Jim Saccomano

One of the most gratifying moments of Super Bowl week for fans of the Denver Broncos was the announcement that tackle Gary Zimmerman had been selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Zim is absolutely one of the greatest offensive linemen in pro football history, as his selection to the all-decade teams of both the 1980’s and the 1990’s clearly attests.

He had to wait a couple of years longer even than he should have, but there is no question that the voters got it right in naming him to the game’s most hallowed halls.

As great as the news was about Zimmerman, it was just as disappointing that all-time great Randy Gradishar did not get selected.

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By now just about everyone is aware that aside from John Elway — who was an obvious choice and who played for the Denver Broncos for the entirety of his 16-year NFL career — only two other players with Bronco ties are in the Hall of Fame.

Those would be running back Tony Dorsett — clearly in for his play with the Dallas Cowboys — and cornerback Willie Brown, who played the most famous part of his career with the Oakland Raiders, although he was also an All-AFL corner while with the Broncos.

After 30 years in the NFL I feel like I have been teased by the Hall of Fame voters more often than Charlie Brown by Lucy and her football in the Peanuts cartoon.

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Now, you have to admit, that’s some nickname.

Unfortunately, with each passing day, fewer fans know to whom that moniker applies.

On Saturday night at our preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, someone mispronounced Concrete Charlie’s last name.

When I made the correction, the party just said, “Whatever. Hey, is he in the Hall of Fame?”

Yes, he is. And I certainly understand that the most recent breed of fans and players might have some lack of awareness here.

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Because the National Football League is the dominant spectator sport in the nation, the number one sport in popularity according to fans in every Gallup or Harris poll taken since 1968, everyone wants to get right onto the regular season, and there is a common theme that preseason football does not matter and/or is not very interesting.

As is always the case, however, it all depends on your point of view.

Every team has veteran players who do not need too many reps, don’t want too many, and won’t be given too many over these next four games.

However, for every player of that ilk, there is at least one, more likely two or three who are dependent on every single play of camp and games to try and impress.

Remember, the camera is always on; the coaches see every play of every practice, over and over.

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This is Hall of Fame weekend in the National Football League, the kickoff event of the new season and the time when all-time greats are honored for their contributions to the game.  Whether large or small, the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame class always includes the game’s greats, and the ceremonies in Canton never are less than memorable.

All Bronco fans are aware that quarterback John Elway is the only Bronco in the Hall of Fame, in terms of players who made their marks in Denver.  And it is no great secret that many of us have frequently stated frustration with that fact.

However, there are others with Denver connections in the Hall, including cornerback Willie Brown, who started his pro career as a Bronco, and running back Tony Dorsett, the Dallas great who ended his career in the Mile High City.

But there is another with a big Denver connection, and he was a man I was honored to work for, and will always be proud to have called him a friend.

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As most fans know by news reports, today running back Terrell Davis was voted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame by the selection committee, which includes owner Pat Bowlen, former GM John Beake, former defensive coordinator Joe Collier, and former play-by-play voice Larry Zimmer.

I know that everyone agrees that this is a great selection, and in my opinion it is one of the best selections ever made by the group.

TD stands as a “great’s great.”  One of those guys whom even the greatest players look up to.

Just yesterday Curtis Martin retired after a great and long career, and he had over 14,000 yards rushing.

But nothing compares to four things which Terrell did, and which NO ONE ELSE IN FOOTBALL HISTORY has ever done.

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