Some words from your 50th anniversary Broncos

From June 6 to Sept. 4, Denver Broncos fans went on the team’s Web site and voted on the 50th anniversary team, and the members of the team will be honored during halftime of today’s game against New England.

Some of the players who were honored shared their thoughts:

Kicker Jason Elam, on being a member of the 50th anniversary team while playing for another team, the Atlanta Falcons:

“It is a weird feeling but I truly am still a Bronco fan. You can’t spend 15 years with one organization, with so many great memories, with so many friends, and having played with so many Bronco greats and not be cheering them on every week. Being named to the 50th anniversary team is probably the biggest honor I’ve been given.”

Tight end Shannon Sharpe on how the Broncos’ all-time team would fare in a hypothetical game against other all-time teams like the Bears or Packers:

“(Laughing) I’d like to think looking at Willie Davis and Jerry Kramer and Bart Starr of the old Packers, we could beat them today (laughing again). It’s hard to superimpose where you are today and where you were in your heyday, but I know this — I don’t think our Super Bowl teams got the credit we deserve. I like what we could do.” 
Left guard Mark Schlereth, ESPN analyst and regular “tweeter,” from his Twitter account @markschlereth:

“@fs3142 frank I think it’s because I’m the only LG anyone knew by name!”

Defensive tackle Trevor Pryce, who is with Baltimore, on taking out a newspaper ad to thank the fans of Denver:

“Well, it was my way of saying thanks for the honor. I don’t play for the Broncos and I haven’t for a long time, so for the city to still think about me that way means a lot. Usually those anniversary teams are made up of guys, if they are still in the league, who still play for that team, so for them to bestow that honor on me meant a lot to me and my family.”

Running back Floyd Little on being remembered so fondly 34 years after his last Broncos season:

“I think it’s outstanding, the fact that I’m still considered one of their favorites. It’s been 30-plus years since I played there, so for fans to go online and vote — the Internet savvy people who voted for me probably weren’t around when I played. So for me to be one of the players on the team is remarkable.”

Offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman, who said the honor was special because it was picked by the fans:

“I loved playing in front of the Denver fans because they were informed and passionate. They booed us when we stunk, they made it hard for opposing teams to hear and would not back down when the Raiders players went up in the stands. Being selected by the folks I loved playing in front of for five years is truly an honor that I’m proud to have received.”

Cornerback Louis Wright, who got the call while working at his job as a teacher at Gateway High School in Aurora:

“I was hoping to make the team, but there are so many great players, you just never know. Most players would agree that you don’t appreciate honors and awards as much when you’re playing. After you are away from the sport you begin to realize the value of those things and have an enormous appreciation for them. I value and appreciate this honor.”

Cornerback Champ Bailey, the only active Bronco on the anniversary team:

“If you look at the last 50 years, there’s a lot of guys that deserve to be on that team. It’s a very special award. You’re one of the top two guys at your position in the organization’s history, and I’ve only been here six years. It means a lot. When I heard they were naming it, I didn’t expect to be on it.”

Linebacker Randy Gradishar on what he enjoyed about the honor:

“It’s a great honor to be recognized, particularly from the fans’ standpoint. Fans sometimes get the second seat, and it’s an opportunity for them to voice their opinion. When the fans are involved and say ‘This is what we like and this is who we want on the 50th anniversary team,’ that’s what really makes it special.”

Offensive tackle Matt Lepsis, who was studying in the library at Dallas Theological Seminary when he got a call informing him of the honor:

“I had no idea they were doing this. My first reaction was I was completely shocked. I still am. I started thinking about the other tackles that played for Denver and the name that came to mind was Tony Jones. He was deserving. To be named with guys like Gary Zimmerman is a great honor. I’m still really blown away by it.”