Tag: Goose Gonsoulin

Goose Gonsoulin was the best player to wear No. 23 for the Broncos

A five-time AFL All-Star and a member of the team’s Ring of Fame, Goose Gonsoulin ranks second in Broncos history with 43 interceptions.

As we continue our series of the best player to wear each jersey number for the Denver Broncos, we’ve reached No. 23.

Former running back Sammy Winder deserves an honorable mention as a two-time Pro Bowler who spent his entire career in Denver (1982-1990). Late running back Ronnie Hillman, who helped the team win Super Bowl 50 in 2015, deserves recognition as well.

But safety Goose Gonsoulin is an easy choice as the best player to ever wear jersey No. 23 for the Broncos.

Gonsoulin spent the first seven years (1960-1966) of his career in Denver and he earned All-AFL recognition and AFL All-Star honors five times.

Gonsoulin totaled 11 interceptions in his first season in 1960, a single-season franchise record that still stands today. After spending the final year of his career with the San Francisco 49ers, Gonsoulin retired as the AFL’s all-time leader in interceptions. His 43 interceptions with the Broncos rank second in franchise history, only trailing Steve Foley (44).

Gonsoulin is a member of the Broncos Ring of Fame and he deserves consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well.

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Making the case for 10 Broncos who should be in the Hall of Fame

Randy Gradishar appears to be on the verge of reaching the Hall of Fame, but these Broncos players continue to be overlooked by voters.

The Denver Broncos are represented by 10 former players and late former owner Pat Bowlen in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and another former player will likely join them in Canton next year.

Former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was named a senior finalist for the Hall of Fame last August, and he seems likely to be elected as a member of the 2024 class in January. Even with Gradishar seemingly on the verge of getting in, though, Denver remains underrepresented in Canton.

Two months ago, 16 former Broncos were named among 173 modern-era nominees for the 2024 Hall of Fame class. That list of nominees was narrowed down to a list of 25 semifinalists announced Tuesday and not a single Denver player made the cut.

Granted, many of the modern-era semifinalists this year are more than deserving — Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney and Devin Hester among them — but the Broncos also have many deserving players who have been overlooked for years, and they are now one more year removed from possible enshrinement.

Here’s a quick look at ten Denver representatives who should already be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.