From 1960 through 1972, the Denver Broncos were not very good. Losing seasons, lackluster management, unimpressive quarterbacks, and underperformance were hallmarks of Broncos football in those early years.

Fast forward to the end of the 2021 season, suspect management, a slew of unsuccessful coaches, awful quarterbacks, and losing season after losing season have put the Denver Broncos right back where they started in 1960.

In 1972, the Denver Broncos were able to break the spell when they hired an unconventional optimist at head coach, John Ralston. After winning back-to-back Rose Bowls with Stanford in 1970 and 1971, Ralston was just want the Denver Broncos needed.

Everything you read about Coach Ralston will reference his Dale Carnegie training in the power of positive thinking. While it’s true that he was a firm believer in those teachings, such talk seems to overshadow the unconventional approach he took to the game and his players.

Long before the “too many men in the huddle” penalty, you would find Ralston right there with locked arms around his offense. In old films, you can see him interacting with each player on a personal level. It’s evident, even all these years later, that he truly believed in his players, their mission, and what they were trying to do.

50-years later the game, players, and the world have changed, but the game of football has remained largely the same. The losing culture of the 1960’s has found it’s way back into the Denver Broncos. The time was ripe for a return to what worked.

Enter Nathaniel Hackett.

Looking at videos of him interacting with players is absolutely reminiscent of those grainy films of Ralston slapping butts inside the huddle.

Hackett represents so much more than new blood on the sideline. His is the type of energy that turned the Denver Broncos around once, and I believe that energy can do it again. While he doesn’t have the Dale Carnegie training that Ralston did, he has the same drive to apply what he learned elsewhere to how he interacts with players and the world. As this SI article states:

Nathaniel was also an avid hip-hop dancer, teaching classes throughout college and continuing to take lessons into his late 20s. To this day, he coaches his daughter, also a prospective dancer who has already appeared in music videos, proudly donning his “Dance Dad” shirt at every showcase and competition. But, more than anything, he loved to laugh. And he loved to walk into a room and light the place up.

According to my Green Bay Packers blogger friend, Hackett is able to connect with players on a whole other level because of his love of music, movement, and people in general. It’s his positive outlook on life and genuine appreciation for his players that make him successful. Simply put, players will listen to him because he treats them like important people in his life. We should all be so lucky.

I’ve said in previous articles that the Denver Broncos needed a John Ralston-type Messiah to come deliver them from the desert of losing and anguish. If ever there was such a man to fill those shoes, it’s Nathaniel Hackett. Not because he might be the link between the Broncos and Aaron Rodgers, but because he truly believes in his people and the team. The power of positive thinking got the Broncos out of the basement once. I believe it can happen again.

Horse Tracks

Greek-American Dean Metropoulos Part of Group Interested in Denver Broncos Purchase - The National Herald

Von Miller Back on Big Stage 6 Years After MVP Performance – NBC Los Angeles
Von Miller is back in the Super Bowl six years after his MVP performance in Super Bowl 50 led the Denver Broncos to a 24-10 win over Cam Newton and the Carolina...

Sean McVay pleased with Rams' last full-speed practice before Super Bowl LVI - ProFootballTalk

Reports: Vikings hiring Chris Rumph as DL coach, retaining Keenan McCardell - ProFootballTalk

Matt LaFleur on Aaron Rodgers: No updates, but we've been in communication - ProFootballTalk

Aaron Rodgers says he'll make a decision "pretty quick" - ProFootballTalk

Aaron Rodgers 'thankful' for Green Bay Packers' response to issues last offseason, still undecided on future
Aaron Rodgers is still undecided about his future but made clear the animosity he felt toward the Packers last offseason is gone.

Brian Flores' lawsuit reflects widespread discontent among Black coaches over NFL hiring practices
Brian Flores' lawsuit reflects widespread discontent among Black coaches over hiring practices around the league, Jim Trotter reports. Former NFL offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon: "It's emasculating. It's devastating."

Sources -- Jacksonville Jaguars expected to hire Press Taylor as new offensive coordinator
The Jaguars are expected to hire Press Taylor as the offensive coordinator on head coach Doug Pederson's staff, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Ball from Tom Brady's last touchdown pass headed to auction
The football Tom Brady threw to complete the last touchdown pass of his NFL career ended up in the hands of a fan in the stands and now is headed to auction.

2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame class: Tony Boselli becomes first Jaguar to earn gold jacket - CBSSports.com
Four defensive players will earn gold jackets this summer

NFL Honors: Cooper Kupp named 2021 AP Offensive Player of the Year; third wide receiver to capture award - CBSSports.com
Kupp had one of the greatest seasons for a wide receiver in NFL history

Cincinnati tight end C.J. Uzomah says he will take chili bath if Bengals win Super Bowl LVI
Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah said he will take a bath in Cincinnati-style chili if his team defeats the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.

Mike McDaniel - 'No red flags' in taking Miami Dolphins' head-coaching job amid Brian Flores' lawsuit
New Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Thursday there were "no red flags" about the organization despite Brian Flores' lawsuit coming out during his interview process.

NFL says Washington Commanders blocked access to documents related to investigation
The NFL in a letter sent to the House Oversight Committee Wednesday blamed the Commanders for blocking access to more than 100,000 documents related to the investigation into their workplace culture.

Rams OT Andrew Whitworth named 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
Over 16 NFL autumns, Andrew Whitworth has blocked the best of the best while also leaving an indelible mark on local communities. Just days before he’s set to play in Super Bowl LVI, the big man with the big heart received the NFL’s most prestigious tribu

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022: Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler among deserving members
Tony Boselli and LeRoy Butler finally made it to Canton. But where were the first-ballot candidates? Adam Rank breaks down the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2022.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers named 2021 AP NFL MVP
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named the 2021 AP NFL Most Valuable Player on Thursday night. Rodgers also won MVP honors last season, and he now holds four overall.

NFL Honors: Bengals' Joe Burrow beats out Cowboys' Dak Prescott to win 2021 AP Comeback Player of the Year - CBSSports.com
A quarterback won the award for the fourth straight year

NFL Honors: Micah Parsons named 2021 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year; first Cowboys player to capture honor - CBSSports.com
Parsons terrorized NFL quarterbacks during his rookie campaign

NFL Honors: Ja'Marr Chase named 2021 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year; third Bengals player to win honor - CBSSports.com
Chase had a record-setting season for the Bengals

NFL Honors: T.J. Watt named 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year; seventh Steelers player to win award - CBSSports.com
Watt had a historic season for the Steelers, tying Michael Strahan's NFL sack record