1960 - Denver Broncos 1960: Team Formation in AFL

Denver Broncos 1960: Team Formation and AFL Origins

In the Denver Broncos 1960 timeline, the franchise was born as one of the eight original charter members of the American Football League. The story started in 1959 when Bob Howsam, owner of the minor-league Denver Bears baseball team, found himself in financial trouble. He had expanded Bears Stadium to 34,000 seats hoping Denver would land a team in the proposed Continental League. When that league collapsed, Howsam was left with a stadium too big for minor-league baseball and a heavy debt load.

Bob Howsam’s Bold Move to Bring Pro Football to Denver

Howsam first tried to secure an expansion franchise from the NFL, but league owners — led by Chicago Bears owner George Halas — turned him down. Rather than give up, Howsam joined forces with other rejected cities and helped create a rival league. On August 14, 1959, the American Football League was announced, with Denver as one of its founding teams. Howsam became the original owner, and the group of AFL owners even jokingly called themselves the “Foolish Club” for daring to challenge the established NFL.

The Naming Contest That Created the Broncos

Early on, the new Denver team needed an identity. A 1960 “name-the-team” contest was held across the state. Hundreds of entries poured in, and after careful review by Howsam and a panel of judges, “Broncos” was selected as the winner. The name was submitted by Ward M. Vining of Lakewood, Colorado, who wrote a 25-word essay explaining that a bronco represented the toughness and spirit of the American West — a perfect fit for a Denver football team. The nickname stuck immediately and has remained unchanged ever since.

First Leadership and Inaugural Season

Dean Griffing was hired as the first general manager, and Frank Filchock became the inaugural head coach. The Denver Broncos played their first season in 1960 at Bears Stadium (later renamed Mile High Stadium). Like most expansion teams, the Broncos struggled on the field, finishing with a 4-9-1 record. Despite the rough start, the Denver Broncos 1960 team formation laid the foundation for a franchise that would eventually become a cornerstone of the NFL after the 1970 merger.

Why the 1960 Formation Matters

The birth of the Denver Broncos in 1960 was more than just another expansion story. It represented Denver’s determination to join the ranks of professional football when the NFL had passed them over. Bob Howsam’s vision and the creation of the AFL not only brought pro football to the Rocky Mountains but also forced the NFL to expand and compete. That competitive spirit helped shape the modern NFL we know today.

From those humble and challenging beginnings in 1960, the Broncos grew into a beloved franchise with a passionate fan base known as the “Orange Crush” and multiple Super Bowl appearances in later decades.