Training camp tales from Broncos history

The Denver Broncos are on the verge of opening one of the most highly anticipated training camps in team history.

Just recently, 9NEWS’ Mike Klis reported that in a team-bonding effort, veterans will join rookies and other younger players at the team hotel for camp. Watching the published reports thus far, this seems like a team that has bonded so far and all indications are that the veterans are embracing the concept.

It’s not always been the case that the team stay together during camp, as each coaching staff takes different approaches. But decades ago, that was how the team operated — but not out of choice.

Back when the Broncos began in 1960, their first training camp was at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden. Those first two camps were memorable mostly for their spartan nature. The players did not have their own rooms, but rather slept on cots in the school gym.

The meals were best described as hash served by the dining staff and notable as being whatever the Broncos could afford, which was next to nothing.

The Broncos had a coaching staff of three, including head coach Frank Filchock, and his practices very much resembled touch football games back then. I realize the reader might say this cannot be, but it was.

The team trained at Colorado State University in Fort Collins from 1962-64, a decision by new head coach Jack Faulkner, who also presided over the team changing colors to orange and blue and who created the first playbook in Broncos history.

But they were back at Mines for the 1965 and 1966 seasons. Of special note was that Denver Bears (the Triple-A baseball team) general manager Jim Burris served in the same role for the Broncos during that period, in an effort for the team to save money. It did not work out.

The team moved out of its headquarters at the Quonset hut and into the 5700 Logan address in 1967, and they had training camp at team headquarters from 1967-71.

So this is not the first era in which the team had training camp at headquarters….