Tag: Terrell Davis

“Greek,” former Broncos trainer, recognized by Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former Broncos trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos received well-deserved recognition from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The longest-tenured member of the Denver Broncos, former trainer Steve “Greek” Antonopulos was recently recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame with an Award of Excellence.

This particular award recognizes “significant contributors to the game off the field.” Antonopulos was recognized alongside 14 additional Award of Excellence recipients from categories ranging from athletic trainers to public relations personnel. These unsung heroes each touched their particular teams in profound ways.

Antonopulos was a 45-year veteran of the Broncos, seeing them through all eight Super Bowl teams, treating the injuries of Hall of Famers Peyton Manning, John Elway, Shannon Sharpe and Terrell Davis, among the many other players he looked over. Antonopulos is also no stranger to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as he was the presenter for the late Pat Bowlen’s induction into Canton.

This award is just the latest of the hardware Antonopulos has won over the years. In 2011, he was awarded the Fain-Cain Memorial Award, an honor given annually to an NFL trainer who best exemplifies a long-term commitment to the NFL as well as exemplary performance. Antonopulos also received the NFL/PFATS Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award (1987), the National Athletic Trainers Association Athletic Trainer Service Award (1996) and the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2006).

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Two Georgia Bulldogs named among best players in Super Bowl history

Former Georgia Bulldog Hines Ward snubbed from the list of greatest Super Bowl players of all-time

Former Georgia Bulldogs running back Terrell Davis and defensive back Jake Scott are ranked among the best all-time players in Super Bowl history. Nate Davis of USA TODAY writes that Davis is the No. 9 player in Super Bowl history.

In what was arguably the greatest Super Bowl effort by a tailback, he ran for 157 yards and a record-tying three TDs – while combating a migraine – on his way to Super Bowl 32 MVP honors as the Denver Broncos won their first title.

The former Georgia star played with the Bulldogs from 1992-1994. Terrell Davis won two Super Bowls. He followed up his outstanding performance in Super Bowl 32 with another gem in Super Bowl 33.

Davis added 102 rushing yards and 50 more receiving when Denver repeated the next year.

Terrell Davis is the second-ranked running back on the list behind Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.

Former Miami Dolphins star defensive back Jake Scott was named as the No. 30 all-time player in Super Bowl history. Scott won a pair of Super Bowls. He was named MVP of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who are the only undefeated team to ever win the Super Bowl.

His pair of interceptions, including the game-clincher, put a bow on the Dolphins’ perfect season and brought him Super Bowl 7’s MVP. Scott got another ring the following year, recovering a pair of Minnesota Vikings fumbles. He also handled kickoff and punt returns for Miami.

Scott finished his NFL career with 49 career interceptions.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward should be on the list of the greatest Super Bowl performers. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY

The list snubs former Georgia Bulldogs Hines Ward, who was named as the MVP of Super Bowl 40. Ward played in three Super Bowls in his career, winning two. The former Pittsburgh Steelers legend racked up 14 catches for 244 total yards and two touchdowns in his three career Super Bowl games. Ward is part of Georgia’s current 23-year streak of having at least one former Bulldog in the Super Bowl.

View all of the Broncos players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

After adding Randy Gradishar, how many former Broncos are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame now? Here’s the full list.

Former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was announced as a member of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class on Thursday night.

So, how many players do the Broncos have in the Hall of Fame now? That depends on who you believe qualifies for the count.

There are obvious players — running back Floyd Little, quarterback John Elway, safety Steve Atwater, tight end Shanahan Sharpe, offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman, running back Terrell Davis and cornerback Champ Bailey are obvious Broncos Hall of Famers. That’s seven.

Quarterback Peyton Manning only played four years in Denver, but he won the AFC West in all four seasons and won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos. That’s eight. Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, but he won his ring in Denver. Nine.

John Lynch won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but he, like Manning, played the final four years of his career with the Broncos — and he’s a member of the team’s Ring of Fame. Ten.

So Gradishar is essentially the 11th Denver player to reach Canton. There are others, though. Safety Brian Dawkins played three seasons with the Broncos. Cornerback Willie Brown played four seasons in Denver before a 12-year stint with the Oakland Raiders. Running back Tony Dorsett and cornerback Ty Law also spent one season each with the Broncos.

Additionally, late team owner Pat Bowlen was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2019. So there are at least a dozen members of the Hall of Fame who Broncos fans can claim as their own. Up next should be former coach Mike Shanahan, who was snubbed again by voters in 2023.

Here’s a quick list of every former Bronco in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On this date: Broncos won Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999

The Denver Broncos won their second Super Bowl in franchise history on this date (Jan. 31) in 1999.

On this date — January 31 — in 1999, the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl XXXIII against the Atlanta Falcons, 34-19.

This game was the swan song for Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, who rode off into the sunset after the game as the contest’s MVP. Elway went 18-of-29 passing for 336 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Elway also also ran for one touchdown, which has been immortalized in Super Bowl history.

In many ways, the 1998 team was the best in franchise history even until now. The Broncos went 14-2 in the regular season, which is still the franchise mark for wins in a season. Running back Terrell Davis became the fourth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in the regular season, not including the playoffs.

Kicker Jason Elam tied a then-NFL record with a 63-yard field goal during the regular season.

As a whole, Denver led in 52 of the 64 quarters in 1998. That continued into the Super Bowl, where the Broncos led from start to finish, dominating the Falcons and former head coach Dan Reeves en route to back-to-back championships.

The 25th anniversary of the 1998 team happened in 2023. Hopefully the memory of these Super Bowl teams resonates in the minds of these Denver players to look to future success.

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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

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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.

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Sean Payton wants Broncos rookies to follow Terrell Davis’ lead on special teams

“There are countless Pro Bowl players who started earning their keep in the kicking game,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

Before becoming a star on offense or defense, every Denver Broncos rookie will be asked to contribute on special teams.

“It’s just the way the league is,” coach Sean Payton said on Aug. 15. “I think they understand it.” 

Even former running back Terrell Davis, now a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, earned a spot on the 53-man roster after a big hit on a kickoff during preseason.

“The Terrell Davis story is well known, but there are so many of those stories. There are countless Pro Bowl players who started earning their keep in the kicking game. I think there will be a good tick up this week with special teams, especially for some of those younger guys that know these evaluations are important.”

Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders, a third-round pick, will likely have a key role on special teams as a rookie. Denver’s second-round pick, wide receiver Marvin Mims, will make an impact on special teams as a returner long before becoming a primary receiver on offense.

That’s just the way the league works. If you want to win a bigger role on offense or defense, you must first “earn your keep” on special teams.

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Terrell Davis named best player in NFL history to wear No. 30

Terrell Davis, a member of the 2,000-yard club, 2-time Super Bowl champion, NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP, was the best player to ever wear 30.

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar recently revealed his list of the best players to wear each jersey number in NFL history, and a Denver Broncos fan favorite made the list.

Former running back Terrell Davis was named the best player in league history to wear No. 30. Davis, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, had his career cut short by injury but not before rushing for 2,000 yards in a single season and earning NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP honors.

A two-time Super Bowl champion, Davis rushed for 7,607 yards during his career, which still stands as a franchise record in Denver.

In addition to Davis, four other Broncos were named the best players to ever wear their respective numbers: outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94), inside linebacker Randy Gradishar (53), quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and quarterback John Elway (7).

To view the full list of the best players to wear each number in NFL history, visit Touchdown Wire.

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Terrell Davis had a perfect response after going viral during NBA Finals

Terrell Davis had a perfect response on Twitter after going viral during Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Former Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis did not appear to be having a good time when cameras panned to him during Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday evening.

Davis was sitting next to Miami Heat fans who were … excited about their team defeating the Denver Nuggets 111-108 on the road in Game 2. Davis’ face made it clear that he was not having a good time and that expression quickly went viral with fans and pundits reacting on social media.

The next day, the Pro Football Hall of Famer had a perfect response on Twitter.

“I ain’t sitting there next game.😂” Davis tweeted Monday. “@Nuggets in 5. #BRINGITIN #milehighsalute”

Davis, 50, played for the Denver Broncos from 1995-2001, helping the team win back-to-back Super Bowls in the late 1990s. A league MVP and Super Bowl MVP, Davis is one of just eight players in NFL history who have rushed for more than 2,000 yards in a single season.

A sad Terrell Davis became an instant meme as Heat fans high-fived in front of him during Game 2

Davis didn’t look so happy.

Yes, we’re talking about the all-time great running back Terrell Davis here, one of the big names who roots for the Denver Nuggets given that he was a Broncos legend.

Davis was in attendance during the Nuggets’ Game 2 loss to the Miami Heat, and ABC cameras caught a moment in which some Heat fans were high-fiving in front of him. Davis looked … not happy, but it’s not obvious if it was over how the Nuggets were playing or said fans celebrating right in front of him.

Either way, he became an instant meme, which is now making its way around Twitter: