Fourteen Bronco players have worn #58 in the history of the franchise. One Center and thirteen Linebackers, with one exception. Dominic Douglas, who was added to the practice squad in December, hasn't yet played a game for the Broncos. So here are the other lucky thirteen representing #58.
Nate Webster LB 2006-08
Terry Pierce LB 2003-04
Steve Russ LB 1997, ‘99-2000
Elijah Alexander LB 1992-95
Scott Curtis LB 1989-90
Tim Lucas LB 1987
Steve Busick LB 1981-85
Rob Nairne LB 1977-80
Phil Olsen C 1975-76
Tom Graham LB 1973-74
Bill McKoy LB 1970-72
Frank Richter LB 1967-69
Jack Work LB 1960
This is a picture of Jack Work. The Denver Broncos Media Guide states the Jack did his work at Linebacker and as you can see, this Fleer Football Card from 1960 shows him as a Halfback. This is the extent of the information that I could find on him. In other words, I don't know Jack about Work.
Frank Richter was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 7th round (165th overall) of the 1967 NFL Draft. he played 3 seasons in Denver, starting 11 of 34 games. Richter intercepted 2 passes and recovered 2 Fumbles.
Bill McKoy was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 5th round (115th overall) of the 1970 NFL Draft. He played the Middle Linebacker position on the Broncos from 1970-72. In those 3 seasons, McKoy started 9 of 30 games. He played one season with the San Francisco 49ers in 1974, his last year in the Pros.
Tom Graham was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 4th round (102nd overall) of the 1972 NFL Draft. He wore #83 in his rookie year and then made the switch to #58 for the 1973-74 seasons. Tom started 14 of 19 games in those 2 years and recovered one Fumble.
Phil Olsen was drafted by the Boston Patriots in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 1970 NFL Draft. He ended up playing for the Los Angeles Rams for 4 years before arriving in Denver in 1975. Phil started 5 of 27 games at Center for the Broncos from 1975-76 and he recovered 2 Fumbles.
Rob Nairne went Undrafted out of Oregon State. He signed on with the Broncos in 1977 and played Linebacker through the 1985 season. In those 4 years, Rob started 21 of 55 games, making one interception and recovering 2 Fumbles. He was also a member of the Broncos Super Bowl XII team.
Steve Busick was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 7th round (181st overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft. He started 47 of 73 games in 5 seasons at Right Inside Linebacker. Steve made 2 interceptions and recovered 4 Fumbles. Busick also played for the Los Angeles Rams (1986) and San Diego Chargers (1987).
Tim Lucas was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 10th round (269th overall) of the 1983 NFL Draft. He appeared on the scene in Denver for the 1987 season. Wearing #58, Tim started 3 of 11 games, making one interception, 2 Sacks and one Fumble Recovery. He switched to #59 for his remaining time in Denver. You will just have to wait another day for the rest of his story.
Scott Curtis played his rookie year with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988. He joined the Broncos in 1989 and played two seasons at Linebacker, starting 1 of 25 games. Scott also played in Super Bowl XXIV.
Steve Russ was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 7th round (218th overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft.He spent 4 seasons with the Broncos and was a part of Denver's 1997 and 1998 Super Bowl Championship teams. Under the direction of Head Coach Mike Shanahan and Defensive Coordinator Greg Robinson, the Broncos' defense was spectacular during the 1998 playoffs. Denver shutout the Miami Dolphins and held the New York Jets to a single touchdown before shutting out the Atlanta Falcons for three quarters in Super Bowl XXXIII. Steve played 24 games for the Broncos in 1997, 1999 and 2000 seasons. He began a coaching career in 1995 as a Graduate Assistant Strength Coach at the Air Force Academy (his Alma mater) before leaving for training camp with the Broncos. He is now in his 3rd season as an Assistant Coach at Wake Forest.
Terry Pierce was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2nd round (51st overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. He only played in 3 games during his Rookie year because of a torn pectoral muscle, landing him on Injured Reserve. The following year, Pierce was supposed to challenge for the starting SAM Linebacker spot with Donnie Spragan and Jashon Sykes. However, Terry sprained a Medial Collateral Ligament in the early preseason and lost his chance at the job. He recovered in time for the regular season opener, but played mostly on Special Teams and recorded 5 Tackles in 15 games. He was waived at the end of the 2005 pre-season. His totals: 18 games, 5 Tackles, one pass deflection and one Forced Fumble.
Nate Webster was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 3rd round (90th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played 4 years in Tampa Bay and 2 in Cincinnati before arriving in Denver as a Free Agent in 2006. He played from 2006-08 in the Mile High City. Webster won the starting Middle Linebacker job in 2008 and at of the end of the season became a Free Agent. In 3 seasons, he made 174 Tackles (losing his helmet 170 times), 2 Sacks, 4 pass deflections, 2 Forced Fumbles. Nate also recovered 2 Fumbles, returning both for touchdowns.
This one was a tough call. This number was represented by mediocrity for the most part and I'm sure there will be those who disagree, but in my opinion, the Greatest Bronco to wear #58 was...
Elijah Alexander
Elijah Alexander was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 10th round (254th overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie year with the Bucs and then came West to Denver in 1993. Alexander played 3 seasons (1992-95) as a Bronco, starting 24 of 41 games. He had 150 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 3 interceptions and one Fumble Recovery. He went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts (1996-1999) and the Oakland Raiders,retiring after the 2001 season. In 2005, Elijah was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (Bone Marrow Cancer). In 2006 he founded the Tackle Myeloma Foundation, which raises funds to help find a cure and raise awareness about myeloma. Alexander died at the age of 39 on March 24, 2010.
MHR posthumously gives a Mile High Salute to Elijah Alexander as the Greatest Bronco to wear #58.
Go Broncos!