Three Broncos To Be Inducted Into 'Ring Of Fame' Monday
DENVER (CBS4) - Three Denver Broncos greats will be inducted into the team's Ring of Fame during halftime of Monday night's game against the Houston Texans.
Kicker Jason Elam (1993-2007), linebacker Simon Fletcher (1985-95), and safety John Lynch (2004-07) will all be honored.
JASON ELAM
Elam played his first 15 seasons with the Broncos, and is the team's all-time leader in field goals (395) and points (1,786).
Behind former Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson, both numbers represent the second-highest totals in NFL history for any player with a single team.
Among Elam's other accolades, a 63-yard field goal against Jacksonville (10/25/98), that tied the NFL record, an NFL record 16 consecutive seasons with 100-plus points, and a streak of 263 consecutive games with a point, which was the second-longest streak in league history at the time he retired.
Elam was a member of the back-to-back 1997 and 1998 Super Bowl teams.
SIMON FLETCHER
Fletcher spent his entire career playing for the Broncos, finishing as the franchise's all-time sack leader with 97.5 quarterback takedowns.
He set a team record by appearing in 172 consecutive games, never missing one in his career, and is a member of the Broncos' 50th Anniversary Team.
By the time Fletcher hung up the cleats, he was tied for 13th on the NFL's all-time sacks list, had accounted for 851 career tackles, a pair of interceptions, and 21 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries.
Fletcher was a starter on three AFC Championship teams (1986, 1987, and 1989), totaling 42 tackles and 6 sacks in 12 postseason games.
JOHN LYNCH
Lynch played four seasons with the Broncos, being named to the Pro Bowl in each of them, a feat done by only five other Broncos players.
In total, between his time with the Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lynch was selected to 9 Pro Bowls, trailing only Hall of Famer Ken Houston (10) among safeties in league history.
In 2005, Lynch was a part of a Denver defense that allowed the fewest points per game (16.1) by the franchise in 14 years, which helped the team to a 13-3 record and the AFC West Division title.
Lynch will also be inducted into the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor later this year.
DENVER BRONCOS RING OF FAME
Name | Pos. | Yrs. w/Broncos | Year Inducted |
Jason Elam | K | 1993-2007 | 2016 |
Simon Fletcher | LB | 1985-95 | 2016 |
John Lynch | S | 2004-07 | 2016 |
Pat Bowlen | Owner | 1984-pres. | 2015 |
Dan Reeves | Coach | 1981-92 | 2014 |
Rick Upchurch | WR | 1975-83 | 2014 |
Gene Mingo | HB/K | 1960-64 | 2014 |
Tom Nalen | C | 1994-2008 | 2013 |
Rod Smith | WR | 1994-2007 | 2012 |
Shannon Sharpe | TE | 1990-99, 2002-03 | 2009 |
Terrell Davis | RB | 1995-2002 | 2007 |
Steve Atwater | S | 1989-98 | 2005 |
Gary Zimmerman | T | 1993-97 | 2003 |
Karl Mecklenburg | LB | 1983-94 | 2001 |
Dennis Smith | S | 1981-94 | 2001 |
John Elway | QB | 1983-98 | 1999 |
Louis Wright | CB | 1975-86 | 1993 |
Tom Jackson | LB | 1973-86 | 1992 |
Randy Gradishar | LB | 1974-83 | 1989 |
Craig Morton | QB | 1977-82 | 1988 |
Haven Moses | WR | 1972-81 | 1988 |
Jim Turner | K | 1971-79 | 1988 |
Billy Thompson | S | 1969-81 | 1987 |
Charley Johnson | QB | 1972-75 | 1986 |
Paul Smith | DT | 1968-78 | 1986 |
Frank Tripucka | QB | 1960-63 | 1986 |
Gerald H. Phipps | Owner | 1961-81 | 1985 |
Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin | S | 1960-66 | 1984 |
Rich Jackson | DE | 1967-72 | 1984 |
Floyd Little | RB | 1967-75 | 1984 |
Lionel Taylor | WR | 1960-66 | 1984 |