NFL Unveils Broncos 'Mount Rushmore', Stirs Controversy

Let's just say Broncos Country is divided over the list.

Nov 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Bronco former tight end Shannon Sharpe and former Broncos quarterback and current general manager John Elway during a ceremony inducting owner Pat Bowlen (not pictured) into the Broncos Ring of Fame during halftime between the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports / Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, the NFL's official X account revealed the Denver Broncos' "Mount Rushmore," a who's who of the most iconic players in the franchise's long and (mostly) illustrious history.

An exercise in subjectivity, the person(s) responsible for the four-headed list selected former quarterback John Elway, running back Terrell Davis, tight end Shannon Sharpe, and outside linebacker Von Miller.

This lineup of legends in the @Broncos Mount Rushmore 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/Nbzelg8WcH

— NFL (@NFL) July 11, 2024

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To say the unveiling was met with controversy would be an understatement. Though nearly all of Broncos Country acknowledged that Elway and Miller are locks, a large sect disputed whether Sharpe or (to a lesser extent) Davis belonged alongside them.

Many fans pointed out numerous Pro Football Hall-of-Famers and team legends (Peyton Manning, Steve Atwater, Floyd Little, Randy Gradishar, Karl Mecklenburg, Champ Bailey, Ed McCaffrey) who should've been considered instead.

I love TD. I really go, but I would have to put Champ over him.

— Jim Eisenacher (@SirJamesSays) July 11, 2024

Floyd Little has to be in there somewhere. There are no Denver Broncos without him.

— Christopher Moen (@mrmajamojo) July 11, 2024

Mccaffrey isn’t being mentioned. That’s a miss I think. He should be in the conversation at least. Maybe not an uber elite NFL stats guy but if we’re just talking Denver, he was pretty important.

— Beekman (@BeekmanNoCo) July 11, 2024

Atwater? Little? Rod Smith? Need bigger mountain

— Larry Bohannan (@Larry_Bohannan) July 11, 2024

No PFM? Can't disagree with the four but ya gotta add Manning. and kind of hard to ignore the first 20-30 years; Mecklenburg, Gradishar, Floyd Little.

— Seeking Boston Marathon (@seeksboston26mi) July 11, 2024

Others, however, took no umbrage with the choices.

I’m fine with this.

— Swipa (@SwipaCam) July 11, 2024

Agree. I wanna put other players on there, but I can’t justify replacing any of these four.

— King 🇺🇸🇦🇹 (@KingPhilip30) July 11, 2024

Hard to argue

— Mike DeCicco (@MikeDeCicco) July 11, 2024

100% agree.

— John Chavez (@JohnCha55974311) July 11, 2024

This brand of offseason engagement is meant to spark discussion — a job well done by the league in that regard. Not every Broncos fan will agree simply because so many fantastic players have walked through the door over the years, each carrying their own nostalgia to fans.

That's ultimately a good problem to have, and if nothing else a worthy debate to pass time until training camp.

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