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The Candidates -
Jay Cutler, QB -- 2006-2008
Jason Baker, P/K -- 2004
Joe Nedney, K -- 2000
Bubby Brister, QB -- 1997-99
Ralph Giacommaro, P -- 1987
The list of players who wore the #6 sweater for the Denver Broncos is fairly short. Three Kicking specialists and two quarterbacks. It was easy to break down the entries from there. The quarterbacks always get the girl and one of them gets the nod here. Some may believe Jay Cutler, but I feel that Bubby Brister is the obvious choice here by virtue of the hardware he owns. Two Super Bowl Rings states the case rather well since that is the ultimate achievement.
The Greatest Denver Broncos Player To Wear #6 Is..
QB Bubby Brister
Walter Andrew "Bubby" Brister, III had a 14 year career as an NFL quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings. He played the bulk of his career in Pittsburgh, but he reliably backed up John Elway for three seasons as a Bronco.
Brister played briefly for the Eagles and Jets, but ended up sitting out the 1996 season. Mike Shanahan signed him after a tryout at the suggestion of Bill Romanowski, his former teammate in Philadelphia. Bubby became the #3 quarterback for the Broncos in 1997, backing up Elway and Jeff Lewis. The only action he saw that year was in a 38 - 3 blowout during week 17 against the San Diego Chargers.
The next season, Jeff Lewis lost the confidence of coach Shanahan, making Brister the number 2 quarterback. During the 1998 season, John Elway missed four games due to injury and Bubby started in relief. The Broncos went undefeated in all of his starts (5-0) and Brister registered a higher passer rating than Elway. He also broke John's team record for longest rushing touchdown by a quarterback (38 yds.). That mark was bested last year by Tim Tebow. He did make an appearance in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl XXXIII, taking a kneel down snap to finish off the Atlanta Falcons for the Broncos second consecutive Lombardi Trophy.
When Elway retired in 1999, Brister was summarily passed over for a starting spot that should have been his by Brian Griese and the Broncos released him after that season. During his three seasons with the Broncos, he was 96/160 for 1121 yards, a 60% Completion rate, 10 Touchdowns, 6 interceptions and an 86.5 QB rating.
Somewhat ironically, Bubby's greatest game as a quarterback came against the Broncos. On October 14, 1990, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Denver Broncos 34-17 and Brister was 21 of 28 for 353 yards and four touchdowns, three of them to rookie tight end Eric Green.
Drafted in the 3rd round of the NFL draft in 1986 by the Steelers, Bubby was known for a rocket arm, excellent mobility and ability to run for a first down when needed.
So a big MHR and Mile High Salute goes out to Bubby Brister.
He retired in 2001, finishing his career with a passing record of 1,207 completions in 2,212 attempts for 14,445 passing yards, 81 touchdowns and a 72.3 QB rating. Altogether, Brister played in three conference championship games and two Super Bowls.
So a big MHR and Mile High Salute goes out to Bubby Brister.
Go Broncos!