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Denver Broncos: 5 forgotten quarterbacks in team’s history

By Travis Wakeman

Denver Broncos' quarterback Bubby Brister argues a call with the referees during second quarter action against the San Diego Chargers 08 November at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Co. The Broncos won 27-10. AFP PHOTO/Mark LEFFINGWELL (Photo by MARK LEFFINGWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Denver Broncos' quarterback Bubby Brister argues a call with the referees during second quarter action against the San Diego Chargers 08 November at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Co. The Broncos won 27-10. AFP PHOTO/Mark LEFFINGWELL (Photo by MARK LEFFINGWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 24: Denver Broncos fans cheer and make noise in the second half of the game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 24, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Ken Karcher

Who? Exactly. Ken Karcher’s time in Denver was so unremarkable that we couldn’t even find a picture of him. So who was he?

Karcher came out of Tulane in 1986 as an undrafted free agent. He failed to make the team and then failed to make the roster of the New Orleans Saints the following year. But later during the 1987 season, the league endured a players strike that lasted a little over three weeks.

During that time, teams continued to play with replacement players on the field. The Broncos brought Karcher back to serve as the team’s QB. During those three starts, Karcher lef the Broncos to two victories while completing 56 of 102 pass attempts for 628 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

When the players returned to the field following Week 6, the Broncos chose to keep Karcher on the roster and he was on the field as a backup when the Broncos played in Super Bowl XXII.

Karcher will never be remembered for his time in Denver because it was so short, but the replacement players of the 1987 season should be remembered for getting on the field and keeping the game going.

Karcher played a key role in a season that led to a Super Bowl appearance.

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