Talk about a Super Bowl moment: Jason Elam, #1 for the Denver Broncos, celebrated a field goal against the Green Bay Packers back in '98 during Super Bowl XXXII. The Broncos ended up taking that one 31-24. That kind of clutch performance is exactly why Elam is a no-brainer when folks talk about the all-time special teams legends in Denver.
Kicking Icons and Punting Prowess
Look, when you talk special teams for the Broncos, you gotta start with Elam. The guy played forever, was consistently good, and basically owns the team record book for kicking. He wasn't just good, he was a two-time Super Bowl champ, three-time All-Pro, Pro-Bowler, and he's in their Ring of Fame. One staffer even called him a "trend setter at kicker" and a "lock anytime he kicked." That's consistency you dream of. And don't forget Tom Rouen, the punter. He's an "obvious choice" for a reason. His punting ability stood out, and he had "amazingly flexible technique." Rouen was absolutely vital for field position during those Super Bowl years. And yeah, other kickers like Matt Prater and Brandon McManus got shout-outs too for their clutch kicks and leaving their own "stamps on the record books." When you've got multiple guys like that, you know the kicking game was serious.Return Kings and The Ultimate Utility Man
Then there are the return specialists, the guys who turn nothing into something. Rick Upchurch, another Ring of Famer, was a "terrific return specialist" who even flashed "impressive playmaking ability on offense." One writer called him "Devin Hester before Hester" which is high praise! More recently, Marvin Mims Jr. has only been around a few years, but he's already a "big play machine" with his "return skills." It's wild he's already making these lists, even with chatter that he's "likely gone after this season." But the real jaw-dropper? Gene Mingo. We're talking about a guy from the '60s who was a running back, a returner, and a kicker! He hit 72 of 119 field goals (60.5%) and 111 of 116 extra points (95.7%). Plus, he returned 18 punts for 214 yards, scoring a touchdown, and brought back 34 kickoffs for 742 yards. That's insane versatility. Trindon Holliday also got a nod for his return ability.The Glue Guy on Coverage
And you can't forget the unsung heroes, the guys doing the dirty work. Keith Burns is one of those names that fans still remember, even though he mainly covered on kickoffs and punts. That's how outstanding he was as a special teams captain. He was a "mainstay" during those back-to-back Super Bowl wins in the '90s. One person simply called him a "beast." These guys really make a difference, covering ground, making tackles, and setting up the offense. Picking a top five special teamers from all that history is tough, right? You've got your legendary kickers, your game-breaking returners, and the absolute warriors on coverage units. Each of these players left a serious mark on the Broncos. It really shows how many different ways a player can make history for their team.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.