Latest news with #RingofFame
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Broncos star WR Lionel Taylor, an original Ring of Fame member, dies at 89
Former Denver Broncos star Lionel Taylor, an original member of the franchise and an inductee into their Ring of Fame, died earlier this month, the team announced on Wednesday afternoon. He was 89. Taylor's family confirmed that he died on Aug. 6. Taylor spent seven seasons playing for the Broncos, including in 1960 during their first season in the brand new AFL. He was playing semi-pro football after a run in college, and he spent his first season professionally with the Chicago Bears as a linebacker in 1959. Taylor led the AFL in receiving in five of his first six seasons there, and he racked up 100 receptions during the 1961 campaign. That marked the first time in either NFL or AFL history that a player had hit that mark, and that record stood until 2000. Taylor spent two seasons with the Houston Oilers before retiring after the 1968 campaign. He had four seasons with at least 1,100 receiving yards and finished his career with 7,195 yards and 45 touchdowns. He averaged 102.9 receiving yards per game in 1960, too, which is still the Broncos' franchise record. He's also fourth in team history in receptions and receiving yards. The Broncos inducted him into their Ring of Fame in 1984 as one of the four original members. After his playing career, Taylor started coaching and spent time as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns. He spent two seasons as the Rams' offensive coordinator, and is believed to be the first Black coach to be named a coordinator in the league. Taylor also worked as an assistant at Oregon State and served as Texas Southern's head coach from 1984-88. He wrapped up his coaching career with the London Monarchs, too. Taylor most recently lived near Albuquerque, New Mexico. "We all need role models in life, and fortunately, there was a Lionel Taylor there that I could look at and say, 'Yeah, this is possible,'" Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy said last year, via the Broncos. "I came in the league with Herm Edwards and Ray Rhodes, and we all became head coaches. It would not have happened without Lionel Taylor."
USA Today
08-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
6 Broncos greats who should go into the Ring of Fame next
6 Broncos greats who should go into the Ring of Fame next With the Denver Broncos' recent announcement of Demaryius Thomas going into the team's Ring of Fame, there should be some discussion of who should go into the Broncos Ring of Fame next. We take a look at the next five worthy candidates. Note that players must wait at least five years after retirement and have played for the Broncos for at least four seasons to be eligible. 1. Ed McCaffrey The former Broncos receiver was one of the toughest players in franchise history. One of the biggest surprises is that McCaffrey isn't in the Ring of Fame yet. As one of the primary pass-catchers for Denver during the Super Bowl-winning years in 1997 and 1998, McCaffrey played in Denver for nine years (1995-2003), recording 462 receptions for 6,200 yards and 46 touchdowns. The fact that he's produced an All-Pro running back as a son in Christian McCaffrey and is a Colorado lifer should say something as well. McCaffrey was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2022; the next logical space for McCaffrey should be on the Level 5 facade of Empower Field at Mile High. 2. Al Wilson Wilson played for the Broncos from 1999-2006, earning five Pro Bowl selections as well as first- (2005) and second-team (2006) All-Pro nods. His 723 tackles rank eighth on the team's all-time list. Wilson had a falling out with the team over the handling of a neck injury near the end of his career, but the two sides have since mended their relationship. He should now go into the club's Ring of Fame. 3. Von Miller While Miller is still an active player, there is no doubt that Miller will one day be a Ring of Famer, and very likely, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Miller is the Broncos' all-time leader in sacks (110.5) and was the MVP of Super Bowl 50, and he's a two-time Super Bowl champion. Miller was a Bronco for 10 seasons, and he will always be beloved in Denver. 4. Chris Harris Harris is a Broncos success story as an undrafted free agent. Harris defined the slot corner position for many years, and was one of the original anchors of the "No-Fly Zone" defense that helped Denver to a victory in Super Bowl 50. In nine seasons with the Broncos, Harris started 121 games, totaling 518 tackles (443 solo, 75 assisted), recovering four fumbles, forcing six fumbles, 86 pass deflections and intercepting 20 passes (including four returned for touchdowns). Harris was a Pat Bowlen player, one of the highest compliments one could receive. 5. Ryan Clady Clady was one of the offensive lineman mainstays for the Broncos from the time he was drafted out of Boise State (12th overall) in 2008 until 2014. Clady was the blindside protector for several Broncos quarterbacks (Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning), starting 106 games for Denver. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, Clady was named second runner-up for the 2008 AP Offensive Player of the Year, an award most linemen could never even dream about touching. Clady has been eligible for Ring of Fame status since 2021. 6. Matt Prater This one could be considered controversial. Prater is still an active kicker, and is an unrestricted free agent in 2025. Prater first came to the Broncos in 2007, playing for Denver from 2007-2014. Prater was an extremely reliable kicker during his time in Mile High, benefiting from the thin Colorado air. A two-time Pro Bowler, Prater is the current NFL leader in kicks attempted (487), extra points attempted (603) and extra points made (587). During the Broncos' historic offensive season in 2013, Prater set a then-NFL record with a 64-yard field goal. Prater's time in Denver came to an ignominious ending in 2014 when he was cut for a suspension from the NFL for abusing the league's substance abuse policy, but his time with the club was historic. He holds the NFL record for field goals made over 50 yards (81) and is fourth on the Broncos' all-time scoring list. Who else should be on this list, modern or classic? We'd love to hear from you on Facebook and Twitter/X! Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Epoch Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Broncos Will Honor Demaryius Thomas, Star Wide Receiver Who Died at 33
The Denver Broncos will induct Demaryius Thomas into the team's Ring of Fame this season. A first round draft pick of the Broncos in 2010, Thomas was a key contributor to the Broncos' success in the Peyton Manning era, and won Super Bowl 50 with the team. He is the franchise's second-leading receiver in yards and touchdowns. Thomas will be honored at the team's Week 7 matchup against the New York Giants in October.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Broncos will honor Demaryius Thomas and Super Bowl 50 team vs. Giants
After the late, great Demaryius Thomas was elected to the Denver Broncos' Ring of Fame on Tuesday, the team plans to honor DT -- and the entire Super Bowl 50 team -- this fall. This season marks the 10th anniversary of the club's 2015 campaign that ended with a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Members of that squad will return to Empower Field at Mile High to be honored in Week 7 when the Broncos host the New York Giants on Sunday, Oct. 19. Advertisement Denver will hold its annual Alumni Weekend around that Giants game, and Thomas will be officially inducted into the Ring of Fame at halftime of the AFC vs. NFC showdown. Thomas ranks No. 2 on the team's all-time receiving list for yards (9,055) and touchdowns (60), only trailing Rod Smith (11,389; 68). Thomas, who died of a seizure at age 33 in 2021, was a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion. DT was one of the best players in franchise history, and he will now be immortalized among the team's all-time greats. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: DT and Super Bowl 50 team will be honored in Week 7
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mother of Demaryius Thomas reacts to DT's Ring of Fame honor
Mother of Demaryius Thomas reacts to DT's Ring of Fame honor After her son was elected to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame on Tuesday, Katina Smith released the following statement on Demaryius Thomas through the team's official website: For Demaryius and our family, this is a dream come true. Like I told Mr. Greg Penner, one of the things D.T. always said was he didn't want to be forgotten when he was finished with the game. It wasn't just about football for him but how he wanted to be remembered as a person. This will make Demaryius' dream come true to be part of the prestigious Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. It's definitely going to be emotional and I am honored to represent him. I know D.T. is smiling in heaven with this exciting news that came out today. Thomas will be officially inducted into the team's Ring of Fame at halftime of a Week 7 game against the New York Giants this fall. The late, great wide receiver totaled 9,763 receiving yards and scored 63 touchdowns during a 10-year career in the NFL that was highlighted by a Super Bowl 50 victory with the Broncos in 2015. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
