYONE deserves a second chance. If we lose Jay lets go out on a limb and pick up Mike Vick!! Of course he cant wear the #7 but he would be a good fit. He has done his time, give him another chance. Im halfway joking, but halfway serious. I just dont want 10 more yrs of losing records and almost makin the playoffs!
Are the broncos looking to replace Cutler with a rookie QB? Maybe… Check this out.
http://profootball.scout.com/2/848959.html
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mark kiszla
Kiszla: Cook is no top chef in Jay-C mess
By Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post
Posted: 03/22/2009 12:30:00 AM MDT
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_11970093
He makes some good points especially about Not long ago, there was a Broncos quarterback who made the Pro Bowl, got a championship ring as a gift and was favorably compared to Joe Montana by his coach, all by the time he was 25 years old.
Anybody consider Brian Griese a franchise quarterback now? HeHe… Cutler I hope your not headed in this direction.
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Goodell, Quinn, Simms chime in on the Cutler debate
http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/03/22/goodell-quinn-simms-chime-in-on-the-cutler-debate/
Patrick McManamon of the Beacon Journal writes
“… if a team calls and makes an offer for Quinn, the Browns have to listen. Just like the Broncos had to listen to teams calling about Cutler, even though Cutler got his drawers in a bunch about it.” HeHeHeHe
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no scttyclln your face is a tool naner naner
grow up, why you got to hate on me? What did I do to you that you have to call me out, thats right nothing!
I’m just posting information to give people knowledge.
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Here’s an interview with Belichick in The Boston Globe everybody should read.He didn’t deny that Denver made a last-minute overture about a three-way trade that league sources said would have netted the Patriots a first-round pick, but The Broncos, or any other team, never presented a concrete trade offer that was better than the deal they made.
REPEAT Belichick said the Broncos, or any other team, never presented a concrete trade offer that was better than the deal they made.
please Bronco Fans read this interview and learn. It starts off talking about The Patiots trying to pickup Peppers then moves into the Cassel trade.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2009/03/20/belichick_adds_touch_of_spice/?page=1
Maybe just maybe Mortenson could’ve been wrong when He reported The Broncos offered their 1st round pick for Cassel? How about some one call Mike Shanahan in KC and find out, what? Mortenson was wrong about that to? What the?!
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exactly why no one should ever believe anything that is reported by ESPN.. not reliable, not credible
Here is another rumor to make you stomach turn Peyton Hillis may be one of three running backs up for trade. The other are Torrain and Young, I wasn’t very happy about getting rid of Shanahan, now I am beginning to really regret Bowlen taking over by giving the reins to McDaniels!
I get what you are trying toi say about the Cassel trade but my thing with this whole deal was that he tried to make a trade, and that he lied! It is that simple for me, yes ESPN runs with rumors, but McDaniels confirmed the story with Peter King. McDaniels former boss has been known to lie also, so the only thing we know for sure is that they can’t be trusted either.
It looks like Coach is going to do something more to try to win Cutler back with a media release this evening. It’s about time. I wonder if Coach’s perspective about Jay has changed at all after having the whole team back to work. I mean, I would imagine that you would get a better feel for Jay’s leadership skills (now challenged everwhere in the media) by being around the players who actually worked with him last year. I hope he can come up with something to say that will cause Culter to take pause and reconsider. Something like this:
“After interviewing many of your teamates, I am now more sure than ever that you are the man I want piloting this team. I realize now, more than ever, how wrong I was to even consider trading you. I’m afraid I had the wrong impression of you, Jay Cutler, and I’ve come to see the light. This whole ordeal has actually helped to change my opinion about you also. Now that I have gotten to see first hand your determination and the strength of you will, I believe that we can succeed together in this league–because that’s the kind of don’t-give-up attitude we need on the field. I only ask one thing, that you give me a chance and the honor to be your coach. Please Jay Cutler, come back home.
Coach McCoach
Monodono…dont sweat the haters bro im with ya!!…Go Broncos!!!!!
Monodono: You make more sense than most. Obviously you think with your brain rather than following your emotions. Thanks for all the informational links.
THANKS!
I got a question and it’s still hypothetical and by no means do I want Cutler to be traded, but what if Jay does get traded and say Chris Simms does become our starting QB(like I said Hypothetical)
that would shift the pressure on our OLine to the R Tackle to protect Simms’ back side. My question is How do you feel about Ryan Harris doing this or would you switch and put Ryan Clady on the right side?
Personally I think Harris did a great job on the right side last year but thats not against the best pass rushers.
I just thought it was interesting to know how others would see it(Hypothetically).
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Latest I am hearing is that Joshy Boy is now looking at trading Hillis, Torian, or S Young.
Joshy Boy Go Back to New England.
Monodono isn’t excessive to post four in a row?
Yeah monodono, I think this says it ALL right from the source itself, Bill Belichick. McD didn’t lie, he never made an offer to trade Cutler.
“The bottom line is that it was never really presented. It was like, ‘Maybe, this could happen.’ But it was never presented as, ‘Here is a firm offer; here’s a deal. Do you want to deal?’ It never happened that way.”
Deion Sanders said in an interview that “Cutler needs to man up and lead his team.” I agree with him. And notice he said, HIS team. The players ARE the team, not the coaches. The coaches coach the players, they do not make tackles or throw TD’s.
This is Cutler’s team if he wants it. I hope he does, for his teammates sake and for the fans sake.
NO TRADE NO WAY!!!
The Jets have expressed interest in Cutler. McDaniels reply to NFL.com was “he’s our quarterback”. Now if he would just tell Cutler that…
The bottom line is, Cutler gives the Broncos the best chance of winning in 2009, period. This is a business of winning. Cutler is under contract. End of story. It’s a moot point. No trade can do.
He needs to take Sanders’ advise and man up and lead HIS team. Besides, the Broncos also give Cutler the best chance of winning in 2009 as well. He knows this teammates and has chemistry with Royal and Marshall already. Part of throwing for 4,500 yds is having great receivers. How many of those 4,500 are YAC?
Belichick never got an offer from Denver, it never happened. This whole thing has gotten blown way out of proportion. End it like men and let’s move on!
NO TRADE NO WAY!!!
Bowlen staying out of drama
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_11968834
Bowlen is the smarter man for it.
Pat’s father, Paul D. Bowlen, became a millionaire in the Canadian oil business, founding Regent Oil as a wildcatter. Bowlen attended the University of Oklahoma and earned degrees in business (1965) and law (1968). The younger Bowlen became wealthy in his own right by becoming a successful lawyer in Edmonton, Alberta. He also worked as an executive for his father’s company and as a real estate developer.
Bowlen is an initiated member of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity. He was initiated by the University of Oklahoma, Beta Omicron chapter in 1963. He is a member of the bar association and law society of Alberta, Canada. Bowlen is also one of the largest donors to the University of Denver.
I believe Mr. Bowlen knows what He’s doing.
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Heres a good read in The Post.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_11974189
Denver’s focus on defense for top draft pick
It also talks about Dever dangleing RB’s as trade bait.
I wonder why Klis left Cory Boyd, Spencer Larsen, and Andrew Pinnock off the list?
Here’s a quote from Mr. Bowlen on the toughest situations.
And, no, the Cutler controversy isn’t among the toughest ordeals Bowlen has experienced. He picked two others.
“Looking back at it, I’d have to say losing the first one,” Bowlen said of Super Bowl XXI, when Phil Simms, father of current Broncos quarterback Chris Simms, completed 22-of-25 passes for the victorious New York Giants. “Because you really don’t know what it’s like. You go into that, you’re not thinking about losing.
“And Darrent Williams was certainly one of the worst things I’ve ever had to go through as Broncos owner, as a human being.”
Williams, a 24-year-old cornerback who came to the Broncos from Oklahoma State, was slain in a drive-by shooting in Denver on Jan. 1, 2007.
Broncos Fans should never forget those two “ORDEALS”
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Sorry Bones1965, I just want the info out there and I want people to talk about things not just scream and bitch. Information is power and I want The Broncos Fans to be the strongest Fnas in the league. feed your minds.
as you know I will sometimes say things that really piss people off but it get’s them talking and thats what I really want. I will play Devils advocate just to spark debate.
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I read that article/interview with Bellichick like two days ago. This is like old news, but since you’re bringing it up today for some reason, I’ll add my two cents. When Coach Bellichick says “nothing concrete” was presented to him, it does not mean that he didn’t know anything about McCoach’s interest in trading away Jay Cutler for Mark Castle (or whatever his name is–some no-name qb). It simple means that McCoach wasn’t efficient enough to get this unfortunate trade done to begin with. Yet another rookie mistake.
Maybe once Josh McDaniels gets all of these blunders out of his system, we’ll get rid of him so that another team gets him just when he’s entering his prime… Just like we’ve (almost) done with Jay Cutler.
Go Broncos!
bus, I mean Cutlerizer, read and spin the artical the way you want.
Mike Vick to the Broncos? Someone is going to let him play, I say give him a chance.
I got already tired and bored of these McD-Cutler stuff. Same boring stuff as last year with Favre. I just can’t believe there aren’t another news to talk about. It only shows that the NFL isn’t really 24/7, and they need to pull this as looong as it’s possible to fill the blanks. Now I’m even missing NFL Europe!!
What with Marshall? Is he going to be suspended or what?
And if I have to say something about all this to keep in track:
1.Cutler did what he did in 2008 thanks in big part to the OL and his receivers. He went to Pro Bowl to show his “pro-level” and what did he do?… well, I guess he missed his OL guys, right?
That proves the team’s name is Denver Broncos, not Jay Cutler & the guys.
2.If McD really wants Cutler in, then he has to say and sign that he won’t trade Cutler for the next 3 years or so. And not just “he’s our QB. Period.”… yeah, until draft day, period? Or until you leave the Broncos, period? Or until this keeps bringing publicity to the Broncos, period?
Or if he’s going to trade Jay, then do it already!! Stop all these media nonsense and begin working with what’s going to be the real team, with all the likes and dislikes of everyone of us. It doesn’t matter at the end. What it really matters is knowing we Bronco fans have a TEAM already working, getting ready for the season.
3.And that Cook guy… he’s not even a Denver Bronco. He’s just making his annual business with Jay, last year it was Brett and next year it will be another. If I had to hate someone… this should be the target. But I’m so tired of this all, that it’s not even worth it.
McD, Jay, come on guys! Get a beer, palm your butts and get to work.
Go Broncos!!
(It’s hope talking, because we’re not going anywhere now).
Mr. Saccomano,
One of the other bloggers wondered why The Broncos chose to get rid of the 1960 uniforms. Could you do a peice on The History on The Broncos uniforms please? I think it would be entertaining to know some trivia on the subject. Thanks again for The History lessons.
TIME OF POSSESSON ! ! !
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Peace u putzes. Im the newest chicago bears fan
eliza dushku…
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