Tag: Denver Broncos Alumni

Ken Adamson, member of Broncos’ inaugural team, dies at 85

Ken Adamson, who played guard for the inaugural Broncos squad and earned AFL All-Star honors in the early 1960s, has died at 85.

A member of the first Denver Broncos team has passed away.

Offensive lineman Ken Adamson died peacefully at his home in California on Tuesday, the Broncos announced. He was 85 years old.

After playing college football at Notre Dame, Adamson was on the inaugural Denver team that helped launch the AFL in 1960. He started 14 games (of a 14-game schedule) in 1960, 12 games in 1961 and four games in 1962 before retiring from pro football.

Adamson’s best year came in 1961 when he earned All-AFL honors from the Associated Press. Adamson was part of an offensive line that blocked for running back Gene Mingo, a two-time AFL All-Star and a member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame.

Denver went 4-9-1 in its inaugural season, most notably winning the first game in American Football League history 13-10 against the then-Boston Patriots.

The former guard is survived by his wife, Joyce Adamson; brother, David Adamson; three daughters, Kelley, Seanne and Colleen; sons-in-law, Matt and Charlie; and five grandchildren, Sean, Kenny, Clare, Elizabeth and Emily.

Broncos Wire sends condolences to Adamson’s family and friends.

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Broncos nominate Randy Gradishar for 2023 Salute to Service Award

The Broncos named Randy Gradishar their 2023 Salute to Service Award nominee this week.

The Denver Broncos named Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar as their 2023 Salute to Service Award nominee on Tuesday. The award is sponsored by USAA. 

According to a press release from the team, Gradishar has been instrumental in leading the franchise’s efforts to the military community.

Gradishar, the son of a World War II veteran, has participated in three United Service Organizations (USO) tours to troops in Iraq, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Currently, Gradishar works as the Outreach Coordinator at Mt. Carmel Veteran’s Service Center nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs, helping active-duty military personnel make the difficult transition to civilian life.

Previous winners of this award include current Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and former Broncos Ben Garland and Andrew Beck.

This honor is just a small part of what has been a significant year for the Broncos’ Ring of Famer. In addition to being named Denver’s Salute to Service nominee, Gradishar was named as a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist by the Senior Committee in August. His selection as a finalist by the Committee is almost certain to be seconded and set in bronze by the Hall of Fame’s voting committee the week before Super Bowl LVIII.

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Broncos alumni gather for 16th annual Golf and Gala

Former Denver Broncos players gave their thoughts about the upcoming season at a Golf and Gala event earlier this week.

The Denver Broncos Alumni Association held their annual Golf and Gala event for Denver Broncos Charities at The Ranch Country Club in Westminster, Colorado on Monday, June 5. Broncos Wire spoke to several former Broncos, and got their thoughts on the alumni association as well as the upcoming 2023 season.