By Jordan Long
The Denver Broncos have announced who will be headed to their Ring of Fame. The Ring of Fame is the Denver Broncos’ franchise Hall of Fame. The name to be there comes at no surprise, former Head Coach Mike Shanahan.
Shanahan took over the Denver Broncos for the 1995 season. Denver had just let go of Wade Phillips who went 16-17 as Head Coach. The Broncos were hoping Shanahan could turn the team into a winner. In 1995 Denver ended 8-8 and missed the playoffs. The next season, the Broncos finished 13-3. They were the number 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs. They were supposed to waltz all the way to New Orleans for Super Bowl 31. In the divisional round, Jacksonville ruined the party with the final score of 30-27 which was one of the toughest defeats in Broncos’ playoff history.
In 1997, Denver was 12-4 and reached the postseason. They were the Wild Card team that year and ended up winning the Super Bowl giving the franchise their first ever Super Bowl. Denver defeated Green Bay 31-24. They ended up taking home another Super Bowl the next year by beating Atlanta 34-19.
After that season, quarterback John Elway retired. It took Shanahan until 2005 to win another playoff game. The Broncos wouldn’t reach the Super Bowl with Shanahan again but managed to advance to the AFC Championship game in 2005 only to be knocked off by the Pittsburg Steelers.
The last year Shanahan coached the Broncos was in 2008. Heading into week 15, Denver looked primed for another playoff appearance. They were 8-5 at the time. Unfortunately, they lost the last 3 games to wind up 8-8. On December 30th, 2008, Denver fired Shanahan, ending 14 years with him as Head Coach.
Shanahan closed his Broncos career with a record of 138-86 in the regular season. The Broncos reached the playoffs 7 times while winning 2 Super Bowls. He won 8 playoff games. His 138 wins in the regular season and 8 in the playoffs is number 1 in franchise history.
According to Nfl.com, President and CEO of the Denver Broncos Joe Ellis said, “Mike Shanahan is the greatest coach in Denver Broncos history and among the winningest coaches of all-time. He brought an unmatched standard and intensity as head coach, leading this franchise to its first two Super Bowl wins and building the Broncos into perennial contenders. Few coaches have had more of an impact with one organization – as both a head coach and assistant – than Mike Shanahan over the course of his two decades with the Broncos. We are thrilled that Mike has now been elected to the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. Although postponing his induction was a difficult decision, he deserves a full celebration in front of all of our fans and distinguished alumni. Along with our fans, we can’t wait to honor Coach Shanahan during our Ring of Fame and alumni weekend in 2021.”
This is a great accomplishment for Shanahan. He deserves to be in the Broncos Ring of Fame as one of the best coaches in Broncos’ history. This should have occurred a long time ago but it’s better late than never. Shanahan will always be remembered as one the top coaches to coach in the Mile High City as well as winning the first two Super Bowls. Next up for him needs to be the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Shanahan proved he was one of the best coaches in NFL History.
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