Former linebacker Jim Ryan was the best player to ever wear No. 50 for the Denver Broncos.
After playing college football at William & Mary, Ryan went undrafted in 1979 and signed with the Broncos. He spent his entire 10-year career in Denver, playing in 150 games with 91 career starts.
Ryan played before the NFL started officially tracking tackles as a stat, but Pro-Football-Reference.com credits him with 10 sacks, seven fumble recoveries and five interceptions from 1979-1988. He helped the team reach back-to-back Super Bowls in 1986-87 near the end of his career.
Former Broncos lineman Ben Hamilton is also deserving of a shout-out. Hamilton was picked by Denver in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft out of Minnesota and he went on to play seven seasons with the Broncos.
Happy Birthday, no. 5⃣0⃣ Jim Ryan! Ryan signed as an UDFA with the Denver Broncos in 1979. He was a Denver Bronco LB from 1979–1988. Ryan played in 159 games with 99 starts. In regular season action, he totaled 752 tackles (125 in 1987 to lead the team), 10 sacks, and 5 INTs. pic.twitter.com/gVMkQwpv7j
— Mile High Moments (@MileHighMoments) May 18, 2023
Hamilton dressed for 111 games in Denver, earning 104 starts. He helped the Broncos reached the AFC Championship game in 2005 and started all 16 games in six straight seasons to begin his career.
Ryan had a longer career in Denver and he played in two Super Bowls, so he gets the nod as the best Bronco to ever wear jersey No. 50.
Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts