The Denver Broncos: Not Named After Your Grandpa's Cough Syrup (But Maybe They Should Be)
Ever wondered why the Denver Broncos are called the Broncos? You might think it's a reference to those rugged cowboys wrangling wild horses across the plains. Or maybe it's a subtle nod to the city's thriving rodeo scene (which, let's be honest, would be a pretty cool mascot). But nope, the answer is a little less...horse-y.
The Great Denver Nickname Showdown (Spoiler Alert: It Wasn't Very Great)
Back in 1959, Denver was gearing up for a brand new football team. They needed a name, something fierce and iconic, that captured the spirit of the Mile High City. Did they hold a city-wide design contest featuring majestic stallions rearing on their hind legs? Nope. Did they brainstorm for weeks, coming up with a shortlist of powerful animal names? Negative.
They held a fan contest, sure, but a whopping 162 entries trickled in. Out of those, a measly eight people suggested "Broncos." Ward M. Vining of Lakewood, Colorado, became the champion for his brief essay explaining why it was a good fit. Apparently, "Broncos are tough animals, exemplified the American West, and would be a great fit for a Denver football team."
Look, we appreciate brevity, Ward, but come on, couldn't you have thrown in a metaphor or two? Maybe something about Broncos being like a force of nature, trampling over opponents with their hooves of fury?
So Why Broncos Then?
Honestly, your guess is as good as ours. Maybe it rhymed with "longhorns," another contender in the nickname race (which, let's face it, sounds more like a brand of barbecue sauce than a fearsome football team). Maybe "Broncos" just had a nice ring to it.
Whatever the reason, the name stuck. And hey, it's grown on us. There's something undeniably cool about a team named after a wild horse, even if the origin story is a little lackluster.
FAQ: You Asked, We Answered (Kinda)
How to attend a Denver Broncos game? Channel your inner horse whisperer and hope they invite you. But seriously, check out their website for ticket information.
How to ride a real bronco? Don't. Unless you're a trained professional with excellent health insurance.
How to impress a Denver Broncos fan? Learn about the team's history and wear orange and blue with pride. Bonus points for knowing John Elway's middle name (Hint: it's Albert).
How to convince the Denver Broncos to change their name? Good luck. They seem pretty happy with the whole bronco thing.
How to come up with a better nickname for the Denver Broncos yourself? Now that's a question we can all get behind. Get creative and share your ideas in the comments!