Denver Broncos Add Long Overdue Players and Head Coach To Ring of Fame

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday announced their newest members of the Ring of Fame and for all three the honor was long overdue.

Halfback/kicker Gene Mingo, wide receiver Rick Upchurch and head coach Dan Reeves were elected by the Broncos' Ring of Fame selection committee during their annual meeting. The induction ceremony will be at halftime of the Broncos week two game - the Kansas City Chiefs on September 14.

“(Owner) Pat Bowlen and the Broncos are very proud of their tradition and alumni, and we are thrilled with the election of Gene Mingo, Rick Upchurch and Dan Reeves into the Ring of Fame,” Broncos President Joe Ellis said. “They played a key role in three important eras of Denver Broncos history and are most deserving of this prestigious honor.

“Our organization looks forward to honoring Gene, Rick and Coach Reeves as we celebrate their distinguished and lasting contributions to the Denver Broncos.”

Gene Mingo becomes the fourth original member of the American Football League Denver Broncos in 1960 to be inducted (Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin, Lionel Taylor and Frank Tripucka). The first African-American kicker, Mingo also played running back and returned punts for the Broncos from 1960-1964. He scored the first AFL punt return for a touchdown that also won the game for the Broncos in the AFL's first game against the Buffalo Bills. Mingo also led the AFL in scoring in 1960 and 1962.

"I didn't know that I was a pioneer," said Mingo. "I knew that the man upstairs gave me an opportunity to kick field goals and I took advantage of it. I will never forget (former trainer) Fred Posey coming up to me after he got the kicking shoe that (coach) Frank Filchock had told him to get me. And he said, 'Gene, you're one lucky son of a so-and-so.' He said, 'They were going to cut you this weekend and you kicking field goals saved you a job."

Rick Upchurch played for the Denver Broncos his entire career from 1975-1983. Upchurch was drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round as their 95th overall pick in the 1975 NFL draft. Upchurch broke in as a wide receiver on a team that was beginning to gain recognition as the "Orange Crush" defense. Upchurch went to four Pro Bowls ('76,'78,'79,'82), named first-team All-Pro three times ('76,'78,'82), and named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1970's and 1980's as a kick returner and upon retirement in 1983 his eight punt returns for a touchdown tied the NFL record.

For all of his accomplishments it still took 30 years to be in the Ring of Fame.

"To look and feel slighted, I really didn't feel that way or looked at it," Upchurch said. "I often looked at statistics and wondered why it took so long for me to get there when you look at everyone else's statistics, but once again I don't have control of that."

Dan Reeves is the first Broncos head coach to be inducted into the Ring of Fame. He coached the Broncos from 1981-1992 and compiled a record of 110-73-1, ranking second behind Mike Shanahan. During his tenure the Broncos suffered a losing season only twice, once during the strike shortened 1982 season.

In his 12 seasons he directed the Broncos to five division titles ('84, '86, '87, '89, '91) four AFC championship games ('86, '87, '89, '91) and three Super Bowl appearances ('86, '87, '89).

Reeves was often criticized for his conservative ground and pound offense and how he utilized quarterback John Elway. Reeves and Elway had a well publicized feud that culminated in their meeting on opposite sides during Super Bowl XXXIII when the Broncos played the Reeves coached Atlanta Falcons. Since then the two patched up their differences and Reeves was in attendance at Elways' induction into the NFL Hall of Fame. Now Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager of the Broncos, Elway had nothing but kind words for his old coach.

“I congratulate Dan Reeves on being named to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame," Elway said. "Dan won a tremendous amount of football games as head coach of Broncos. We had an opportunity to experience three Super Bowls in a four-year period and enjoyed a lot of success as a team. I have great deal of appreciation for what Dan helped us achieve.

“He’s a great football coach and is very deserving of this honor. I’m happy for Dan and his family, and I’m looking forward to his induction into the Ring of Fame.”

The Ring of Fame was established by Bowlen in 1984 to honor former players and administrators. The ring is displayed on the facade of Level V at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. There is also a Ring of Fame Plaza that sits outside the stadium and contains monuments bearing the likeness of the ring members. There are now 27 members of the Ring of Fame.

Denver Broncos Ring of Fame Members:

Lionel Taylor (1984)

Floyd Little (1984)

Rich Jackson (1984)

Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin (1984)

Gerald H. Phipps (1985)

Frank Tripucka (1986)

Paul Smith (1986)

Charley Johnson (1986)

Billy Thompson (1987)

Jim Turner (1988)

Haven Moses (1988)