Dan Reeves, Denver Broncos Ring of Honor 2014

The wrong perceptions?

I was born in 1984. So many of my childhood memories can be traced back to football Sundays with Dad. My hero? John Elway of course. I think John was every Bronco fans' hero, child or otherwise. The 1980's brought forth an unprecedented era of success for the Denver Broncos Football Club. This success resides largely in the efforts of three men: Pat Bowlen who took over ownership in 1984, Dan Reeves who led the team from the sidelines from 1981 on, and John Elway-a once in a generation talent who became the face of the franchise.

If you're a younger Bronco fan unfamiliar with the Reeves era, you might know more about the acrimonious split this trio had in the early 1990's when Pat Bowlen ultimately chose to stay the course with John Elway and fire long-time Head Coach Dan Reeves. If this is what you know about the relationship, then you've also probably heard things like "Dan Reeves held John Elway back," or "Reeves never built the team around John Elway," or "John Elway was successful despite Dan Reeves' conservative play calling."

My dad used to do a Dan Reeves impersonation that would have us rolling on the floor with laughter. In that famous Southern drawl he would say "Run the ball John....run the ball up the middle John!" This is all you need to know about the perception Broncos fans had of Dan Reeves. He was the head man in charge, and for years he was responsible for stunting the football growth of John Elway.

This is the commentary that has survived.

Perceptions meet reality

Reeves coached during an era of other great head coaches. Some-who like Dan spent a long portion of time coaching one franchise, put up very similar numbers with one very noticeable exception:

Isn't it funny to think that the biggest difference between Bill Walsh and Dan Reeves are three Super Bowls? Put Dan Reeves in those shoes. If he and Elway get the job done, perhaps history looks at Dan Reeves and that so called "conservative offense" as fondly as history recalls the West Coast Offense?

Even without the Super Bowls, Dan Reeves coaching tenure in Denver is one of the best stretches of success in NFL History.

Ok, but Dan Reeves failed to put pieces around John Elway and build a team that could compete in the Super Bowl right?

During Dan Reeves coaching tenure in Denver, the Broncos fielded 47 pro-bowlers and 11 All-Pro selections.

The 1986 AFC Champion Denver Broncos featured Pro-Bowlers Keith Bishop, John Elway, Rulon Jones, Karl Mecklenburg, Dennis Smith, and Sammy Winder. Meckelenburg and Jones were also named to the All-Pro team.

A season later, the 1987 Denver Broncos featured Pro-Bowlers Keith Bishop, John Elway, and Karl Mecklenburg.

The final Reeves-led Super Bowl team featured Pro-Bowlers John Elway, Greg Kragan, Kark Mecklenburg, Dennis Smith, and David Treadwell with Meck earning All-Pro honors.

Denver had plenty of talent. For one reason or another, they just never put it together in the most important game of the season.

Let's name some of the players that played under coach Dan Reeves as a Denver Bronco:

Steve DeBerg, Craig Morton, Rick Upchurch, Steve Watson, Riley Odoms, Haven Moses, Dave Studdard, Dennis Smith, Steve Foley, Bob Swenson, Billy Thompson, Randy Gradishar, Rubin Carter, Barney Chavous, Rulon Jones, Louis Wright, Keith Bishop, Rick Dennison, Tom Jackson, Ken Lanier, Sammy Winder, Rich Karlis, Gary Kubiak, Karl Mecklenburg, Clarance Kay, Vance Johnson, Greg Kragen, Tony Lilly, Steve Sewell, Simon Fletcher, Mike Horan, Mark Jackson, Ricky Nattiel, Tyrone Braxton, Tony Lily, Mike Harden....

These are the best of the best, the cream of the crop, and I have no doubt missed some names. Do you think it's fair to prop up John Elway against Dan Reeves by sacrificing the contributions and Bronco careers of any of the men on this list?

It's time to move on from Elway vs. Reeves

It is an absolute shame that one of the greatest eras in Broncos history is defined by so much tension, disappointment, and failure.

The Elway/Reeves era never brought a championship to the Mile High City, but it is responsible for building the foundation upon which Pat Bowlen's Broncos have forged such a successful and winning culture. "Mile High Magic" was born in the 1980's and both these great men--Elway and Reeves were front and center creating it, working hand in hand as coach and quarterback. The break-up, as in life, was acrimonious at best. It doesn't change or alter the fact that the Denver Broncos were one of the most successful franchises of the decade.

When you look back at the Reeves and Elway led Broncos, it's easy to think about those beautiful throwback uniforms. White pants to go along with blue and orange stripes up the side of the pants. Met by a rustic-colored orange jersey with large white numbers. Adorned on the crown a royal blue helmet with and orange "D" and white Bronco majestic and menacing all in one.

When I look back up on that era in Broncos history, I see a dynasty. Three Super Bowl appearances in four years, Eight winning seasons, Five division titles. That's what the Denver "D" on the helmet will always stand for to me: Dynasty.

Dan Reeves deserves as much credit for that success as anyone else in the franchise.

Thank you Mr. Reeves for all you did to help bring exciting, competitive, one-of-a-kind football to the Mile High City.

Broncos Country thanks you for your service from the bottom of our heart!

Congratulations on becoming part of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, you've belonged there for quite sometime, welcome home!