Tag: Super Bowl XXXII

Ed McCaffrey had a funny take on his big block in Super Bowl XXXII

“Totally legal in 1998! 30 yards of penalties in 2025,” Ed McCaffrey tweeted about his iconic block in Super Bowl XXXII.

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey delivered an iconic block for fullback Howard Griffith in Super Bowl XXXII in 1998.

With the Broncos and Green Bay Packers tied at 24-24 in the fourth quarter, quarterback John Elway hit Griffith in the flat and McCaffrey blocked Packers linebacker Brian Williams, allowing Griffith to pick up 15 more yards.

“Brian Williams, that’s Ed McCaffrey that just tattooed you on your back!” was the moment’s iconic call. As Griffith ran down field, McCaffrey stood over Williams and pointed at him on the ground.

The play resurfaced on social media over the weekend on the game’s anniversary and McCaffrey had a funny response on Twitter/X:

“Totally legal in 1998! 30 yards of penalties in 2025. Good times!” McCaffrey tweeted on Saturday.

Denver went on to defeat Green Bay 31-24, marking the first Super Bowl win in franchise history. The Broncos then defeated the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl the following year, winning back-to-back titles.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

On this date in 1998: Broncos won Super Bowl XXXII

On this date (Jan. 25) in 1998, the 11.5-point underdog Broncos defeated the Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII.

The Denver Broncos upset the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII on Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, marking the first championship victory in franchise history.

After previously losing four Super Bowls in the 1970s-1980s, the Broncos were considered big 11.5-point underdogs against the Packers.

Led by a productive rushing attack and opportunistic defense, Denver overcame those odds to pull off an upset win.

The Broncos’ offense was carried by running back Terrell Davis, who rushed 30 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns in the win, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Davis would later go on to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 after retiring from the NFL in 2002.

On defense, Denver forced three turnovers (two fumbles and an interception) to help slow down a high-powered Green Bay offense.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmZdHyQSR90&t=7s

Five members of the Broncos’ starting lineup that day — Davis, quarterback John Elway, tight end Shannon Sharpe, left tackle Gary Zimmerman and safety Steve Atwater — are now in the Hall of Fame.

After securing their first Super Bowl victory in 1998, Denver went on to win again in 1999, and they later won a third title in 2016.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos Super Bowl champion Allen Aldridge dies at age 52

Allen Aldridge died suddenly at age 52. A Broncos Super Bowl champion, Aldridge spent the last 20 years coaching high school football.

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Allen Aldridge died suddenly at age 52 on Sunday, his alma mater, the University of Houston, confirmed Monday.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, Aldrige’s mother, Cleotha Aldridge, told Houston-area reporter Mark Berman.

Aldridge had been coaching Fort Bend Bush High School in Texas for the last 20 years after hanging up his cleats.

After playing high school football at Willowridge (Houston), Aldridge starred for the Cougars in college and was picked by Denver in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft.

He played for the Broncos from 1994-1997, totaling 230 tackles, two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks in 64 games (45 starts). He was a 15-game starter in 1997 and helped Denver defeat the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXIII that season.

Aldridge played four seasons with the Detroit Lions after his stint with the Broncos and ended his career with 482 tackles, 10.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, five forced fumbles and one interception in 128 games.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

On this date: Broncos won Super Bowl XXXII in 1998

John Elway and the Denver Broncos won their first Super Bowl 25 years ago today.

On this date in 1998 — January 25 — the Denver Broncos were finally able to win their first world championship, 31-24, over the Green Bay Packers.

After numerous appearances and numerous losses on the NFL’s biggest stage, the Broncos were thought to have been almost an afterthought to the defending Super Bowl-winning Packers. Green Bay came into Super Bowl XXXII as 11-point favorites, and the NFC had won the Super Bowl for 13 consecutive years.

The game featured eight future Pro Football Hall of Famers, five from the Broncos (John Elway, Terrell Davis, Steve Atwater, Pat Bowlen and Shannon Sharpe) and three from the Packers (Brett Favre, Reggie White and Ron Wolf).

Throughout the game, Davis rushed for three touchdowns, which is still a Super Bowl record that stands today. Elway also ran for a touchdown early in the second quarter.

The most iconic moment of the game came late in the fourth quarter, on a third down run made by Elway. Elway ran, leaped and was hit by three Green Bay defenders, spinning him in the air at the first down marker. “The Helicopter,” as it was later come to be known as, was recognized as the 33rd most memorable play in NFL history during the league’s celebration of its 100th year.

After knocking down Brett Favre’s final pass, the Broncos knelt down to win the game. At the end of it all, owner Pat Bowlen hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, declaring, “This one’s for John!” It became the first of three titles in franchise history.

https://youtu.be/WmZdHyQSR90?si=paTShCTe15y_FWk1

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Broncos vs. Packers series history: Denver aims to take all-time lead

The all-time series between the Broncos and Packers is tied 7-7-1. Who will pull ahead on Sunday?

The 1-5 Denver Broncos are set to take on the 2-3 Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 7.

The Broncos and Packers series goes back to 1971, when the Packers won the first meeting 34-13. Since then, the teams have played 14 additional times. The most meaningful and memorable matchup for the Broncos was in Super Bowl XXXII.

That year, Denver came in as 11-point underdogs to the reigning Super Bowl champs. Super Bowl XXXII featured eight future Pro Football Hall of Famers (John Elway, Brett Favre, Steve Atwater, Gary Zimmerman, Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, Reggie White and Ron Wolf).

The highlight of the game was Elway’s famous “Helicopter” play, where he dove for a first down and was hit by multiple Packers defenders in midair. Denver came away with their first-ever championship, 31-24. Interestingly enough, the Broncos also beat Green Bay en route to their second and third championships, 31-10 and 29-10 victories, respectively, in 1998 and 2015.

The last time these two squads met was in 2019. The Broncos went into the game with quarterback Joe Flacco, and Green Bay by Aaron Rodgers. The Packers were the better team in a game where the running backs dominated. Aaron Jones rushed for two touchdowns for the Packers, while former Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay also ran for two touchdowns.

The all-time series between Denver and Green Bay is tied 7-7-1. The Broncos will aim to pull ahead on Sunday.

Denver looks to right a sinking ship of a declining defense and an inconsistent offense in this game against a perennially NFC North powerhouse.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

5 best coaches in Denver Broncos history

Do you agree with our list of the best coaches in Broncos history?

With the recent hiring of Sean Payton, now’s a good time to look back at the best coaches in Denver Broncos’ history. In our book, wins and losses are important, but not the only factor when determining the ranking. Do you agree with this list?

Broncos to honor Super Bowl XXXII team in Week 7

25 years after their first title, the Broncos will honor their Super Bowl XXXII team in Week 7 this fall.

“This one’s for John!” former Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen declared at the end of Super Bowl XXXII.

Twenty-five years ago, the Broncos won their first Super Bowl, a 31-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers. In 2022, Denver will honor those who made this seemingly impossible dream a reality.

“The 25th anniversary of the Broncos’ first Super Bowl championship is a special occasion deserving of a tribute that celebrates how much the 1997 team means to our organization and fans,” Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis said in a statement.

This “special occasion” will happen on October 23 at halftime of their matchup against the New York Jets in Week 7. Throughout the year, Denver will also share programs and other media content from that historic season.

The 1997 season was unforgettable for any true Broncos fan. Denver’s roster featured five Pro Football Hall of Famers and three additional Ring of Famers. They won two road playoff games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs before going into Super Bowl XXXII as 11-point underdogs.

During the fourth quarter of the game, quarterback John Elway’s signature “Helicopter” play became the defining moment the game and the season. During the league’s 100-year celebration, Super Bowl XXXII was named 27 out of 100 greatest games in NFL history. It is also listed as the fourth out of top 10 Super Bowls of all time, according to NFL Films. Its significance is not lost on Denver today.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=680546]

Broncos great Ed McCaffery enshrined in Colorado Sports Hall of Fame

Congrats to former Broncos receiver Ed McCaffery on reaching the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame! Well deserved!

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffery was officially enshrined in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

McCaffery played for three teams during his NFL playing career: the New York Giants (whom he was drafted by 83rd overall in the 1991 NFL draft) (1991-93), the San Francisco 49ers (1994) and the Broncos (1995-2003).

McCaffery played a pivotal role as a playmaker for the Denver teams who won Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII. During his Broncos career, he caught 462 passes for 6,200 yards and 46 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 1998.

“I’m glad to join so many of my former Broncos teammates and coaches [in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame],” McCaffery said in an interview with DenverBroncos.com on Wednesday.

McCaffery suffered a horrific injury on a “Monday Night Football” game when Denver played the New York Giants in 2001. After an arduous rehabilitation process, he came back to play with the Broncos until his retirement in 2003.

McCaffery and his family continue to be familiar faces in the state of Colorado and across the country.

Ed coached football at Valor Christian High School for two years, winning the 2018 5A state title, and he’s now continuing his coaching career at the present with the University of Northern Colorado.

His sons, Christian, Dylan, Luke and Max continued in their father’s football footsteps. Christian is the most well-known of the brothers as a star running back with the Carolina Panthers.

McCaffery joins former Broncos and Hall of Famers John Elway, Champ Bailey, Peyton Manning among other distinguished names of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, which is located at Empower Field at Mile High.

[listicle id=678485]

On this date in 1998: Broncos won Super Bowl XXXII

On this date in 1998, the 11-point underdog Broncos defeated the Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII.

The Denver Broncos upset the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII on Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, marking the first championship victory in franchise history.

After previously losing four Super Bowls in the 1970s-1980s, the Broncos were considered big 11-point underdogs against the Packers.

Led by a productive rushing attack and opportunistic defense, Denver overcame those odds to pull off an upset win.

The Broncos’ offense was carried by running back Terrell Davis, who rushed 30 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns in the win, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Davis would later go on to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 after retiring from the NFL in 2002.

On defense, Denver forced three turnovers (two fumbles and an interception) to help slow down a high-powered Green Bay offense.

Five members of the Broncos’ starting lineup that day — Davis, quarterback John Elway, tight end Shannon Sharpe, left tackle Gary Zimmerman and safety Steve Atwater — are now in the Hall of Fame.

After securing their first Super Bowl victory in 1998, Denver went on to win again in 1999 before winning a third title in 2016.

[pickup_prop id=”19562″]

[vertical-gallery id=658940]

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=670238]

NBCSN will re-air Super Bowl XXXII on Thursday, June 4

NBC Sports Network will re-air Super Bowl XXXII between the Broncos and Packers on Thursday.

NBC Sports has been celebrating Super Bowl Week in America this week, re-airing classic Super Bowls on NBC Sports Network.

NBCSN will re-air Super Bowl XXXII between the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers on Thursday, June 4 at 6 p.m. MT. The game will also be available to stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

From NBC Sports’ press release:

Thursday’s coverage on NBCSN features Denver’s first Super Bowl victory as the Broncos defeat the Green Bay Packers, 31-24, after four previous Super Bowl losses. Terrell Davis rushes for 157 yards and scores a Super Bowl-record three rushing touchdowns to garner MVP honors in his hometown at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium on January 25, 1998. At the postgame Lombardi Trophy presentation, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen dedicates the win to quarterback John Elway: “This one’s for John.”

McHugh will speak with Davis throughout the broadcast.

NBC Broadcast Team: Dick Enberg, Phil Simms, Paul Maguire, Jim Gray, and John Dockery

NBCSN is channel No. 159 on Dish and No. 220 on DirecTV.

[vertical-gallery id=642240]