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, in 1968 became the first black quarterback to start a modern-era Professional Football game, paving the way not only for James Harris in the AFL the following year, but for such future Pro Football stars as Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon, Daunte Culpepper, Doug Williams, Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and every other black to earn a living under center since.
Briscoe, a 14th-round draft choice, demanded a three-day trial at quarterback before signing to play, ostensibly in the Bronco defensive secondary.
Ultimately, he started five games at quarterback, going 2-3 for Denver, after starter Steve Tensi went down with injury and his backups proved ineffective.

and became a starter by the middle of his rookie season. He wonAll-AFL honors in 1964 and played in the, recording 9 interceptions for 144 yards. He was also an for the Broncos in 1965.
In 1967, Brown was traded to the AFL'sOakland Raiders, and would spend the remainder of his AFL career there, serving as defensive captain. At Oakland, he was named to 3 more games. He was also named 3 times.
He is a member of theAmerican Football League All-Time Team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame onJuly 28,1984, his first year of eligibility. In 1999, he was ranked number 50 onThe Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, making him the highest-ranking Raider player.

but was cut during training camp. On the 2009Showtime seriesFull Color Football: The History of the American Football League, George Blanda tells this story:"Willie couldn't cover Charley Hennigan in practice, so he was let go, and the Broncos picked him up. The next season, we played Denver in the last game, and Charley needed nine catches to break Lionel Taylor's record of 100 receptions in a season. Charley got the nine he needed, with Willie covering him. Willie's in the Hall of Fame. Charley Hennigan should be, too."

game after the 1964 season, in an early civil rights victory for black athletes. He was an AFL All-Star with the Bills in 1962, 1963, and 1964. He was traded to the Broncos on 1965. George Saimes relates that while Gilchrist was negotiating with Broncos personnel man Fred Gehrke, Cookie balked at signing the contract, saying he would not do so unless the Broncos also signed Willie Ross, who had been his backup at Buffalo. When Gehrke balked, Gilchruist said"You don't understand - Ross practices for me, and I play in the games!"
At Denver, Cookie continued his excellence, earning and honors and rushing for 954 yards. He also played for the Miami Dolphins in 1966 and finished his AFL career in Denver in 1967. In 1970, he was selected as the fullback on the . players of all time. Cookie was theonly former AFL player to receive this honor. In 2007, he was fighting and winning a battle against throat cancer.

was the original Denver Bronco, the first player selected for the team in the 1960 season.

in 1960, 1962 and 1963. His amazing durablity and toughness enabled him to start 61 consecutive games at one point in his career.
A six-time , Gonsoulin was selected to the second team,All-Time All-AFL. Gonsoulin was also the captain of his college team at Baylor.

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; in 1975 he was voted to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame; and in 1984, he was inducted into the Denver Broncos'Ring of Fame.

and a member of theCollege Football Hall of Fame, Floyd Little was known simply as "The Franchise" in Denver, where he was the first No. 1 draft pick to sign with the Broncos. He was the sixth selection of the 1967 draft. Legend has it that he was "fired" by coach Lou Saban after a fumble that led to a a late-game lead for the Buffalo Bills' in 1968. Little, after refusing to leave the huddle, asked QB Marlon Briscoe to "throw the ball as far as you can and I'll catch it." Briscoe threw it, Little caught it, and the Broncos kicked a winning field goal. Little was an AFL All-Star in 1968 and 1969. He is a charter member of the Broncos'Ring of Fame,

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both years. He also holds the franchise record for the longest touchdown run, an 82-yarder against the Raiders in 1961.
After years of being neglected by the Broncos' brass, in 2014, Gene Mingo was finally given an honor that should have come years earlier - enshrinement in the team'sRing of Honor.

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