Just about anyone who lives their dream of playing in the National Football League develops another dream of one day ending up enshrined in the league’s Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. For 15 players, that dream is growing ever closer to becoming a reality.
Now, you would think that such a decorated franchise as the Denver Broncos would have a multitude of talent with their busts already within the walls, but in fact, Denver only has four: John Elway, Gary Zimmerman, Floyd Little, and Shannon Sharpe. There are a few others that have Broncos ties but did decide to join the ranks wearing different colors.
With that being said, 2016 recognizes three players whose lasting impact on the Broncos and the National Football League have made them finalists to join the elite and forever call “Hall of Famers.”
RB Terrell Davis (1995-2001)
Denver’s all-time leading rusher and part of the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 1990’s, Terrell Davis spent his entire career wearing the Orange & Blue and is widely considered the greatest running back to ever suit up for the Mile High Crew.
After being drafted in the sixth round out of the University of Georgia in 1995, he quickly became a household name. No. 30 was a three-time Pro-Bowl selection and Super Bowl XXXII MVP while also bringing home offensive player of the year awards in 1996 and 1998.
The most impressive stat line in his historic run was in 1998; Davis became just the fourth running back in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season with 2,008 and a league leading 21 touchdowns.
S John Lynch (2004-2007)
Safety John Lynch was not a long-time member of the Broncos’ organization but did have a lasting impact the few years he was a member of the defense. No. 43 was a Pro-Bowler every year he wore Orange & Blue.
Lynch, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Stanford back in 1993, spent 15 years playing in the league and won his only Super Bowl in 2002 while playing in Tampa. The nine-time Pro-Bowl selection can now be seen doing color commentary for FOX Sports.
S Brian Dawkins (2009-2011)
Like fellow safety Lynch, Brian Dawkins did not spend a lot of time in Denver but did make a lasting impact.
Nicknamed “Weapon X,” Dawkins was a hard-hitting safety out of Clemson University who holds the record for the Philadelphia Eagles in total games played and led Philly to eight playoff appearances and their lone Super Bowl back in 2005.
During the three years spent with Denver, No. 20 had three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two Pro-Bowl selections.
Honorable mention
S Ty Law (2009)
Safety Ty Law was the cornerstone in what would become a Patriots’ dynasty in the early 2000’s. Law made the Pro-Bowl with five separate teams and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy three times in his storied career.
Law wore No. 26 while in Orange & Blue and spent his final season here in Denver.
