Do any Broncos players know they are connected to an historic sports event Monday night?
On Sept. 9, 1960 — 59 years ago — the Broncos played — and won — the team’s first game.
History for the Broncos, history for the league. The game was the first ever in the newly formed American Football League.
The Broncos, coached by Frank Filchock, beat the New England Patriots 13-10 in dimly-lit Nickerson Field in Boston.
The game was highlighted by quarterback Frank Tripucka’s 59-yard touchdown pass to Al Carmichael (the first touchdown pass in AFL history) and Gene Mingo’s exciting 76-yard touchdown run on a punt return.