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Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #9

 

 

In continuation of the Denver Broncos by the numbers series, we embark into new territory. Going where no man has gone bef...No wait, wrong story. But seriously, John has tried to sustain this project in the past and other things have forced this edition to the back shelf. Because of the labor war and the scarcity of news, we (the staff) are determined to press onward. And so, we come to #9 in the series.


The Candidates:

David Treadwell K 1989-92
Brady Quinn QB  2010-present

Even though there are two players contesting for this accolade, there is one clear choice here.

The Greatest Denver Broncos Player To Wear #9 Is...


David Treadwell K


 

Brady Quinn was the 22nd overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played in 14 games over 2 seasons before being traded to the Denver Broncos on March 14, 2010. The Broncos in return, gave up RB Peyton Hillis, a 6th round pick in the 2011 Draft and a conditional late-round pick in the 2012 Draft. Quinn competed in Training Camp last year and  began the season as the 3rd string quarterback and did not play in any game in 2010.

That is what makes this a simple decision. Quinn hasn't played a regular season game for the Broncos, but Treadwell has, and he has had an impact for the Broncos.

David Treadwell came out of Clemson University where he was a walk on kicker. He played for the Tigers from 1984 to 1987, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

That experience of being a walk on helped him, even when he failed in his first tryout with the Denver Broncos in 1988. He agreed to a deal with the Phoenix Cardinals, but got traded before training camp in 1989. 


In an article from 2003, David said:


 

"I felt after my first tryout in Denver back in 1988, that I could make it in the NFL. I actually benefited from the year out of football. I worked out, getting bigger and stronger. I elected to sign with Phoenix, as I thought I could win the job. However, Dan Reeves must have seen something in me that he liked the summer before, because he traded to get me back. He gave me the opportunity to go to camp and win the job. I was an accurate kicker. Coach Reeves wants his offense to at least put some type of points on the board when they get the ball. He still runs his offense that way down in Atlanta."


 

Serving as the Broncos kicker from 1989-92, Treadwell made 99 of 127 field goals tries (78%) during his four seasons in Denver. After his stop in the Mile High City, he spent two years with the New York Giants where he made 36 of 48 of his Field Goals for a 75% average. An accurate kicker, Treadwell made 182 of 188 extra point tries during his six-year NFL career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following his rookie season and also to the All-Rookie Team.


His best year in the league was his rookie season, where he was 39/40 on PAT's and 27/33 (81.8%) on Field Goals with a long of 46 yards, including a 42-yard field goal in Super Bowl XXIV. He was chosen to the Pro Bowl and made the NFL All-Rookie team as a member of the Denver Broncos. Five years into his career he was the third most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history. 

Treadwell was more accurate than strong-legged though. His career long was 49 yards in 1990. Because of that and a rulebook change, David's term in the NFL came to an end. In 1994, the NFL owners approved a change to the kickoff rule that moved the ball back five yards from the 35 yard line to the 30 yard line.


"When they moved the kickoffs back to the 30-yard line, that hurt me," said Treadwell. "Those extra five yards were too much for me. I couldn't get the kickoffs as deep as the coaches wanted. I was still accurate, but a team couldn’t afford to carry two kickers and a punter. That's what put me out of pro football."

After he retired, David went to Law school at the University of Denver. Then he practiced law for a couple of years. He was also part of the campaign that lobbied for a new stadium in Denver. After that, he became a sports talk show host at Denver-based Clear Channel corporation stations KOA and KTLK before moving to Denver's KDVR-TV (Fox 31) as sports director and anchorman.

For his service as a member of the Denver Broncos, MHR acknowledges David Treadwell with a Mile High Salute.

Go Broncos!