Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Looking back at most unheralded players in team history

By Travis Wakeman

LOS ANGELES,CA-CIRCA 1986 Rulon Jones of the Denver Broncs against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1986 in Los Angeles,California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES,CA-CIRCA 1986 Rulon Jones of the Denver Broncs against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1986 in Los Angeles,California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
Denver Broncos, Steve Foley
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 25: Linebacker Karl Mecklenburg #77 and defensive back Steve Foley #43 of the Denver Broncos take down running back Lee Rouson #23 of the New York Giants during Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl on January 25, 1987 in Pasadena, California. The Giants won 39-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

Steve Foley

Quick, who is the Broncos’ all-time leader in interceptions? It’s not Goose Gonsoulin. It’s not Champ Bailey. It’s not Billy Thompson or Chris Harris.

The answer is Steve Foley.

Foley finished his career in Denver with 44 interceptions, a mark that still tops the list today. He was a true ballhawk and a great player on one of the best defensive units the NFL ever saw.

Foley played with the Broncos’ “Orange Crush” defense that helped the team reach its first Super Bowl ever in the 1977 season.

Born in New Orleans, Foley played at Tulane in college before being selected in the eighth round of the 1975 draft. Before coming to Denver, he played one season the World Football League for the Jacksonville Express.

He would spend the next 11 seasons in Denver and though he was only selected to play in one Pro Bowl, he put together an excellent career in Denver.

That said, the Broncos have a long line of great defensive backs but Foley’s name is rarely mentioned among them. Whether people just don’t feel he was good enough or they have largely forgotten about him is anyone’s guess.

But his name should be mentioned among them.

Home/Broncos All-Time Lists