When Did The Denver Broncos Become A Team

So, there I was, a wide-eyed kid in the 70s, watching my old man tinker with his newfangled color TV. He was trying to get the picture just right, you know, for the big game. "Which team are we rooting for, Dad?" I asked. He looked at me, puzzled, "The Broncos, son. We're from Denver, aren't we?" I thought to myself, "Broncos? Sounds like a horse, not a football team." Little did I know, that was the start of my lifelong love for the Denver Broncos.

Now, you might be wondering, when did these bronco-riding, orange-clad football heroes become a team? Well, buckle up, because we're about to take a little trip down memory lane.

Before the Broncos

Believe it or not, the Mile High City wasn't always home to the Broncos. In fact, the first professional football team in Denver was the Denver Bears, who played in the early 1900s. But they were a far cry from the Broncos we know today. They were part of the short-lived Rocky Mountain Football League, and they didn't last long. So, if you're looking for the true birth of the Broncos, we've got to skip ahead a few decades.

In the meantime, Denver football fans had to make do with college games and the occasional exhibition match. It must have been tough, but they were patient. After all, good things come to those who wait, right?

The American Football League (AFL)

Now, let's fast forward to 1959. The AFL was born, and with it, the Denver Broncos. They were one of the original eight teams in the league, and they were based right here in Denver. The Broncos' first game was on September 9, 1960, against the Boston Patriots. They lost, 13-10, but they were off and running.

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You might be thinking, "Wait a minute, I thought the Broncos were an NFL team." You're right, and that's where our story gets a bit more interesting.

The NFL Merger

The AFL and the NFL merged in 1970, and the Broncos became part of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the NFL. This was a big deal for Denver. It meant the Broncos were playing with the big boys, and it was a chance for the team to really make a name for itself.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing. The Broncos struggled in their early years in the NFL. They didn't have a winning season until 1973, and they didn't make it to the playoffs until 1977. But they were learning, growing, and building a fanbase that would stick with them through thick and thin.

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The John Elway Era

Then, in 1983, something magical happened. The Broncos drafted John Elway, and everything changed. Elway was a quarterback with a rocket arm and a heart of gold. He led the Broncos to five Super Bowls, winning back-to-back championships in 1997 and 1998. He became a Denver legend, and the Broncos became a force to be reckoned with.

And the rest, as they say, is history. The Denver Broncos have become more than just a football team. They're a symbol of our city, a source of pride, and a part of our collective identity. So, the next time you're cheering on the Broncos, remember, they've been a part of Denver's story since way back in 1959.

And hey, if you ever find yourself watching a game with a Denver native, don't be surprised if they start reminiscing about the good old days. After all, we've been bronco fans for a long time now. It's more than just a team, it's a tradition.