Former Denver Broncos quarterback Charley Johnson died at age 85 on Tuesday, New Mexico State announced on Wednesday.
Johnson led the Aggies to back-to-back Sun Bowl victories, earning Sun Bowl MVP in each game. He is a member of NM State’s Hall of Fame and his No. 33 jersey is retired by the school.
Johnson later played in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1961-1969 before a two-year stint with the Houston Oilers. He joined the Broncos in 1972 and led them to their first winning season one year later with a 7-5-2 record. Johnson spent the final four years of his career in Denver.
Johnson’s 7,238 passing yards and 52 touchdown passes rank ninth and seventh in franchise history, respectively. The Broncos added Johnson to their Ring of Fame in 1986. Johnson is also in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame after playing football, basketball, baseball and golf at Big Spring High School in Texas.
Johnson is one of five quarterbacks in Denver’s Ring of Fame, joining Frank Tripucka, Craig Morton, John Elway and Peyton Manning.