Did You Know?

The Denver Broncos announced this week that Shannon Sharpe would be inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame. I looked up the history of this team tradition and found it interesting. Currently the Broncos have 21 former players inducted into this elite group. The list is impressive to say the least: Terrell Davis -1995-2002 Steve Atwater -1989-1998 Gary Zimmerman -1993-1997 Karl Mecklenburg -1983-1994 Dennis Smith -1981-1994 John Elway -1983-1998 Louis Wright -1975-1986 Tom Jackson -1973-1986 Randy Gradishar -1974-1983 Craig Morton -1977-1982 Haven Moses -1972-1981 Jim Turner -1971-1979 Billy Thompson -1969-1981 Frank Tripucka -1960-1963 Charley Johnson -1972-1975 owner Gerald Phipps -1961-1981 Floyd Little -1967-1975 Rich Jackson -1967-1972 Lionel Taylor -1960-1966 Austin Gonsoulin -1960-1966 Each inductee must wait five years after departing from the team to be eligible for the ring. The one exception was John Elway who was inducted in 1999, just one year after his retirement. All Ring of Fame members will actually receive a ring. A constellation prize for many of the ex-Broncos players who went to the Super Bowl and lost or for those who never even made it to the playoffs. Shannon Sharpe will become the 22nd member of the ring during the Broncos home opener against Cleveland on Sept. 20. Lets hope that the Pro Football Hall of Fame will soon follow suit as well.