Red Miller is newest member of Broncos Ring of Fame

The first playoff appearance.

The first divisional title.

The first postseason win.

The first Super Bowl appearance.

The first back-to-back divisional titles.

The first three consecutive playoff seasons.

As Andrew Mason pointed out in his story, the Denver Broncos witnessed a lot of firsts under the guidance of Red Miller. For those accomplishments and what he meant to the franchise, Miller is the 32nd member to get inducted in the Broncos Ring of Fame. The news was first announced by Mason.

Miller joins Dan Reeves as the only head coaches to have their names on the facade at Mile High Stadium and busts in Monument Plaza on the south-side of the stadium. Miller was inducted by the Ring of Fame committee that is comprised of president and CEO Joe Ellis; former Broncos general manager John Beake; former Broncos assistant head coach/defense Joe Collier; former Broncos wide receiver and current radio play-by-play announcer Dave Logan; Broncos historian Jim Saccomano; and former Broncos radio play-by-play announcer Larry Zimmer.

Miller will be inducted in the Ring of Fame at halftime of a yet-to-announced game this season. He turns 90 this fall, and was wondering if he would ever get the news.

“Hearing that great news from Joe and the rest of the committee brought back so many memories from those special seasons with the Broncos,” Miller said in a release from the Broncos. “Looking back, it was a ragtag operation with where we were at the time. We had to build it up and get it going. All of our players and coaches carried us to a lot of success and brought so much excitement to the fans during those years. I’m honored to join the Broncos’ all-time greats in the Ring of Fame, and I look forward to celebrating with the many people who helped make this possible.”

As the release from the Broncos said, hired as the eighth head coach in Broncos history on Feb. 1, 1977, Miller compiled a 40-22 (.645) regular-season record and a 2-3 (.400) playoff mark from 1977-80. He never had a losing record in his four seasons in Denver, tying for the fourth-most regular-season wins (40) in the NFL during his tenure. That figure ranks fourth in Broncos history.

The release added that Miller’s 1977 squad posted a 12-2 record and won Denver’s first AFC West title, finally wrestling it away from the defending Super Bowl-champion Oakland Raiders. After earning their first-ever playoff berth, the Broncos went on to beat the Raiders in the AFC Championship Game and advanced to their first Super Bowl.

“When you talk to the players and coaches from that period, they’ll tell you how Red pushed those teams, led by the historic Orange Crush defense, to a championship level,” Ellis said in the release. “On behalf of owner Pat Bowlen and our entire organization, we congratulate coach Miller and look forward to honoring him as the newest member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.”

When you look at the tradition the Broncos have had and continue to hold, it started with Miller. It was one of many firsts he helped usher in for this historic franchise, and it’s a main reason he gets his rightful place in the Ring of Fame.

Mile High Salute to Red Miller on this awesome feat.