Fansided
Predominantly Orange

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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Jerry Rice, Denver Broncos
San Francisco 49’ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (L) hauls in a catch for his first touchdown catch as Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater tries to defend 15 December in San Francisco. It was Rice’s first touchdown catch after undergoing major knee surgery early in the season. AFP PHOTO/Andy KUNO (Photo by – / AFP) (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images) /

Jerry Rice, Wide receiver

Sure, it’s a bit of a stretch to include Jerry Rice on this list, since he never played in a regular-season game for the Broncos. But it is still the answer to a great trivia question. Where did Rice’s playing career end?

Technically, Denver.

The Broncos signed Rice ahead of the 2005 season following a year with the Seattle Seahawks where he posted moderate numbers for a guy that wasn’t a focal point of the offense. He figured that he might have one more good season left in him.

Rice was familiar with Shanahan from their days together in San Francisco and though he was over 40 years old at this time, if anyone could make it happen, it was the hard-working, dedicated Rice.

Rice did suit up for the Broncos for some preseason games, but it soon became clear that he wasn’t going to make the team. Rather than make Shanahan cut the greatest wide receiver to ever play in the league, Rice announced his retirement just before the start of the season.

Like all of the other players on this list, it’s a shame the Broncos weren’t able to get a portion of what they did in their playing careers. Still, it was fun to see them all get a shot with the Broncos and don the orange and blue uniforms before the sun set on their playing careers.

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