141-810: Patrick Dennis Bowlen (February 18, 1944 – June 13, 2019) was a Canadian–American lawyer, executive and the majority owner of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL), winning three Super Bowls. He was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the class of 2019. Bowlen owned other professional sports franchises in the Denver Colorado Area. Bowlen served as the Broncos CEO from 1984 until July 2014, when he stepped down as Broncos' CEO due to
282-743: A 12–4 record and winning the NFC West division, as well as securing a first-round bye. The Panthers beat the defending Super Bowl champions Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round 26–17 before losing the NFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers 30–13. The team managed only a 7–9 finish in 1997 and slipped to 4–12 in 1998 , leading to Capers' dismissal as head coach. The Panthers hired former San Francisco 49ers head coach George Seifert to replace Capers, and he led
423-702: A 13–3 record and the AFC 's No. 1 seed in the 2012 playoffs , but were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional round. Like in 2012 , the 2013 Broncos finished with a 13–3 record and the AFC's No. 1 seed. The Broncos broke all offensive records and QB Peyton Manning shattered many quarterback records that season as well. In the 2013 playoffs , they defeated the San Diego Chargers in
564-582: A 13–7 win over the Detroit Lions in a preseason game. However, the Broncos were not successful in the 1960s, winning more than five games only once (7–7, 1962 ), compiling a 39–97–4 (.293) record during the ten seasons of the AFL. Denver came close to losing its franchise in 1965 , until a local ownership group took control, and rebuilt the team. The team's first superstar, "Franchise" Floyd Little ,
705-494: A 2nd and 3rd round pick in the 2022 NFL draft . At the time of the trade, Miller was the longest-tenured Bronco on the team, and the only remaining non-special teams player from Denver's Super Bowl 50 roster. After another mediocre performance in the 2021 season with the Broncos going 7–10, head coach Vic Fangio was dismissed on January 8, 2022, after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs . The Broncos announced
846-577: A 31–3 loss to the New Orleans Saints . In July 2021, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that Hinton's quarterback wristband would be added to the Hall of Fame as part of a display. The Broncos finished the 2020 season with a record of 5–11, last in the AFC West , and missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. Following another season of uninspiring quarterback performances,
987-670: A Catholic Jesuit boarding school in his native Wisconsin . Bowlen later earned degrees in business (1965) and law (1968) from the University of Oklahoma . During his time at Oklahoma he played for the Oklahoma Sooners freshman football team as a wide receiver , as well as for the Edmonton Huskies junior football team, where he was part of three Canadian Junior Football League Championship teams from 1962 to 1964. The younger Bowlen became wealthier by becoming
1128-429: A breach of contract. Kaiser asserted that he had the right of first refusal if any deal was made involving franchise ownership. In 2004, a jury ruled in favor of Kaiser and a federal judge decreed that Kaiser was entitled to purchase back 10% of the Broncos using the identical purchase terms offered to Elway. Bowlen appealed the original verdict that ruled in favor of Kaiser and won in 2008, as the appellate court ruled that
1269-564: A difficult 2020 season, losing several close games. They would finish 5–11 for the second straight year. Following the season, the Panthers traded for Sam Darnold from the New York Jets and shipped Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos . On November 11, 2021, the Panthers signed Cam Newton to a one-year deal after Darnold was put on injured reserve. However, the Panthers' struggles continued; despite winning their first three games of
1410-515: A disappointing 8–8 record. The team finished the 2007 season with a 7–9 record after losing quarterback Jake Delhomme early in the season due to an elbow injury. In 2008 , the Panthers rebounded with a 12–4 regular season record, winning the NFC South and securing a first round bye . They were eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs, losing 33–13 to the eventual NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals after Delhomme turned
1551-467: A fan favorite due to his underdog mentality, explosive play style and local roots. Lindsay became the first undrafted player in NFL history with 100+ scrimmage yards in each of their first two games and on December 18, 2018, Lindsay was voted to the 2019 Pro Bowl , making him the first undrafted offensive rookie in NFL history to be voted to a Pro Bowl. After getting off to a strong start, their 2018 season
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#17327828521761692-424: A fighter. I kept pounding. You're fighters, too. Keep pounding!" In 2019, the Panthers unveiled new uniforms. The new uniforms are Nike's "Vapor Untouchable" and have only minor differences: the tapered strips on the pants are replaced by stripes that extend down to the socks, the reflective shoulder cloth was replaced and the hip logos were also removed. The uniforms keep the same basic look, colors, and numbers as
1833-465: A great trial or adversity that has not only made them strong but also pushes them to make others around them stronger". Drummers have included current and former Panthers players, military veterans, Make-A-Wish children, and athletes from other sports, including NBA MVP and Charlotte native Stephen Curry , US women's national soccer team players Whitney Engen and Heather O'Reilly , and 7 time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson . During
1974-419: A home stadium capacity of just under 75,000, with home attendance ranking in the NFL's top ten since 2006. Sir Purr , an anthropomorphic black panther who wears a jersey numbered '00', has been the Panthers' mascot since their first season. During games, Sir Purr provides sideline entertainment through skits and "silly antics". The mascot participates in a number of community events year-round, including
2115-465: A league-worst 2–15 record. On January 25, 2024, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales was hired as head coach. In the first regular season game of the season, the Panthers lost to the New Orleans saints with a score of 10–47 with Bryce Young registering 13 completions from 30 attempts and being intercepted twice. The shape of the Panthers logo was designed to mimic
2256-576: A long-time assistant coach, was hired and along with the Orange Crush Defense (a nickname originated in 1977, also the brand of the popular orange-flavored soft drink ) and aging quarterback Craig Morton , took the Broncos to what was then a record-setting 12–2 regular-season record and their first playoff appearance in 1977 , and ultimately made their first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XII , in which they were defeated by
2397-434: A major role in the Broncos' decision making, and Executive VP John Elway and President Joe Ellis assumed control. On July 23, 2014, due to complications with Alzheimer's disease , he officially relinquished control of the team to Joe Ellis . On November 1, 2015, Bowlen was inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame, earning him a bronze plaque that stands on the south side of Empower Field at Mile High . After Bowlen acquired
2538-470: A monthly visit to the patients at Levine Children's Hospital . Sir Purr also hosts the annual Mascot Bowl, an event which pits pro and college mascots against each other during halftime at a selected Panthers home game. The team's cheerleaders are the Carolina Topcats who lead cheers and entertain fans at home games. The TopCats participate in both corporate and charity events. In March 2022,
2679-676: A more menacing look. The revised logo has a darker shade of blue over the black logo, compared to the old design, which had a shade similar to teal on top of black. By the time they had been announced as the 29th NFL team in October 1993, the Panthers' logo and helmet design had already been finalized, but the uniform design was still under creation. After discussion, the Panthers organization decided on jerseys colored white, black, and blue and pants colored white and silver. The exact tone of blue, which they decided would be "process blue" (a shade lighter than Duke 's and darker than North Carolina 's),
2820-728: A partnership consisting of himself, his family, and a number of businessmen from North and South Carolina who were also recruited to be limited partners . Richardson looked at four potential locations for a stadium, ultimately choosing uptown Charlotte . To highlight the demand for professional football in the Carolinas, Richardson Sports held preseason games around the area from 1989 to 1991. The first two games were held at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina , and Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina , while
2961-555: A playoff berth, despite a losing record of 7–8–1 . The Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals , 27–16, in the wild card round to advance to the divisional playoffs, where they lost to eventual NFC champion Seattle, 31–17. The 2015 season saw the Panthers start the season 14–0 and finish the season 15–1 , which tied for the best regular-season record in NFC history. The team had the league's top-scoring offense. During
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#17327828521763102-413: A preseason or full training camps, which likely contributed to an abnormally large amount of injuries that plagued the Broncos and other NFL teams. Star linebacker Von Miller suffered a season-ending ankle tendon injury before the regular season started, and starting wide receiver Courtland Sutton suffered a season-ending torn ACL during a week two game. On November 29, 2020, after all three of
3243-592: A press conference at the team's Dove Valley headquarters. Following Manning's retirement, the Broncos scrambled to find the team's next starting quarterback after backup quarterback Brock Osweiler departed on a four-year contract to the Houston Texans . The Broncos acquired Mark Sanchez from the Philadelphia Eagles and selected Paxton Lynch during the 2016 draft. Sanchez, Lynch and second-year quarterback Trevor Siemian competed for
3384-507: A result of an unimpressive offense led by a quarterback committee of Trevor Siemian , Brock Osweiler , and Paxton Lynch . In an effort to address poor production from the offense, the Broncos signed quarterback Case Keenum on March 14, 2018, and traded away Trevor Siemian to the Minnesota Vikings on March 19, 2018. On May 1, 2018, the Broncos signed local undrafted free agent running back Phillip Lindsay , who became
3525-407: A second consecutive season and missing the playoffs. The next season ( 2010 ), the Broncos set a new franchise record for losses in a single season, with a 4–12 record. McDaniels was fired before the end of the 2010 season following a combination of the team's poor record and the fallout from a highly publicized videotaping scandal . Running backs coach Eric Studesville was named interim coach for
3666-556: A severe migraine headache that caused him blurred vision. The Broncos repeated as Super Bowl champions the following season, defeating the Atlanta Falcons (led by Elway's longtime head coach Dan Reeves ) in Super Bowl XXXIII , 34–19. Elway was named Super Bowl MVP, completing 18 of 29 passes for 336 yards, with an 80-yard touchdown to wide receiver Rod Smith and one interception. John Elway retired following
3807-467: A single season. After strengthening the defense with future all-pro Luke Kuechly in the first round of the 2012 draft, the Panthers again opened the 2012 season poorly, losing five out of their first six games, leading longtime general manager Marty Hurney to be fired in response. The team slid to a 2–8 record before winning five of their last six games, resulting in a 7–9 record. This strong finish helped save Rivera's job. The Panthers had
3948-427: A starter in 2007 became the Broncos' first losing season since 1999, with a 7–9 record. The 2008 season ended in a 52–21 loss at the San Diego Chargers , giving the Broncos an 8–8 record and their third straight season out of the playoffs. Mike Shanahan , the longest-tenured and most successful head coach in Broncos' franchise history, was fired after 14 seasons. On January 11, 2009, two weeks after Shanahan
4089-600: A successful lawyer in Edmonton, Alberta . Bowlen also worked as an executive for his father's company and as a real estate developer and had major investments in the mining industry. During his business career in Edmonton his construction company, Batoni-Bowlen Enterprises, built the Northlands Coliseum , which would become home to the WHA/NHL's Edmonton Oilers for 42 years. Bowlen was an initiated member of
4230-674: A weekly event at Bank of America Stadium which offers fans a chance to meet a player and ask questions of the staff. National broadcasting and cable television networks cover regular-season games, as well as some preseason games. Locally, Fox affiliate WJZY airs most regular-season games, while home games against an AFC team typically air on CBS affiliate WBTV . Any appearances on Monday Night Football are simulcast on ABC affiliate WSOC-TV , while any appearances on Thursday Night Football are simulcast on WSOC. Sunday night and some Thursday night games are aired on NBC affiliate WCNC-TV . All preseason games and team specials are televised by
4371-521: A weekly show focusing on the Panthers' upcoming opponent. The Panthers also offer game broadcasts in Spanish throughout both Carolinas and Mexico, with Jaime Moreno and Toño Ramos providing commentary. The Panthers have developed heated rivalries with the three fellow members of the NFC South (the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New Orleans Saints). The team's fiercest rivals are
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4512-512: A winning season the following year, finishing with a 12–4 record and winning their third NFC South title and another playoff bye, but they were beaten by the 49ers in the Divisional Round. In 2014, the Panthers opened the season with two wins, but after 12 games, sat at 3–8–1 due in part to a seven-game winless streak. A four-game winning streak to end the season secured the team their second consecutive NFC South championship and
4653-636: Is headquartered in Dove Valley, Colorado . The team began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and joined the NFL as part of the merger in 1970. The Broncos are currently owned by the Walton - Penner group. Since 2001, the Broncos have played their regular season home games at Empower Field at Mile High ; Denver previously played its home games at Mile High Stadium from its inception in 1960 through
4794-540: Is provided by flagship station WRFX and through the Carolina Panthers Radio Network, with affiliates throughout the Carolinas and Virginia . The Panthers' radio broadcasting team is led by play-by-play voice Anish Shroff , with Jake Delhomme as color analyst, and WBT sports director Jim Szoke as studio host. The radio network broadcasts pre-game coverage, games with commentary, and post-game wrap-ups. It also live-broadcasts Panther Talk ,
4935-477: The 1991 season , as well as Reeves drafting quarterback Tommy Maddox out of UCLA instead of going with a wide receiver to help Elway. Reeves was fired after the 1992 season and replaced by his protégé and friend Wade Phillips , who had been serving as the Broncos' defensive coordinator. Phillips was fired after a mediocre 1994 season , in which management felt he lost control of the team. In 1995 , Mike Shanahan , who had formerly served under Reeves as
5076-534: The 1995 NFL season ; they were one of two expansion teams to begin playing that year, the other being the Jacksonville Jaguars . The Panthers were put in the NFC West to increase the size of that division to five teams; there were already two other southeastern teams in the division, the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints . Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dom Capers
5217-613: The 1997 season , Elway and Davis helped guide the Broncos to their first Super Bowl victory, a 31–24 win over the defending champion Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII . Though Elway completed only 13 of 22 passes, throwing one interception and no touchdowns (he did, however, have a rushing touchdown), Davis rushed for 157 yards and a Super Bowl-record three touchdowns to earn the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award —this while overcoming
5358-460: The 1998 season , and Brian Griese started at quarterback for the next four seasons. After a 6–10 record in 1999 , mostly due to a season-ending injury to Terrell Davis, the Broncos recovered in 2000 , earning a Wild Card playoff berth, but losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens . After missing the playoffs the following two seasons, former Arizona Cardinals ' quarterback Jake Plummer replaced Griese in 2003 , and led
5499-490: The 2003 season . The Panthers lost a defensive struggle to the AFC champion Denver Broncos , 24–10. In the 2016 season , the Panthers regressed on their 15–1 record from 2015, posting a 6–10 record and a last-place finish in the NFC South, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012 , and losing the division title to the second-seeded Falcons , who went on to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LI . In 2017 ,
5640-535: The 2004 season at 7–9 . Had they won the game, the Panthers would have made the playoffs. The team improved to 11–5 in 2005 , finishing second in the division behind Tampa Bay and clinching a playoff berth as a wild card . In the first round of the playoffs, the Panthers went on the road to face the New York Giants, beating them 23–0 for the NFL's first playoff shutout against a home team since 1980. The following week, they beat Chicago 29–21 on
5781-567: The 2011 season 2–6 , but finished with a 6–10 record, and Newton was awarded the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award after setting the NFL record for most rushing touchdowns from a quarterback (14) in a single season and becoming the first rookie NFL quarterback to throw for over 4,000 yards in a single season, thus setting the NFL rookie record. He also was the first rookie quarterback to rush for over 500 yards in
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5922-478: The 2023 NFL draft , Reich's first and only as the Panthers head coach, the Panthers selected their potential franchise quarterback in Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young out of Alabama with the first overall pick. On November 27, 2023, Reich was fired after a 1–10 start. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor coached the remainder of the 2023 season, going 1–5 in those games as the Panthers finished with
6063-636: The Arena Football League 's Colorado Crush . He shared ownership with Denver-based sports mogul Stan Kroenke and legendary Broncos quarterback John Elway . The Crush entered the AFL as an expansion franchise in 2003. After going through a 2–14 season in 2003, the team became a perennial playoff contender and one of the league's top franchises. The Crush won the Arena Football League Championship in 2005. In 2006, Major League Lacrosse decided to expand adding
6204-637: The Dallas Cowboys (Morton's former team), 27–10. In 1981 , Broncos' owner Gerald Phipps , who had purchased the team in May 1961 from the original owner Bob Howsam , sold the team to Canadian financier Edgar Kaiser Jr. , grandson of shipbuilding industrialist Henry J. Kaiser . In 1984 , the team was purchased by another Canadian, Pat Bowlen , who placed team ownership into a family trust sometime before 2004 and remained in day-to-day control until his battle with Alzheimer's disease forced him to cede
6345-512: The Denver Outlaws to its league of teams. The Denver Outlaws have been the most winning franchise that Bowlen has ever owned, boasting a regular-season win percentage of 69.0% since their creation. The Outlaws have been to the playoffs every year of their existence except one (2015) and advanced to the championship game eight times (2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018), winning the championship in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Bowlen
6486-960: The Indianapolis Colts in 1998 . Backup quarterback Brock Osweiler started the last six games of the regular season due to Manning suffering from a foot injury. Manning led the Broncos throughout the playoffs . The Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 23–16 in the Divisional Round and the New England Patriots 20–18 in the AFC Championship. They were victorious against the Carolina Panthers 24–10 in Super Bowl 50 for their third Super Bowl title. On March 7, 2016, quarterback Peyton Manning retired after 18 NFL seasons during
6627-535: The NFC Championship Game and reached Super Bowl XXXVIII , losing 32–29 to the New England Patriots . After recording playoff appearances in 2005 and 2008, the team failed to make another playoff appearance until 2013, the first of three consecutive NFC South titles. After losing in the divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers in 2013 and the Seattle Seahawks in 2014, the Panthers returned to
6768-867: The National Football League (NFL), as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The team is headquartered in Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte , which also serves as the team's home field . The Panthers are supported throughout the Carolinas ; although the team has played its home games in Charlotte since 1996, it played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina , during its first season in 1995. The Panthers were announced as
6909-415: The New England Patriots , 32–29. The game was immediately hailed by sportswriter Peter King as the "Greatest Super Bowl of all time". King felt the game "was a wonderful championship battle, full of everything that makes football dramatic, draining, enervating, maddening, fantastic, exciting" and praised, among other things, the unpredictability, coaching, and conclusion. The game is still viewed as one of
7050-666: The New York Giants , 39–20; Super Bowl XXII to the Washington Redskins , 42–10; and Super Bowl XXIV to the San Francisco 49ers , 55–10; the latter score remains the most lopsided scoring differential in Super Bowl history. The last year of the Reeves-Elway era were marked by feuding, due to Reeves taking on play-calling duties after ousting Elway's favorite offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan after
7191-907: The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity. Bowlen was initiated by the University of Oklahoma, Beta Omicron chapter in 1963. Bowlen received bar admission in 1969 and was a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association . Bowlen bought a majority interest in the Denver Broncos of the National Football League in March 1984 from Vancouver industrialist Edgar Kaiser Jr. The purchase price
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#17327828521767332-536: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The Panthers had the second overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. The team selected future Hall of Fame defensive end Julius Peppers out of North Carolina. New York Giants defensive coordinator John Fox was hired to replace Seifert and led the team to a 7–9 finish in 2002. Although the team's defense gave up very few yards, ranking the second-best in the NFL in yards conceded, they were hindered by an offense that ranked as
7473-530: The "Greatest Uniform in NFL History" contest, a fan-voted contest run by NFL.com in July 2013. In July 2013, the team's equipment manager, Jackie Miles, said the Panthers intended to use the all-black uniform more in the future. The Panthers wore the all-black uniform three times the following season, once each in the preseason and regular season, and the third time during the home divisional round playoff game vs
7614-517: The 17th head coach in franchise history. Fangio was chosen over Mike Munchak , the Broncos' offensive line coach. Fangio received a four-year contract with a team option for an additional season. On February 13, 2019, Joe Flacco was traded to the Broncos from the Baltimore Ravens. On October 6, 2019, the Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Chargers for their 500th win, bringing their win–loss record to 500–432. On December 1, 2019,
7755-431: The 1996 season by deferring additional money to Elway and Davis outside of the salary cap. In addition, they purposefully avoided waiving certain players before a certain date. Denver claimed the moves did not give them additional competitive advantage. Between two separate punishments, they were stripped of their third-round picks in both the 2002 and 2005 drafts and fined nearly $ 2 million combined. Plummer led
7896-628: The 2000 season. The Broncos were barely competitive during their 10-year run in the AFL and their first three years in the NFL. They did not have a winning season until 1973 and qualified for their first playoffs in 1977 , eventually advancing to Super Bowl XII that season. From 1973 to 2016, the Broncos suffered only eleven losing seasons and won 3 Super Bowls, becoming one of the NFL's most successful teams. They have won eight AFC Championships ( 1977 , 1986 , 1987 , 1989 , 1997 , 1998 , 2013 , 2015 ), and three Super Bowl championships ( 1997 ( XXXII ), 1998 ( XXXIII ), 2015 ( 50 ), and share
8037-460: The 2021 season, they finished 5–12 and ended the season on a seven-game losing streak. After the Panthers began the season with a 1–4 record, Rhule was fired as head coach on October 10, 2022, finishing his tenure with an 11–27 record in two and a half seasons. Steve Wilks was named interim head coach as a result. The Panthers then initiated a rebuild, trading players such as Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey . Steve Wilks would go 6–6 as
8178-410: The 49ers. During the Panthers' 2015 Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys , they debuted an all-blue uniform as part of Nike's "Color Rush" series. The team's uniform did not change significantly after Nike became the NFL's jersey supplier in 2012, but the collar was altered to honor former Panthers player and coach Sam Mills by featuring the phrase "Keep Pounding". Nike had conceived
8319-455: The Broncos hired Gary Kubiak as the team's 15th head coach. Kubiak served as a backup quarterback to executive vice president/general manager John Elway from 1983 to 1991, as well as the Broncos' offensive coordinator from 1995 to 2005. Shortly after Kubiak became head coach, the Broncos underwent numerous changes to their coaching staff and players, including the hiring of defensive coordinator, defensive mastermind Wade Phillips , under whom
8460-548: The Broncos started Mizzou rookie quarterback Drew Lock for the first time. He led the Broncos to a 4–1 record to end the 2019 season . The Broncos finished 2nd place in the AFC West Division at 7–9, missing the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year. In five games, Lock finished with 1,020 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the 2020 NFL season did not have
8601-559: The Broncos to a 13–3 record in 2005 and their first AFC West division title since 1998. After a first-round bye , the Broncos defeated the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots , 27–13, denying New England from becoming the first NFL team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowl championships. They were the first team to beat the Patriots in the playoffs during the Tom Brady era. The Broncos' playoff run came to an end
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#17327828521768742-587: The Broncos to an 8–8 record and garnered the team's first playoff berth and division title since 2005 . The Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round on a memorable 80-yard touchdown pass from Tebow to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime, setting a record for the fastest overtime in NFL history. However, the Broncos lost to the New England Patriots in
8883-421: The Broncos to two straight 10–6 seasons, earning Wild Card playoff berths both years. However, the Broncos went on the road to face the Indianapolis Colts in back-to-back seasons and were blown out by more than 20 points in each game, allowing a combined 90 points. In the years following the back-to-back championships, a league investigation revealed that the team had cheated the salary cap in both seasons and
9024-402: The Broncos were the subject of multiple quarterback trade rumors during the 2021 offseason. Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson were two names rumored to be of interest for the Broncos, but ultimately the Broncos traded for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on April 28, 2021. Bridgewater won the subsequent quarterback competition between himself and Drew Lock during the preseason, and he was named
9165-445: The Broncos' quarterbacks were placed in COVID-19 protocol, the Broncos were forced to turn to undrafted wide receiver and former college quarterback Kendall Hinton as the emergency quarterback. Hinton completed only one pass for 13 yards in 9 attempts—the fewest pass completions in a single game in franchise history—and was intercepted twice. The Broncos' only scoring play was a 58-yard field goal by placekicker Brandon McManus in
9306-404: The Broncos' defense went from middle of the road to being ranked No. 1 in the NFL. By the 2015 season , it would go on to be considered one of the greatest NFL defenses of all time — along with the 1985 Bears, 2000 Ravens and 2002 Buccaneers. The Broncos finished with a 12–4 record and the AFC's No. 1 seed, despite Peyton Manning having his worst statistical season since his rookie year with
9447-412: The Broncos' offensive coordinator, returned as head coach. The team went 8–8 in 1995. Shanahan drafted rookie running back Terrell Davis . In 1996 , the Broncos were the top seed in the AFC with a 13–3 record, dominating most of the teams that year. The fifth-seeded Jacksonville Jaguars , however, upset the Broncos 30–27 in the divisional round of the playoffs, ending the Broncos' 1996 run. During
9588-428: The Broncos' starting quarterback on August 25, 2021. The Broncos also made notable improvements in the defensive secondary , signing former All-Pro cornerback Kyle Fuller and cornerback Ronald Darby , as well as drafting Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II with the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft . Running back Phillip Lindsay was replaced by UNC rookie running back Javonte Williams , who
9729-458: The Carolina Panthers Graduate Scholarship and the Carolina Panthers Players Sam Mills Memorial Scholarship programs. Carolina Panthers Charities also offers grants to non-profits that support education, athletics, and human services in the community. The Panthers and Fisher Athletic have provided six equipment grants to high school football teams in the Carolinas each year since 2010. Carolina Panthers Charities raises funds at three annual benefits:
9870-624: The Carolina Panthers Television Network on flagship station WSOC-TV in Charlotte and fourteen affiliate stations throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee . WSOC took over as the Panthers' television partner for the 2019 season, replacing longtime television partner WCCB , which had retained this role after losing the Fox affiliation to WJZY in 2013. As of 2021, the preseason television broadcasting team consists of play-by-play commentator Taylor Zarzour, color analyst and former Panthers player Steve Smith , and sideline reporter Kristen Balboni. The network also hosts The Panthers Huddle ,
10011-409: The Carolina Panthers are the team that South Carolina calls their own". During the 2016 NFC Championship and Super Bowl, the hashtag #OneCarolina was used by college and professional sports teams from North Carolina and South Carolina to show unified support for the Panthers. Sports Illustrated graded the Panthers as having the 10th highest "NFL Fan Value Experience" in 2007, attributing much of
10152-400: The Carolina Topcats became the first NFL cheerleading team to have a transgender member, Justine Lindsay . The team's drumline is PurrCussion, an ensemble of snare, tenor, and bass drummers as well as cymbal players. PurrCussion performs for fans outside the stadium and introduces players prior to home games; it consists of drummers from across the Carolinas. Starting with the 2012 season,
10293-587: The Countdown to Kickoff Luncheon, the team's first public event each season; Football 101, an educational workshop for fans; and the Weekend Warrior Flag Football Tournament, a two-day non-contact flag football tournament. Another annual benefit is Taste of the Panthers, a gourmet food tasting which raises funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. In 2003 the Panthers and Carolinas HealthCare Foundation established
10434-480: The Divisional round and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. However, the Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII by a score of 43–8, the Broncos' first Super Bowl berth since winning back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998 . Prior to the start of the 2014 season , the Broncos announced that Pat Bowlen , the team's owner since 1984 , relinquished control of
10575-499: The Divisional round of the playoffs. Quarterback Peyton Manning had been playing with strained quadriceps for the final month of the 2014 season. On January 12, 2015, one day after the divisional playoff loss to the Colts, the Broncos and head coach John Fox mutually agreed to part ways. Fox left the Broncos with a .719 winning percentage in his four seasons as the Broncos' head coach—the highest in franchise history. One week later,
10716-412: The Divisional round. In March 2012, the Broncos reached an agreement on a five-year, $ 96 million contract with former longtime Indianapolis Colts ' quarterback Peyton Manning , who had recently missed the entire 2011 season following multiple neck surgeries. This resulted in the Broncos subsequently trading incumbent quarterback Tim Tebow to the New York Jets . The Broncos finished with
10857-467: The Falcons and Buccaneers. The Falcons are a natural geographic rival for the Panthers, as Atlanta is only 230 miles (370 km) south on I-85 . The two teams have played each other twice a year since the Panthers' inception, and games between the two teams feature large numbers of the visiting team's fans. As of the 2023 season, the Falcons lead the all-time series 36–22. The teams have never met in
10998-534: The Keep Pounding Fund, a fundraising initiative to support cancer research and patient support programs. The Panthers community has raised more than $ 1.4 million for the fund through direct donations, charity auctions, blood drives, and an annual 5k stadium run. The Panthers and Levine Children's Hospital coordinate monthly hospital visits and VIP game-day experiences for terminally ill or hospitalized children. In addition to these team-specific efforts,
11139-447: The NFL record for most Super Bowl losses (5 – tied with the New England Patriots ). The Broncos have nine primary members enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame : John Elway , Floyd Little , Shannon Sharpe , Gary Zimmerman , Terrell Davis , Champ Bailey , Steve Atwater , and Randy Gradishar , along with late club owner Pat Bowlen . According to Forbes , the Broncos are valued at $ 4.65 billion in July 2022 making them
11280-475: The Panthers finished with an 11–5 record and a #5 seed. However, they lost to the New Orleans Saints 31–26 in the Wild Card Round, their first loss in that round in franchise history. On May 16, 2018, David Tepper , formerly a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers , finalized an agreement to purchase the Panthers. The sale price was nearly $ 2.3 billion, a record. The agreement was approved by
11421-547: The Panthers introduced the Keep Pounding Drum, inspired by the aforementioned motivational speech by Sam Mills before the team's 2004 playoff game against the Cowboys. Prior to each home game, an honorary drummer hits the six-foot-tall drum four times to signify the four quarters of an American football game. According to the team, the drummers "come from a variety of backgrounds and occupations, but all have overcome
11562-477: The Panthers organization. In order to prevent people from seeing inside the field while the team is practicing, the team has added "strategically planted trees and a tarp over the ... fence surrounding the fields". Additionally, they employ a security team to watch for and chase away any people who stop alongside the fence surrounding the field. In the event of bad weather, the team moves their practices to an indoor sports facility about 10 miles (16 km) from
11703-515: The Panthers participate in a number of regular initiatives promoted by the NFL and USA Football , the league's youth football development partner. These include USA Football Month, held throughout August to encourage and promote youth football; A Crucial Catch, the league's Breast Cancer Awareness Month program; Salute to Service, held throughout November to support military families and personnel; and PLAY 60, which encourages young NFL fans to be active for at least 60 minutes each day. Radio coverage
11844-444: The Panthers to fire Seifert. One highlight from the loss-ridden 2001 season was the drafting of future franchise wide receiver Steve Smith . He was a third-round selection in the 2001 NFL draft by the team. After the NFL's expansion to 32 teams in 2002, the Panthers were relocated from the NFC West to the newly created NFC South division. The Panthers' rivalries with the Falcons and Saints were maintained, and they would be joined by
11985-411: The Super Bowl in 2015 but lost to the Denver Broncos . Since then, the team has appeared in the playoffs only once, in 2017 . The team's five NFC South titles since the division's establishment in 2002 rank second only to the New Orleans Saints . The franchise is legally registered as Panther Football, LLC and are controlled by David Tepper , whose purchase of the team from founder Jerry Richardson
12126-413: The ball over six times. Delhomme's struggles carried over into the 2009 season , where he threw 18 interceptions in the first 11 games before breaking a finger in his throwing hand. The Panthers were at a 4–7 record before Delhomme's season-ending injury, and his backup, Matt Moore , led the team to a 4–1 finish to the season for an 8–8 overall record. In 2010 , after releasing Delhomme in
12267-410: The best Super Bowls of all time, and in the opinion of Charlotte-based NPR reporter Scott Jagow, the Panthers' Super Bowl appearance represented the arrival of Charlotte onto the national scene. Following a 1–7 start in 2004, the Panthers rebounded to win six of their last seven games despite losing 14 players for the season due to injury. They lost their last game to New Orleans , finishing
12408-402: The fan atmosphere to the team's newness when compared to the established basketball fanbase. They also observed that the stadium has scattered parking lots, each of which has a different tailgating style. Some have fried chicken , pork , or Carolina-style barbecue , while others have live bands and televisions. Pickup football games in the parking lots are common. The Carolina Panthers have
12549-407: The final four games of the 2010 season. He chose to start rookie first-round draft choice Tim Tebow at quarterback for the final three games. Following the 2010 season , Joe Ellis was promoted from chief operating officer to team president, while John Elway returned to the organization as the team's executive vice president of football operations. In addition, the Broncos hired John Fox as
12690-562: The first Hardee's restaurant in Spartanburg, SC, eventually expanding to a chain of franchises as co-founder of Spartan Food Systems before becoming president and CEO of Flagstar . Richardson drew his inspiration to pursue an NFL franchise from George Shinn , who had made a successful bid for an expansion National Basketball Association (NBA) team in Charlotte, the Charlotte Hornets . Richardson founded Richardson Sports,
12831-656: The formal announcement of the team's plan for a new practice facility came on June 5, 2019. Rock Hill mayor John Gettys described the project at that time as the biggest in the city's history. Groundbreaking took place in July 2019, and it was expected to be completed by summer 2023. The agreement with Rock Hill, however, ended up being terminated on April 19, 2022, with owner David Tepper filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy . The Panthers are supported in both North Carolina and South Carolina; South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley declared July 30, 2012, "Carolina Panthers Day" in her state, saying that "when it comes to professional teams,
12972-557: The hiring of Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as head coach on January 27, 2022. The Broncos then announced on February 1, 2022, that they were now up for sale and that they would be parting ways with the Bowlen family, the former owners of the franchise. Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina . The Panthers compete in
13113-446: The hiring, new front-office executive John Elway was mostly responsible for the hiring. By late 2009, rumors had begun to emerge that Bowlen had stepped out of the spotlight because of short-term memory loss. He told The Denver Post columnist Woody Paige that his memory wasn't what it used to be and that he couldn't recall details of the Broncos back-to-back Super Bowl titles in the late 1990s. Starting in 2010, Bowlen no longer played
13254-487: The idea, and the team supported the concept as a way to expose newer fans to the legacy of Mills, who died of cancer in 2005. Mills had introduced the phrase, which has since become a team slogan, in a speech that he gave to the players and coaches prior to their 2003 playoff game against Dallas; in the speech, Mills compared his fight against cancer with the team's on-field battle, saying "When I found out I had cancer, there were two things I could do – quit or keep pounding. I'm
13395-453: The inaugural season of the Panthers, the team had an official fight song , which the team played before each home game. The song, "Stand and Cheer", remains the team's official fight song, but the team does not typically play it before home games. Due to negative fan reaction "Stand and Cheer" was pulled in 1999. Since 2006, the song has returned. The team plays Neil Diamond 's " Sweet Caroline " after home victories. A "keep pounding" chant
13536-648: The interim head coach, as the Panthers would finish the season with a 7–10 record. On January 26, 2023, former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich was hired as head coach. Reich was the first starting QB in Panthers history in 1995. Prior to the draft, the Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears to move up to the first overall pick. The trade involved Carolina swapping spots with the Bears and giving up their 2023 second-round pick, 2024 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, and wide receiver D. J. Moore. In
13677-535: The league owners on May 22, 2018. The sale officially closed on July 9, 2018. After starting 6–2, the Panthers finished the 2018 season 7–9. They began the 2019 season 5–3 but lost the last eight games to finish 5–11; late in the season, Tepper fired Rivera as head coach. Perry Fewell finished the season as interim coach, going 0–4. The 2019 season was marred with a season-ending injury to Cam Newton, who only played in two games that year. The Panthers turned to Kyle Allen and Will Grier at quarterback after Newton
13818-546: The league's 29th franchise in 1993 and began play in 1995 under founding owner Jerry Richardson . The Panthers played well in their first two years, finishing 7–9 in 1995 (an all-time best record for an NFL expansion team's first season) and 12–4 the following year, winning the NFC West before ultimately losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game. They did not have another winning season until 2003 when they won
13959-413: The most physical contests in recent memory". The rivalry has resulted in a number of severe injuries for players on both teams, some of which were caused by foul play. One of these plays, an illegal hit on Tampa Bay punt returner Clifton Smith , sparked a brief melee between the teams in 2009. As of 2023, the Panthers lead the all-time series 25–22. The two teams have never met in the postseason. As of
14100-426: The newest and were introduced in 2002. NFL regulations allow the team to use the blue jersey up to two times in any given season. In all other games, the team must wear either their white or black jerseys; in NFL games, the home team decides whether to wear a dark or white jersey, while the away team wears the opposite. Usually the Panthers opt for white or blue when the weather is expected to be hot and for black when
14241-467: The next week, after losing at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game, 34–17. The Broncos' defense began the first five games of the 2006 season allowing only one touchdown — an NFL record that still stands. ESPN commentator and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Theismann gave the 2006 defense the name "Bad Blue" on Monday Night Football as they played the Ravens. However,
14382-426: The offseason, the Panthers finished with a league-worst ( 2–14 ) record; their offense was the worst in the league. John Fox's contract expired after the season ended, and the team did not retain him or his staff. The team hired Ron Rivera to replace Fox as head coach and drafted Auburn 's Heisman Trophy -winning quarterback Cam Newton with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft . The Panthers opened
14523-565: The only player in the Hall of Honor for over 20 years, is the only player to have had his jersey number (#51) retired by the Panthers as of 2016 . The Panthers have three open-air fields next to Bank of America Stadium where they currently hold their practices; during the 1995 season, when the team played their home games in South Carolina, the team held their practices at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina . Because
14664-592: The onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease . Bowlen was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin to American mother Arvella (née Woods) and Canadian father Paul Dennis Bowlen, who became a millionaire in the Canadian oil business, founding Regent Drilling as a wildcatter . The oil company is now owned by his brother John. Bowlen was Catholic and spent his childhood in Alberta . He then attended Campion High School ,
14805-414: The originals. In 2022, after the NFL reinstated the use of alternate helmets, the Panthers unveiled secondary black helmets, which featured no white elements on the team logo. The Panthers played their first season at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina , as their facility in uptown Charlotte was still under construction. Ericsson Stadium, called Bank of America Stadium since 2004, opened in
14946-448: The outline of both North Carolina and South Carolina. The Panthers changed their logo and logotype in 2012, the first such change in team history. According to the team, the changes were designed to give their logo an "aggressive, contemporary look" as well as to give it a more three-dimensional feel. The primary tweaks were made in the eye and mouth, where the features, particularly the muscular brow and fangs, are more pronounced, creating
15087-417: The postseason. The Panthers' rivalry with Tampa Bay has been described as the most intense in the NFC South. The rivalry originated in 2002 with the formation of the NFC South, but became particularly heated before the 2003 season with verbal bouts between players on the two teams. It escalated further when the Panthers went to Tampa Bay and beat them in what ESPN.com writer Pat Yasinskas described as "one of
15228-400: The practice fields, along with the stadium, are located in uptown Charlotte, the fields are directly visible from skyscrapers as well as from a four-story condominium located across the street. According to Mike Cranston, a running joke said that the Panthers' division rivals had pooled their resources to purchase a room on the building's top floor and that a fire at the condominium was caused by
15369-417: The road, but lost key players Julius Peppers , a defensive end , and DeShaun Foster , a running back , who were both injured during the game. The Panthers were then defeated 34–14 by the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, ending their season. Although the Panthers went into the 2006 season as favorites to win the NFC South and the free agent signing of Keyshawn Johnson , they finished with
15510-547: The same season, Cam Newton was named NFL MVP . The Panthers also secured their third consecutive NFC South championship, as well as their first overall top-seeded playoff berth. In the 2015–16 playoffs , the Panthers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional playoffs, 31–24, after shutting them out in the first half, 31–0, and the Arizona Cardinals , 49–15, in the NFC Championship Game to advance to Super Bowl 50 , their first Super Bowl appearance since
15651-695: The second-worst in the league in yards gained. Prior to the 2003 season, the team signed quarterback Jake Delhomme. The Panthers improved to 11–5 in the 2003 regular season , winning the NFC South. The Panthers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 29–10 in the Wild Card Round, the St. Louis Rams 29–23 in the Divisional Round, and the Philadelphia Eagles 14–3 in the NFC Championship. They advanced to Super Bowl XXXVIII before losing to
15792-525: The stadium's three main entrances; they are the largest sculptures ever commissioned in the United States. The names of the team's original PSL owners are engraved on the base of each statue. The first two people in the Panthers Hall of Honor, team executive Mike McCormack and linebacker Sam Mills, are honored with life-sized bronze statues outside the stadium. Mills, in addition to being
15933-492: The stadium. The team does not own this facility. The Panthers have hosted their annual training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina , since 1995. The Panthers were planning on building a $ 1 billion team headquarters and training facility on a 240-acre (0.97 km ) in Rock Hill, South Carolina , nicknamed "The Rock". After six months of discussions and state approval of $ 115 million in incentives,
16074-511: The starting quarterback spot during the off-season and preseason. Prior to the regular season , Sanchez was released and Siemian was named the starter. The Broncos finished the season 9–7 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010. On January 2, 2017, coach Gary Kubiak announced his retirement, citing health as the main reason for retiring. The Broncos hired Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph as head coach on January 11, 2017. The Broncos finished 5–11 in 2017 as
16215-496: The structure of the Bowlen-Elway deal did not violate the original right of first refusal agreement. On December 30, 2008, Broncos head coach and vice president of football operations Mike Shanahan was fired by Bowlen after a 14-year tenure as the head coach. Bowlen stated he wanted his team to go in a different direction. Bowlen searched for a new head coach over a two-week period and eventually chose Josh McDaniels , who at
16356-425: The summer of 1996. The stadium was specially designed by HOK Sports Facilities Group for football and also serves as the headquarters and administrative offices of the Panthers. On some days, the stadium offers public tours for a fee. Private tours for groups are offered for a fee seven days a week, though there are some exceptions, and such tours must be arranged in advance. Two bronze panther statues flank each of
16497-416: The team due to his battle with Alzheimer's disease , resulting in team president Joe Ellis and general manager John Elway assuming control of the team. The Broncos finished the 2014 season with a 12–4 record and the AFC's No. 2 seed. However, the Broncos were defeated by the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional round of the 2014 playoffs , marking the third time in four seasons that the Broncos lost in
16638-408: The team in 1984, the Broncos briefly held the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the National Football League (334 wins, 212 losses, and 1 tie, for a .612 winning percentage), passing the San Francisco 49ers after the 2015 season. At the time of Bowlen's death, the New England Patriots had surpassed that figure. Besides being owner and CEO of the Broncos, Bowlen was also part-owner of
16779-437: The team struggled down the season stretch. Plummer led the team to a 7–2 record, but struggled individually with inconsistent performance and more interceptions than touchdown passes. As a result, he would be replaced by rookie quarterback Jay Cutler . Cutler went 2–3 as a starter, and the Broncos finished with a 9–7 record, losing the tiebreaker to the Kansas City Chiefs for the final playoff spot. Cutler's first full season as
16920-490: The team to Joe Ellis in 2014 . Dan Reeves became the youngest head coach (37) in the NFL when he joined the Broncos in 1981 as vice president and head coach . Quarterback John Elway , who played college football at Stanford , arrived in 1983 via a trade. Originally drafted by the Baltimore Colts as the first pick of the draft , Elway proclaimed that he would shun football in favor of baseball (he
17061-412: The team to an 8–8 record in 1999 . The team finished 7–9 in 2000 and fell to 1–15 in 2001 , winning their first game but losing their last 15. This performance tied the NFL record for most losses in a single season, and it broke the record held by the winless 1976 Buccaneers for most consecutive losses in a single season (both records have since been broken by the 2008 Lions ), leading
17202-439: The team's 14th head coach . Fox previously served as the Carolina Panthers ' head coach from 2002 to 2010. Following a 1–4 start to the 2011 season , Tim Tebow replaced Kyle Orton as the Broncos' starting quarterback , and "Tebow Time" was born. Tebow led the Broncos with toughness, determination and miraculous come-from-behind victories which gave the Broncos hope and were the catalyst for better things to come. Tebow led
17343-616: The third and final game was held at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina . The matchups were between existing NFL teams. In 1991, the group formally filed an application for the open expansion spot, and on October 26, 1993, the 28 NFL owners unanimously named the Carolina Panthers as the 29th member of the NFL. In the 1995 NFL Draft, the Panthers selected quarterback Kerry Collins out of Penn State with their first ever draft selection. The Panthers first competed in
17484-510: The time was the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots . Subsequently, after a losing streak in the 2010 season, McDaniels was fired as head coach of the Broncos. On February 12, 2009, Bowlen appointed Brian Xanders as the team's sole general manager and fired Jim and Jeff Goodman. Within two weeks of the end of the 2010–11 regular season, Bowlen and the Broncos had hired former Carolina Panthers ' coach John Fox to be their new head coach. Although Bowlen had discussions with Fox before
17625-480: The twelfth most-valuable team in the NFL. The Denver Broncos were founded on August 14, 1959, when minor league baseball owner Bob Howsam was awarded an American Football League (AFL) charter franchise. The Broncos won the first-ever AFL game over the Boston Patriots 13–10, on September 9, 1960 . Seven years later on August 5, 1967 , they became the first-ever AFL team to defeat an NFL team, with
17766-419: The weather is expected to be cold. The Panthers typically pair their white jerseys with white pants and blue socks, while the black and blue jerseys are paired with silver pants and black socks; there have only been a few exceptions to these combinations. The first such instance was in 1998 when the team paired their white jerseys with silver pants in a game against the Indianapolis Colts . The second instance
17907-524: Was a member of the University of Denver Board of Trustees and contributed to the funding of the Pat Bowlen Athletic Training Center located on the school's campus. He also contributed significantly to the local Denver Boys & Girls Club chapters. On June 13, 2019, Bowlen died of a pulmonary embolism . Under terms set prior to Bowlen's death, Joe Ellis led a three-person trust representing his estate. Bowlen's intent
18048-623: Was drafted by the New York Yankees to play center field and was also a pitching prospect), unless he was traded to a selected list of other teams, which included the Broncos. Prior to Elway, the Broncos had over 24 different starting quarterbacks in its 23 seasons to that point. Reeves and Elway guided the Broncos to six post-season appearances, five AFC West divisional titles, three AFC championships and three Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowl XXI, XXII and XXIV) during their 12-year span together. The Broncos lost Super Bowl XXI to
18189-476: Was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Broncos. On October 31, 2021, Peyton Manning (who won two AFC Championships, Super Bowl 50 , and an NFL MVP during his four seasons as a Bronco) was inducted to the Broncos' Ring of Fame during a game against Washington . On November 1, 2021, the Broncos traded franchise legend Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for
18330-478: Was fired, the Broncos hired former New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as the team's new head coach. Three months later, the team acquired quarterback Kyle Orton as part of a trade that sent Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears . Under McDaniels and Orton, the Broncos jumped out to a surprising 6–0 start in 2009 . However, the team lost eight of their next ten games, finishing 8–8 for
18471-557: Was for his seven children to inherit the franchise, though he did not specify which of them would have first right. Denver Broncos National Football League ( 1970 –present) The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver . The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team
18612-486: Was in 2012 during a game against the Denver Broncos when they paired their black jerseys with new black pants; this created an all-black uniform, with the exception of blue socks and silver helmets. The decision to wear blue socks was made by team captain Steve Smith , who felt the blue socks gave the uniforms a more distinct appearance compared with other teams that have all-black uniforms. The all-black uniforms won
18753-524: Was instrumental in keeping the team in Denver, due to his signing in 1967 as well as his Pro Bowl efforts on and off the field. The Broncos were the only original AFL team that never played in the title game, as well as the only original AFL team never to have a winning season while a member of the AFL during the upstart league's 10-year history. In 1972, the Broncos hired former Stanford University coach John Ralston as their head coach . In 1973 , he
18894-608: Was introduced during the 2012 season which starts before the opening kickoff of each home game. As prompted by the video boards, one side of the stadium shouts "keep" and the other side replies with "pounding". The chant is similar to ones that take place at college football games. The Carolina Panthers support a variety of non-profits in North and South Carolina through the Carolina Panthers Charities. Four annual scholarships are awarded to student athletes through
19035-597: Was named the first head coach. The Panthers played their first regular season game in Week 1 of the 1995 season. The team fell to the Atlanta Falcons 23–20 in overtime. After a 0–5 start, with three close losses, the Panthers won their first game in franchise history, a 26–15 win over the New York Jets. The team finished its inaugural season 7–9 , the best performance ever from a first-year expansion team. They performed even better in their second season, finishing with
19176-406: Was out. On January 7, 2020, the Panthers hired Baylor head coach Matt Rhule as head coach. On January 15, 2020, Luke Kuechly announced his retirement from the league. On March 17, 2020, the Panthers signed Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year $ 63 million contract. On March 24, the Carolina Panthers released their 2011 first overall pick and 2015 MVP quarterback Cam Newton . The Panthers had
19317-442: Was said to be $ 70 million, making the Broncos the highest-priced franchise in the league at the time. From 1999 to 2008, Bowlen and the Broncos were involved in several legal battles against former owner Edgar Kaiser Jr. In 1998, Bowlen agreed to sell retired football legend John Elway a share in the team. When Bowlen let the existence of the offer slip out to Kaiser while both were at the 1999 Bohemian Grove , Kaiser sued, claiming
19458-584: Was the UPI 's AFC Coach of the Year, after Denver achieved its first winning season at 7–5–2. In five seasons with the Broncos, Ralston guided the team to three winning seasons. Though Ralston finished the 1976 season with a 9–5 record, the team, as was the case in Ralston's previous winning seasons, still missed the playoffs. Following the season, several prominent players publicly voiced their discontent with Ralston, which soon led to his resignation. Red Miller ,
19599-515: Was the most difficult color to choose. The team's uniform has remained largely the same since its creation, with only minor alterations, such as changing the sock color of the team's black uniforms from blue to black and changing the team's shoes from white to black. Richardson, a self-described traditionalist, said that no major uniform changes would be made in his lifetime. The Panthers have three main jersey colors: black, white, and blue. Their blue jerseys, designated their alternate uniforms, are
19740-464: Was unanimously approved by league owners on May 22, 2018. The club, which Forbes valued at approximately US$ 2.3 billion in 2018, is estimated at $ 4.1 billion by it in 2023. On December 15, 1987, entrepreneur Jerry Richardson announced his bid for an NFL expansion franchise in the Carolinas . A North Carolina native, Richardson was a former wide receiver on the Baltimore Colts who had used his 1959 league championship bonus to co-franchise
19881-462: Was up and down, eventually finishing with a 6–10 record and placing third in the AFC West . Coupled with the 5–11 season in 2017 , the Broncos had back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1971 – 1972 . Shortly after the conclusion of the regular season, head coach Vance Joseph was fired after recording a poor 11–21 record in two seasons. On January 10, 2019, the Broncos hired Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to become
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