Ten Bronco players wore #60 in franchise history. Seven Offensive Guards, two Centers and a Defensive End. Here are the candidates considered.
John Engelberger DE 2005-08
K.C. Jones C 1998-2000
Joe Burch C 1994
Nick Subis G 1991
Gerald Perry G 1988-90
Paul Howard G 1973-75, ‘77-86
Bob Young G 1966-70
Ernie Park G 1967
Charlie Parker G 1965
Ken Adamson G 1960-62
Ken Adamson signed with the Broncos in 1960 as an Undrafted Free Agent out of Notre Dame. He started 32 games at Left Guard from 1960-62 and was an AFL 1st-Team All-Star in 1961. He now owns a Coors distributorship in Sacramento, California.
Charlie Parker was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 13th round (97th overall) of the 1964 AFL Draft and the Baltimore Colts in the 13th round (176th overall) of the 1964 NFL Draft. He appeared in 14 games for the Broncos in 1965.
Ernie Park was drafted by the Chargers in the 19th round (146th overall) of the 1963 AFL Draft. He played in San Diego for 3 years and the Dolphins for one before joining the Broncos in 1967. Park recovered two Fumbles that year. Ernie played one final season in his career in 1969, with the Bengals.
Bob Young was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 19th round (261st overall) of the 1964 NFL Draft. He joined the Broncos in 1966 and wore #77 as the starting Left Defensive End his first 2 seasons. Bob changed his jersey and his position for the next 4 seasons, donning #60 and moving to Right Guard. From 1968-70, Young started 33 of 42 games and recovered 2 Fumbles. Young went on to play 8 years with the St. Louis Cardinals in between 2 seasons with the Houston Oilers and ended his career with the New Orleans Saints in 1981. Bob made 2 Pro Bowl appearances (1978, 1979) and was named 1st-Team All-Pro in 1979.
Nick Subis was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 6th round (142nd overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. He appeared in all 16 games for the Broncos that year, his only season in the NFL.
Joe Burch was drafted in the 3rd round (90th overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, but never played in the NFL. Burch was an Arena League football player that was signed to the Broncos Practice Squad in 1994. He was promoted to the Active Roster for the Week 17 loss against the New Orleans Saints, but didn't play a snap.
Gerald Perry was drafted by the Broncos in the 2nd round (45th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played 3 seasons in Denver from 1988-90 starting 29 of 40 games, recovering one Fumble. Gerald started in Super Bowl XXIV for the Denver Broncos. On December 27, 1989 Perry was convicted of soliciting a prostitute, and was sentenced to 15 days imprisonment. Upon leaving the Broncos, he played for the Los Angeles Rams (1991-1992) and the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders (1993-1995).
John Engelberger was drafted by the 49ers in the 2nd round (35th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft.He played in San Francisco for 5 years before coming to Denver in 2005 in exchange for Willie Middlebrooks. In his first season with the Broncos, Engelberger played 14 regular-season games and contributed 24 tackles as a part of the NFL’s 2nd-best run defense (85.2 ypg). His numbers improved each year topping out in 2007, when John led the Broncos’ Defensive Line with 59 tackles, starting all but one game and recording one sack, two pass breakups and one Forced Fumble. John earned his teammate’s nomination for the Ed Block Courage Award by starting the final 12 games in 2007 despite suffering a 5th-degree separation of the AC joint in his right shoulder in Week 4. On February 16, 2009, the Broncos released Engelberger. He finished his career in Denver with a total of 119 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 5 pass deflections, 4 Forced Fumbles and one Fumble Recovery. John returned 2 kickoffs for 14 yards. He is currently a Free Agent.
K.C. Jones signed with the Broncos as a Rookie Free Agent from Miami in 1997. He missed two full seasons with injuries and then played in 16 games for the Broncos in 2000, all on Special Teams. He failed his pre-camp physical in 2001 and his injuries were so serious, Jones wasn't expect to re-join the team until the 2002-03 season. In June of 2002, the Broncos signed him once more, but released him for the final time 3 months later. K.C. has a Super Bowl Ring from the Broncos' 1998 season.
Because of his length of service, the Greatest Bronco to wear #60 is...
Paul Howard
Paul Howard was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 3rd round (54th overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft. He played his entire 13-year career in Denver from 1973-86 (excluding 1976). Paul started 147 of 187 games at Right Guard and had 2 Fumble Recoveries. Howard was selected by the fans to the 2nd team-offense in the top 50 all-time Broncos Team.
On Christmas Eve 1977, in the AFC Divisional Playoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Howard was punched in the stomach by Mean Joe Greene because the Pittsburgh Defensive Tackle was continually being held. The Broncos prevailed 34-21 and went on to Super Bowl XII.
MHR gives a Mile High Salute to Paul Howard as the Greatest Bronco to wear #60.
Go Broncos!
Go Broncos!