Dave Casper of the Oakland Raiders takes a pass in the end zone from quarterback Ken Stabler for the final Oakland touchdown in their 20-17 loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 1977 in Denver. Tom Jackson of the Broncos is the defender. (AP Photo)Denver Broncos running back Otis Armstrong (24) goes into end zone on one leg as he scores against Pittsburgh Steelers in Saturday’s AFC Playoff Game in Denver on Dec. 24, 1977. Steelers safety Glen Edwards misses flying tackle. (AP Photo)The football bounces off Denver Broncos’ Louis Wright (20) as Wright and Tom Jackson double protected against catches by Steelers Lynn Swann (88) during AFC playoff game on Saturday, Dec. 31, 1978 at Pittsburgh. Because Swann was doubled, John Stallworth was covered man-to-man and was able to catch 10 passes good for 156 yards. Steelers won, 33-10. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)Pittsburgh Steeler Terry Bradshaw (12), firmly set up in protection pocket by teammates, fires pass in recent game against San Francisco 49ers, Dec. 30, 1978. Bradshaw will lead his Steelers teammates against the Denver Broncos in an NFL playoff game. Providing the protection for Bradshaw are guard Steve Courson (77), and Tackle Jon Kolb (55). Other Steeler defenders are not identified. Number 86 is Cedrick Hardman of the 49ers. (AP Photo)Bill Thompson of the Denver Broncos flings Lynn Swann (88) of the Pittsburgh Steelers to the turf after Swann caught a pass late in the AFC playoff game in Pittsburgh, Pa., Dec. 30, 1978. Denver said Swann was pulled back from the goal line before crossing, but officials allowed the touchdown. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)Steelers’ quarterback Terry Bradshaw (12) is hit from behind by Denver Broncos’ Randy Gradishar (53) and Bob Swenson during AFC Playoff game, Dec. 30, 1978 in Pittsburgh. Bradshaw had just released a successful pass to Lynn Swann. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)Denver Broncos Bill Thompson swings Steelers Lynn Swann (88) around after Swann collected pass from Terry Bradshaw late in AFC playoff game in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 30, 1978. Broncos claimed that Swann had not crossed into the endzone before being dragged back by Thompson. (AP Photo/ Paul Vathis)Denver Broncos’ Charlie West (40) with a leg and hand trips up Houston Oilers’ Richard Ellender (85) as he returned a punt in the second quarter of the NFL playoff game at Houston, Sunday, Dec. 24, 1979. Houston won the game 13-7. (AP Photo)Houston Oilers Vernon Perry (32) jumps with joy as Denver Broncos kicker Fred Steinfort (19) and holder Norris Weese (14) react to the missed fourth quarter field goal that hit the upright. Houston won the playoff game by a score of 13-7, Sunday, Dec. 26, 1979 in Houston. (AP Photo)Running back Earl Campbell (34) of the Houston Oilers lunges over the goal line for a three yard touchdown as Bob Swenson (51) and Bernard Jackson (29) of the Denver Broncos try to stop him during the second quarter of the NFL playoff game in Houston, Texas, Dec. 23, 1979. Campbell was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky)Denver Broncos’ Jim Jensen (30) jumps the out stretched leg of Houston Oilers’ Ted Washington (59) in the second quarter of the NFL playoff game at Houston Sunday, Dec. 23, 1979 to pick up six yards. (AP Photo)Denver Broncos’ Otis Armstrong (24), runs into heavy traffic as he tries his right tackle slot in the first quarter of the AFC playoff game at Houston, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 23, 1979. Armstrong picked up three yards before he was stopped by Houston Oilers’ Perry Vernon (32) and Greg Bingham (54). (AP Photo)Houston Oilers’ running back Ronnie Coleman (47) stretches out for a Dan Pastorini pass during the first quarter, for a 41 yard gain in the NFL playoff game, against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 23, 1979 at Houston. Coming up late are Broncos Tom Jackson (57) and Bernard Jackson (29). (AP Photo)Seattle Seahawk Don Dufek, (35), is called for a face mask penalty as he attempts to tackle running back Sammy Winder, (23), of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of their NFL wildcard Playoff Game in the Kingdome in Seattle, on Saturday, Dec. 24, 1983. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)

Denver Broncos running back Sammy Winder (23) pulls away from Clevelands David Grayson (56) as Winder heads for the endzone on a 20-yard touchdown reception. The TD put Denver ahead 38 to 31 and they went on to win the AFC Championship game 38 to 33, Jan. 17, 1988 in Denver. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)Denver quarterback John Elway (7) is tripped up by Cleveland’s Sam Clancy after Elway picked up first down yardage during the AFC Championship game in Denver, Jan. 18, 1988. Elway completed 14 of 26 passes and threw three for touchdowns as Denver defeated Cleveland 38-33. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar cocks his arm to throw during the second quarter of the AFC Championship game in Denver, Jan. 17, 1988. At right is Denver Broncos Karl Mecklenburg tries to get past Cleveland’s Cody Risien (63). (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)Cleveland Browns Earnest Byner (44) carries the ball to the goal line in the third period, Jan. 17, 1988 at Denver to score for the team. In the background is Denver’s Karl Mecklenburg. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)Denver Broncos Gene Lang (33) congratulates teammate Sammy Winder (23) after Winder pulled in a 20-yard touchdown pass that gave Denver a 38-31 lead in AFC Championship game at Denver, Jan. 18, 1988. Denver went on to defeat Cleveland 38-33 to earn a trip to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)Denver Broncos Gerald Willhite (47) is knocked through the air by Cleveland Browns Ray Ellis (24) and Chris Rockins (37) on an attempted pass in the first quarter of the AFC championship game on Sunday, Jan. 11, 1987 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) eludes Cleveland Browns defender Reggie Camp as he scrambles out of the pocket near the end zone Jan. 11, 1987 in the second quarter of the AFC Chamionship game in Cleveland. Denver scored in the series of downs. (AP Photo/Gene Pushkar)

Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) is stopped New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib (31) during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL playoff football game in Denver, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Denver Broncos wide receiver Andre Caldwell (12) leads the huddle during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL playoff football game against the New England Patriots in Denver, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)FILE – In this Jan. 11, 2015, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning stretches prior to the team’s NFL divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Denver. A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that Manning will return for a fourth season in Denver and 18th in the NFL. Manning will reduce his salary from $19 million to $15 million in 2015, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. However, he can make up all of the $4 million pay cut by reaching certain performance benchmarks. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning looks to throw against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jonathan Newsome, left, reaches in to force Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning fumble during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, left, pulls in a touchdown pass as Indianapolis Colts free safety LaRon Landry defends during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Erik Walden (93) during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, in Denver. The Colts won 24-13 to advance to the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)FILE – In this Jan. 12, 2014, file photo, Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey (24) breaks off the line-of-scrimmage during the first quarter of an NFL AFC divisional playoff football game against the San Diego Chargers in Denver. Bailey will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)FILE – Denver Broncos fans cheer as the AFC championship NFL football playoff game between the Broncos and the New England Patriots was about to start, Jan. 19, 2014, in Denver. The Walton family has won the bidding to purchase the Broncos in the most expensive deal for a sports franchise anywhere in the world.
The Broncos announced late Tuesday night, June 7, 2022, that they had entered into a sale agreement with the Walton-Penner ownership group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, his daughter, Carrie Walton Penner, and her husband, Greg Penner. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22), right, celebrates after scoring during the second half in an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, left, pushes off Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Brandon Boykin during the first half in an NFL football divisional playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)FILE – In this Jan 19, 2014 file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning calls out a play during the second half of the AFC championship NFL playoff football game against the New England Patriots in Denver. Unless Manning changes his habits, the Super Bowl-watching world will get to hear “Omaha!” again and again this Sunday. The Denver Broncos quarterback’s word choice at the line of scrimmage has cast a bright light on the Midwestern city over the past few weeks. Omaha has been mentioned thousands of times on Twitter and in media stories, and been visited by everyone from ESPN to the NFL Network. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) greets Denver Broncos strong safety Omar Bolden (31) after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, in Denver. The Colts won 24-13 to advance to the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) leaps for an onside kick by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth quarter of an NFL AFC division playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, in Denver. San Diego recovered the kick. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (27) sidesteps San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) in the second quarter of an NFL AFC division playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)