Denver Broncos' announcement makes Week 5 much more than Raiders week

Travis Wakeman

•
Denver Broncos' announcement makes Week 5 much more than Raiders week image

The Denver Broncos have recently made some announcements that make long-term fans smile with pride. In addition to recently electing Riley Odoms and Steve Foley to the team's Ring of Fame, the Broncos have announced that they will recognize the entire 1977 team in Week 5. 

This is one to circle on your calendar. 

Week 5, which takes place on Sunday, October 6, will be a game against the hated Las Vegas Raiders. Not only will the Broncos be looking to snap an 8-game losing streak to the silver and black, but they will be honoring one of the best teams in franchise history. 

In addition to Odoms and Riley, the Broncos will bring back Randy Gradishar, one of the greatest defensive players in team history, set to go into Canton's Pro Football Hall of Fame this August. 

The 1977 Broncos had a storybook season. 

Under first-year head coach Red Miller, the Broncos finished 12-2 and made the playoffs for the first time in team history. Then on Christmas Eve, they defeated the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers 34-21 to win their first playoff game in team history. 

 

That sent them to the AFC Championship Game against none other than the then-Oakland Raiders. In one of the greatest wins in Broncos history, Denver defeated Oakland 20-17 to advance to Super Bowl XII. The fairy tale came to an end in that game played in New Orleans as the Broncos were soundly defeated by the Dallas Cowboys. 

However, it remains one of the most memorable seasons in team history and one of the breakthrough moments for the franchise. Though it took place nearly 50 years ago, it will be great for Broncos fans to see Gradishar, Odoms, Foley, the Orange Crush defense and the rest of this remarkable team celebrated on this day. 

The Broncos can make it an even bigger celebration if they can beat the Raiders for the first time in nearly five years. 

 

Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman Photo

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.