Sixteen players wore #73 for the Denver Broncos in franchise history. Guard Chris Kuper is going on his 6th year as the current player to wear the jersey. The fifteen other players are comprised by seven Tackles, five Defensive Ends, a Defensive Tackle, a Guard and a Linebacker. Here is the lineup.
Gordon "Gordy" Holz was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 23rd round (270th overall) of the 1955 NFL Draft. He started all 14 games at Left Tackle for the Broncos in 1960.
Walter Barnes was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 2nd round (21st overall) of the 1966 NFL Draft and the Kansas City Chiefs in the 3rd round (23rd overall) of the 1966 AFL Draft. Walt opted to play for the Redskins and stayed 3 seasons. He came to Denver in 1969 and played 3 years for the Broncos. Barnes appeared in 19 games from 1969-71.
Mike Askea was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 7th round (165th overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft. He played 4 games for the Broncos in 1973.
Stan Rogers was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 5th round (107th overall) of the 1975 NFL Draft. He started 2 of the 14 games at Right Tackle for the Broncos in 1975.
Martin Imhof was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 4th round (84th overall) of the 1972 NFL Draft. He jumped around from St.Louis, Washington and New England before making his way to the Mile High City. He played one game for the Broncos in 1976.
Kelvin Clark was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1st round (22nd overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft. He spent 3 seasons from 1979-81 as a reserve Right Tackle for the Broncos. Kelvin started 8 of 45 games during his time in Denver. He spent the next 4 seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Scott Adams was on the Broncos roster in 1997, but never dressed for a game. The Atlanta Falcons picked him up off waivers and he played in 6 games for them that year.
Cyron Brown went Undrafted out of Illinois. He played 2 seasons in Denver during 1998 and 1999. He appeared in 11 games and made 4 Tackles.
Chris Kuper was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 5th round (161st overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was inactive for the first 11 Weeks before playing on Special Teams in one game during his rookie year. In his 2nd year, Kuper played on Special Teams in the first 5 games before starting the final 11 at Left Guard. In 2008, Chris started all 16 games at Right Guard and was the only 16-game starting Guard in the NFL to not allow a sack according to Stats Inc. He helped the Broncos set a franchise record for fewest sacks allowed with 12. In 2009, he started the final 15 games of the year after missing the season opener at with an ankle injury. Last year, "Kupe" again missed the opener and then started the final 15 games. On June 4, 2010, the Broncos announced that they had signed Kuper to a 6 year deal worth $29 million. The team also announced that he had been selected as co-captain of the Broncos offense. Going into his 6th season, Chris has allowed just 11 sacks in 57 career starts (46 at Right Guard, 11 at Left Guard).
This is another easy choice. The Greatest Bronco to wear #73 is...
- Team leader in Sacks 7 consecutive years (1988-1994)
- 11+ Sacks 5 consecutive seasons (1989-1993)
- 20 Career Multi-Sack Games
- 172 Consecutive Games Played
- 140 Consecutive starts-2nd (Billy Thompson 156)
- Starter on 3 AFC Championship Teams (1986, 1987, 1989)
MHR gives a Mile High Salute to Simon Fletcher as the Greatest Bronco to wear #73.