12 years since going their separate ways, the Broncos have elected to enshrine Mike Shanahan as the 34th member of their Ring of Fame. He is just the third Broncos head coach to be deemed worthy of that honor.
The move is well-deserved, and some would even argue, overdue, but Shanahan will still have to wait until the 2021 season for the official ceremony as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his head coaching tenure with the Broncos, Shanahan went 138-86, making him the most-winningest coach in the history of the franchise and — when combined with his win totals with the Raiders and the Washington franchise — has the 13th-most wins in NFL history.
Shanahan is also one of just seven coaches with 170 wins and two Super Bowl titles, joining an exclusive club of Bill Belichick, Chuck Noll, Tom Landry, Don Shula, Bill Parcells, and Tom Coughlin.
“Mike Shanahan is the greatest coach in Denver Broncos history and among the winningest coaches of all-time,” Broncos President and CEO Joe Ellis said, in a statement released following the announcement. “He brought an unmatched standard and intensity as head coach, leading this franchise to its first two Super Bowl wins and building the Broncos into perennial contenders. Few coaches have had more of an impact with one organization — as both a head coach and assistant — than Mike Shanahan over the course of his two decades with the Broncos.
“We are thrilled that Mike has now been elected to the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. Although postponing his induction was a difficult decision, he deserves a full celebration in front of all of our fans and distinguished alumni. Along with our fans, we can’t wait to honor Coach Shanahan during our Ring of Fame and alumni weekend in 2021.”
