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Broncos: 5 NFL legends that played just one season in Denver

By Travis Wakeman

17 Oct 1999: Ty Law #24 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots 31-30.
17 Oct 1999: Ty Law #24 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots 31-30. /
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SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 15: Ian Gold #52 of the Denver Broncos confronts Garrison Hearst #20 of the San Francisco 49ers during the game at Candlestick Park on September 15, 2002, in San Francisco, California. The Broncos won 24-14. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 15: Ian Gold #52 of the Denver Broncos confronts Garrison Hearst #20 of the San Francisco 49ers during the game at Candlestick Park on September 15, 2002, in San Francisco, California. The Broncos won 24-14. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

Garrison Hearst, Running back

The No. 3 overall pick of the 1993 draft, Garrison Hearst had a roller-coaster kind of playing career that wound up in Denver.

Hearst was an absolute stud in college, nearly winning the Heisman Trophy after posting incredible numbers during his playing days in Georgia. He was drafted by the Cardinals and had a really slow start to his career before cracking 1,000 yards rushing in 1995.

After playing for one season with the Cincinnati Bengals, Hearst found the place where he would have his most success, San Francisco.

But that wouldn’t come easily.

After two huge seasons with the 49ers, including the 1998 season where he went over 1,500 yards and went to the Pro Bowl, Hearst suffered a severe ankle injury that cost him two full seasons of his career.

With doubts that he would ever play again, Hearst came back in 2001 and showed true heart in becoming the league’s Comeback Player of the Year. After two more decent seasons there, he signed with the Broncos as a free agent in 2004.

The Broncos never got any shred of that version of Hearst and he just wasn’t a good fit for the team.

Mike Shanahan saw him as a third-down back, but Hearst never settled into that role and finished the season with just 81 yards rushing on 20 carries. It was a quiet end to an otherwise impressive career, considering the circumstances.

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