Ken Adamson, who played guard for the inaugural Broncos squad and earned AFL All-Star honors in the early 1960s, has died at 85: https://t.co/i83BINLc3H pic.twitter.com/0E0Tu8aLzF
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) November 16, 2023
A member of the first Denver Broncos team has passed away.
Offensive lineman Ken Adamson died peacefully at his home in California on Tuesday, the Broncos announced. He was 85 years old.
After playing college football at Notre Dame, Adamson was on the inaugural Denver team that helped launch the AFL in 1960. He started 14 games (of a 14-game schedule) in 1960, 12 games in 1961 and four games in 1962 before retiring from pro football.
Adamson’s best year came in 1961 when he earned All-AFL honors from the Associated Press. Adamson was part of an offensive line that blocked for running back Gene Mingo, a two-time AFL All-Star and a member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame.
Denver went 4-9-1 in its inaugural season, most notably winning the first game in American Football League history 13-10 against the then-Boston Patriots.
The former guard is survived by his wife, Joyce Adamson; brother, David Adamson; three daughters, Kelley, Seanne and Colleen; sons-in-law, Matt and Charlie; and five grandchildren, Sean, Kenny, Clare, Elizabeth and Emily.
Broncos Wire sends condolences to Adamson’s family and friends.
