This blog is the result of a lengthy research project, the results of which might be of minimal interest to most fans. However, there are a certain number of pro football historians who have long debated a question about the Denver Broncos uniform, and this project was my effort to answer a question.
Some blogs might be called “I remember when,” and this one legitimately could be referenced as “NOBODY remembers when.”
A horse is a horse, or course, of course (that phrase part of the theme song of an old 1960′s television sitcom about a talking horse, “Mister Ed”), but this project involves a horse of a different color, so to speak, with that color up for debate.
Everyone knows that the Broncos wore seal brown and a mustard yellow the first two seasons of play (1960-61), and in 1962 the team adopted a new color combination of orange, royal blue and white.
The helmet worn from 1962-66 was orange (basically, a University of Tennessee tint as opposed to the more familiar orange of the last 40 years) with a white caricature horse on the helmet.
However, for years I have received scattered phone calls or letters insisting that there was a dark horse as well on the helmet in 1962. Some people have said that this dark horse was blue, and some have said it was brown.
Finally, in part due to having some extra time resulting from the lockout this past offseason, I embarked on an extensive research project focusing on the 1962 helmet horse.
What I found was that yes, indeed, the Denver Broncos began the 1962 season with a dark horse on the sides of their helmets. I looked at the film from every game played that year, and the Broncos did not break out their new uniforms until the regular season, with a September 7 win over the San Diego Chargers at the University of Denver’s Hilltop Stadium.
The horse logo on the sides of the helmets that night was dark, and remained so for the next four games-contests at Buffalo’s War Memorial Stadium, Boston’s Boston University Field and New York’s legendary Polo Grounds, before returning home to face the Raiders on Friday, night, October 5.
The dark horse was worn for all five of those games, and the contest against the Raiders was the last one for the dark horse.
The following week, October 14 at Oakland’s Frank Youell Field, the Broncos debuted their new white horse logo on both sides of the helmet. That was the look that would remain unchanged through the 1966 campaign.
But what color was the horse?
Well, part of the reason for the debate was the same reason a change was made. The uniforms were in color, but the games on TV were in black and white-the blue horse just looked like a blotch of mud on the orange helmet, making the logo virtually blend into the rest of the helmet.
Many fans recall the color as brown, due to the uniform colors of the first two years. Others said it was blue.
As I wrote, I first checked all the highlight films from the games, old, grainy and black and white. It was clear when the change took place to white, but as I wrote, the film was black and white.
I then went to the Denver Public Library and read all the microfilm articles of the day, and virtually every article about the new uniforms praised the color combination as exclusively orange, royal blue and white-The Denver Post called the new uniform a “dazzling orange, blue and white look.” Clearly, there was not a single mention of the word “brown” in any news article in either The Denver Post or the Rocky Mountain News for the 1962 season. The Denver post did boast, as it should have, that the helmet horse design was by their sportswriter/sports cartoonist Bob Bowie.
Bob was a talented guy from back in the day when writers also drew cartoons, but that’s a different topic entirely. Likely he was asked to design the horse because he was a talented local artist, but I suspect currying favor with one of the major papers entered into Broncos thinking as well.
On April 4, 1962 The Denver Post prominently ran a photo of General Manager/Head Coach Jack Faulkner admiring the new orange and blue helmet, again calling the combination “dazzling.”
As part of this project I called three individuals who were working in Denver at the time, either for the Broncos or as journalists.
My first call was to longtime friend Chuck Garrity, then sports editor of The Post and now retired from journalism and most recently NFL Properties. I also interviewed friend and mentor Al King, publicist for the Broncos from 1961 through 1969, and Ronnie Bill, assistant equipment man for the same period.
I asked the same question of each: blue, or brown?
“Blue,” said Garrity, with no hesitation whatsoever. “When Faulkner took over the Broncos in 1962 he wanted to cut all ties with brown. The team was just so bad the first two years, and that color combination of brown and yellow, with those striped socks, were so representative of a terrible team, he could not wait to make a change.”
It is now well known as part of Denver’s urban legend that the brown and yellow uniforms were symbolically burned at a bonfire prior to that 1962 campaign.
“Not only were there no remnants of brown in the new uniform,” added Garrity, “but there was never a brown horse in the first place. The 1960 and ’61 helmets only had a numeral on each side, like the University of Alabama. They not only would have had to carry over a color they were getting rid of, but a logo that never existed on any previous helmet in the first place.”
Ronnie Bill added that, “I was the one who put the decals on the helmets every week, and there was never any brown horse. Every week I had to touch up the helmets and get them ready for that week’s game. There was nothing brown in the 1962 uniform.”
Even more emphatic was Al King, a public relations pro from back in the day and a mentor of mine since the start of my own career with the Denver Bears. King followed the same pattern, coincidentally, first Bears, then Broncos.
King noted with authority that “The logo on the helmet was blue. But it looked like heck on TV. The game were still basically in black and white, and the logo was not visibly discernable, just looked like a big blotch. When we changed the helmet logo from blue to white it showed up a lot more clearly. You could actually tell it was a cartoon or a horse, instead of a blob.”
He too added, “The team’s reputation was so bad, and the brown uniforms were such a laughingstock, that Jack (Faulkner) really wanted to separate us from anything brown. The horse was blue for those first several games (five). Of course, when we changed the logo from blue to white, it also meant that there was not much royal blue left in the uniform, mostly a small stripe on the pants, so a couple of years later the jersey was re-designed, with a blue shoulder for emphasis. But the orange, blue and white became how the Broncos were identified, and it was great to see the team gain such an identity of its own.”
So, for the record, the Denver Broncos have worn six helmets in regular season play:
In 1960-61 the seal brown helmet with a white numeral on each side.
In 1962, first five games, orange helmet (basically, a Tennessee orange) with royal blue bucking caricature horse logo.
From game six of 1962 through 1966, that same orange helmet with white bucking caricature horse logo.
In 1967 the Broncos wore the new royal blue helmet, with no logo at all.
From 1968-96 the Broncos wore the royal blue helmet with the familiar “D” and snorting Bronco.
From 1997 to the present the Broncos continue to wear the navy blue helmet with the current Bronco logo.
And one final, final note on 1962.
Ring of Fame wide receiver Lionel Taylor did not like to have a horse’s tail on his helmet, whether blue or white.
“I don’t know why I had such a phobia about that tail, but I just did”, Taylor said recently-and so every week Ronnie Bill would affix new logos to Taylor’s helmet, and every Sunday morning Lionel Taylor carefully peeled back the logos just enough to cut off the tails!
And that’s another horse tail, true and confirmed by those who lived it, back in the day.
Tags: Jim Saccomano
Couldn’t you think of a better way to spend your time? Or at least a shorter way to write this article. I got half way through and nearly fell asleep, so i skipped to the end LoL. I’m just messin with ya JIM. I like your posts But with everything else going on, you prolly should of posted this during the lockout.
Well, I’m glad you cleared that up.
It’s been bothering me since I was 8 years old in 1962, LOL.
Bay – are you going to “publish” a list of all season predictions after the deadline has passed – it would give us (1) the assurance that you have our prediction, and (2) a feel for how many others have picked as we have … after all, there are really only about 5 or 6 guesses to choose from, so there will be lots of others who pick as we did … I know it’s a lot of work, but you never seem to shy away from that “nasty” word …
I usually just post the breakdown just in numbers after they are all in, like 16 bloggers picked 7-9 by example, and then give credit to the ones who are closest at year end by name and of course make fun of the ones who had no clue.
You have to keep in mind starting next week I will be real busy for the next 17 weeks with the weekly score prediction contest so I’ll probably keep doing it the way I have, will see, I might be bored one day and oblige you.
In ’62 I had graduated from college (Iowa U) and was working my first job in CA … I had lived in Denver in ’58 (pre-Broncos) and moved back in ’65, when I really became a Bronco fan … Denver was (and is) a GREAT city … my oldest son still lives in Golden … I’ve never been able to shake the Bronco bug – it kinda gets under your skin … can’t imagine rooting for any other team … mostly I root for whoever is playing the Chargers and Raiders … my stepson is a HUGE Raider fan – he used to really get on me … not so much lately … his old “room” had nothing but Raider memorabelia … drove me nuts … but he did get me a signed Elway wall plaque for Christmas a few years ago, so he’s not all bad … anyway, Bronco football really occupies a lot of my thoughts, and I’m sure I’m not alone, certainly among those of you who contribute here … so – let’s have a REALLY GREAT SEASON … GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can give you the breakdown of the Bronco fans’ pulse after the first day of entries:
Already 26 entries!!!
1 entry for 5-11
2 6-10
5 7-9
3 8-8
1 8-7-1
6 9-7
5 10-6
3 11-5
Jim. Great article. However, the coffee cup I drank out of this morning has the history of the Broncos uniforms on it. The blue horse is not represented there. Nor is the “logo-less” ’67 uni. Should I feel slighted? Should I throw the cup away for it’s lack of authenticity? Just kidding of course. I’ll treasure it as long as it holds coffee. Thanks for preserving the history. What’s the latest on a change to orange jerseys on a permanant basis?
bay I’ll enter a 6-10 for mine.
This time of year is always the same … every team is 0 – 0, and optimism prevails … I remember being back in Denver for my son’s wedding, and the Broncos were playing a preseason game, and some guy named Terrell Davis was running the ball on TV … wondered who this amazing rookie was … always something to get hyped up about … this year it’s Von Miller, and maybe TE Thomas … and surely Rahim Moore … always someone … then, when things go downhill, that horrible feeling in your gut … remember our 6 – 0 start 2 years ago? – we were all in disbelief, I’m sure … waiting for the “other shoe” to drop … well – it sure did … most pro football fans learn to only put one hand on the bandwagon, just to be safe … anyway – have a great season, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m surprised you haven’t gotten any for 0-16 or 16-0. Seems like there are always the outliers roaming these bogs from time to time LOL!
Thanks, Bay … it’s more fun to see those statistics, and know where you stand … I’m having a hard time wondering who those “nuts” are who picked anything over 8 – 8 … ha – just kidding … wish I shared THAT optimism …
Can you imagine thinking we’re going to go something like 2 – 14?? … what agony … I think my stepson has given up on his Raiders … he’s not the same guy any more … weeks go by, and he never mentions them … I hope it never comes to that …
WieminCA: At least there might be a good chance that one time this season he might be able to throw it in your face LOL! Lets just hope it isn’t on the MNF opener. Haha…
Haha, nasty!
I predict 6-10. (after starting 3-0). LOL.
Enjoyed your story Jim., entertaining as usual. I know what happened to a few of those horses tails Lionel Taylor cut off, they post here regularly on this board! LOL Go Broncos!
I know this is totally off subject,but I think it’s pretty pathetic for the Dolphins to use Tebow and the Gators to sell tickets to their game with us,might just be me,but c’mon man!
Tebow is a Denver Bronco now!!!
I also agree BeastFromEast92. I guess that goes to show you that there aren’t that many Dohpins fans who openly support their team. Or maybe the population down there has better things to spend their money on instead of football. LOL!
Thank you, Mr. Saccomano, for your research on this information about the early 1962 helmet. Alot of people at a different uniform-related site have had the ongoing debate for quite some time as to the color of the dark horse, with the majority of people accepting that it was brown, except for one lone hold-out who insisted it was blue because he remembered it. You vindicated him! Thanks again!
Hey bay im new at this, but i will go on the edge and say 9-7. With a better defense last yr we could of won at least 3 or 4 more. Now how does the wkly score work?
COMPLETE Denver Broncos Helmet History
Present
I don’t think it is going to let me cut and paste this but I collect the ALL the BRONCOS helmets over the years and had all the pictures colors and variations over the years:
1960 Pre-Season
1960 – 1961
1962 Pre-Season
1962 (First Four Games)
1962 – 1964
1965
1966
1967
1968-1974
1975-1976
1977-1991
1994 Special Throwback
1992-1996
1997-1998
1999-2001
2002-Present
LET JUST SAY there were a bunch of suttle changes over the years!!!
By the way does any one have the true Orange and Blue from 1977 – 1991???
The only one I could find and buy had more of a red and blue from the 1975-1976 time frame.
Anyway it’s a hobby of mine and I wsh I could get you all of these pictures!!! SORRY
I would be happy to Email it to everyone, but that just opens up a can of worms I’m not willing to open!!! LOL
It kind of lame I can’t find the one I was liked the very most!!! The Orange and Blue one with the “D” that we had the entire eighty!!! LOL
With the whole Tebow thing in Florida, as pathetic as it may be, I like it. Mainly, I am in favor of the plan because if we let Tebow play more than usual in that game, it may be like playing with a home-field advantage, since all the Florida Tebow fans will be packing the stadium to cheer him on. LOL
I think we will be better than last year but the schedule is tough. I predict we go 6-9-1.
It is kind of funny and kind of DUMB of me, but I read the entire arcticle after I posted:
Basically there are four MAIN variations of DENVER BRONCO HELMETS, HOWEVER there are suttle difference between many of the early ones and color variations over the years. Especially 65, 66, and 67.
*** Mr. Saccomano,
If you would like to reach me by Email or phone let me know and I can give you the information I have. And I have further questions about various helmets and colors. THANKS
*You can find me and my info (if I’m not mistaken on the “BRONCO COUNTRY” information that you should have access too)* THANKS AGAIN I enjoyed the article and the insights!*
millertime2, check in on Monday AM, I will have the whole weekly score prediction contest lined out.
Haha, Ive used micro film before, not a fan. longest day of my life going through like 10 years of articles lol
Great Post Jim, After starting off with “This blog is a result of my lengthy research project” … I just knew i hard to read it if you put in all that work lol. I studied PR in college, so as a result I always enjoy reading what you have to say. At 22, when I read all this stuff I realize how young I really am lol. Heck my father was only 8 at the time of the blue or brown horse controversy. It was a lengthy but great read, especially the process u used to find out the information.
It must be pretty great to either know or talk to people who were involved with the broncos back then (you’ve earn your stripes too) and they remember things so clearly lol. All I can hope is that my memory remains that great when I get up there … It feels almost sureal that like 40 years from now Ill be like … “man I remember those 2 horrible years under McDaniels, when we made a change from our only Superbowl winning coach shannahan, The Tebow mania (as young folk look at me like, what the heck is a Tebow lol, Hopefully he becomes a Bronco legend not just a media legend), Hiring of fox and the hopes for the season.” — by then hopefully we woulda won a lot more Superbowls than the 2 Shanny led us to. TRB
Funny, your dad and I were both 8 in 1962.
But Wiemin had already graduated, LOL, that makes me feel better…
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d821ce69b/article/season-predictions-our-experts-make-their-picks?module=HP11_cp
Bucky Brooks the only one to pick our Von Miller for DROY. Everyone had different thoughts for DROY but OROY goes to Julio Jones … and I agree.
Later days, TRB
Not one of seven writers could agree on the same guy for defensive rookie of the year!!! Must of been a good D draft, haha.
Haha, when i read that Weimin had already graduated college i was like WHOAAAAAAAAAAA lol. Actually bay, im embarrased to say I got my dads Birth year wrong. Its my mom that was 8, my dad was 11 lol. but it is kinda crazy how u are basically same age as my parents lol, now I feel wierd having convos with you LOL j/k … Weimin is probably same age as my grandfather lol TRB
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d821d5635/Ultimate-WR-Dynamic?module=HP11_content_stream
Blloyd Wins, Ultimate WR: Dynamic
CJ won, Ultimate RB: Speed
Hillis I believe won, Ultimate RB: Strength
Larry Fitz seems to have won “The Hands” – Ultimate WR … Blloyd talks in that vid.
I believe he is 73 and a pretty active man, tells us of playing ball still.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150346765296318.392441.129494626317&type=1
for the non FB crew … pics from todays practice. this should take you to the gallery. Im sure a blog will be up soon. TRB
http://dbron.co/a7
even better its on the site …
Read the comments by the girls about you know who at the bottom of those practice pics, it’s hilarious.
The facebook ones
Haha, yea the ladies sure love TT … and Quinn lol
http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Preseason-Wk-4—Tuesday-Fox/5907e1b3-9acd-4599-b056-d474bd4be80a
Fox talking today
asked where is Tim like a million and 1 times lol
Doom held out of practice with a groing strain, about the last thing I like to hear, Doom needs to be free of pain in the groin area to make the moves he makes to get to QBs, just as we were talking earlier about the lack of quality depth we got, hopefully it’s nothing.
groing, haha.
That reminds me I remember seeing Moreno hunched over at the end of the last game holding his groin area, wonder what that was since I don’t remember an injury report on him.
Me neither … Im sure Doom is fine … at least i hope he is. Either way I am sure the Broncos are gonna do their best to make sure they don’t lose Doom again. He is core to our D … especially in Fox’s scheme … not to mention he aint played since that big contract lol … ear you money big boi. TRB
Bay,
9-7 & Afc West Champs!
Yikes, Scouts Inc. Has the Broncos at 4-12 for this year. Last in the division. Am I just a huge Broncos Homer to think they can split all their division games, and win 5 home games and take the Titans in Tennessee? Man, 4-12, I don’t think I can stomach that one again. I’m naturally a “Glass half-full” guy anyways.
http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/31352/scouts-inc-s-afc-west-projections
Cool video of Knowshon trying to improve his durability. Last two years he’s wore down, let’s see if this will have an effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BclDoaf35oI&utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=socialmedia
As long as we keep Tebow off the field I believe we can go 10-6….the defense is vastly improved, but the injury bug is biting yet again….I personally do’t like the receiving core, but if they remain serviceable we will be fine….howver if Orton goes down or they succumb to the Tebow pressure…HELLO ANDREW LUCK, although I think we will still be better than the Seahawks….they really look terrible.