Broncos QB Bubby Brister took the time to answer some questions submitted by Broncos fans at BroncosFreak.com:
Zambini15: How did you get the nickname Bubby?
Well I had five older sisters, I was the baby brother. Down south nicknames are pretty common. My dad is a football coach, so thank god I could get out of the house.
Ibleedorange: Where do you think the 1998 Broncos squad ranks among the best teams ever?
I think it would be one of the top teams ever to play. We probably had the best team assembled that I’ve ever seen in the past 25 years. We had all-pros everywhere, great players at every position. I’m not sure 1st, 2nd, 3rd but it would rank pretty high.
Broncojoe: What was your perspective of the situation when Coach Shanahan named Brian Griese the starter heading into 1999?
I was shocked, I had shoulder surgery in the offseason, sort of what Drew Brees is going through, and I was trying to come back from that.. I had played in five games and we one all five. I had the respect of everyone in the locker room and I never thought I’d lose my job in the preseason. We were stunned, but things happen. Mike was the boss and since then he’s said he made a mistake, but at the time Brian was his choice but he wasn’t ready to play. I wasn’t playing great but my shoulder was getting better every week. After the 1st regular season game I was 100%, but practicing every day was hurting it. If I had struggled in the 1st regular season game I would have taken myself out, I’m that type of guy. But the locker room was down after the change, then Mobley, TD, and Shannon got hurt and we went in the tank.
Holydiver: Do you feel satisfied with your career, having been a part of Super Bowl teams? Or, are you disappointed at not having the opportunity to start after John Elway retired?
There are different ways to look at it. Coming out of college if you told me I’d play 15 years and win 2 Super Bowls, I’d have taken it. I got to play with the Steelers, Eagles, and Broncos. I’m disappointed I didn’t get the chance to start after John retired, but all in all I’m pretty satisfied that I was able to play 15 years in that league.
Canuckbroncofan: What was it like after warm ups coming onto the field and seeing tens of thousands of Bronco fans screaming like mad?
It was a great feeling, the Broncos fans are the best in the league. I’ve played for and against them. They’re is nothing like playing at Mile High, playing on the other side your in aw of how loud it is. I haven’t been in the new stadium but the old stadium was incredible.
Cswill: How does the win at Kansas City rank in your all time victories?
That was a pretty good game, if we had lost one game we may not have had home-field advantage, and we would have had to play at New York who had a hell of a ball team that year. Going into Kansas City on Monday without John they thought they would win. I knew I had to play my best, and the guys rallied around me. I was able to prove I could play on a great team and win in a tough environment so it ranks very high.
Flair: Do you have any good fishing or hunting stories with fellow Bronco Players?
I got a really good one. I took John down fishing one weekend here in Louisiana; In twelve years the biggest fish I had caught was a 9 lb. large bass, that’s a pretty big fish. John asked what’s the biggest I’d ever caught and 3 hours later he came back with a fish 9.5 lbs., his first trip fishing. There’s not much he can’t do, since then I haven’t beat 9.5 but I’m still trying.
Mclark: What was John Elway like as a teammate? How would you characterize your relationship with him? Is he the best quarterback you’ve every played with?
No question the best I ever played with. We were roommates; he was a great roommate and friend. What a great QB, the total package of a player and friend. I was honored to be his roommate and friend. When he was hurt, I played hard because I knew what he meant to Colorado and the team. That was another reason I was disappointed about ‘99, because I wanted to be the guy to replace him when he gone. One heck of a guy though, everything you see on TV and then some.
Scarface: How pissed was John Elway when you beat him at pool in his own house?
He is so darn competitive; we had games at our hotel floor like ping-pong and pool. No one could beat him at anything, he beat me 21-4 at ping pong once and I’m no slouch. He had a party at his house once with a new pool table. We were talking junk back and forth and I wound up beating him. He said the table must be warped and sold it. The next time I was over his wife said “You are forbidden from the basement.” He’s competitive as can be at golf, fishing, anything.
Rickomatic: What teams did you feel you played on over-achieved and under-achieved the most?
Over-achieving was a Pittsburgh team I was on. The Broncos beat us by 1 to go the AFC title game and we probably should have beat Denver. We had a small salary, and less talent but played pretty good. ‘99 is easily the most disappointing ever with the same players form the two Super Bowls and the QB change and all.
Haroldthebarrel: As a QB, do you prefer a great offensive line or great skill players?
You need both to be a good team and QB. When we won the Super Bowl we had great everything. If you have a great line but no one to catch and run, you’re not going anywhere and vice-versa. It’s hard to get both but you need both to win it all.
Broncocalijohn: Who do you still talk to on those championship teams?
Geese… Romo, Eddie, John. John was down the other day for Peyton and Eli’s camp because Jack was in it. I keep up with David Diaz-Infante, Mark Schlereth. I talk to a lot of guys. We stay in touch, like a little fraternity, especially a lot of the QB’s.
Heyskid: Jay Cutler is wearing your old #6, have you seen him play and if so, what are your impressions of the kid?
I’m still a Broncos fan and I saw him in preseason. He looked good; he’s big, strong, and has a good arm. The upside is tremendous. It’s a great offense, I wish I had been there my entire career. Now there’s not a next John Elway, but Jay Cutler can be himself. Jay’s going to be great though, I wish him a lot of success as I’m a bronco fan now. After last weeks game, Jake’s getting a lot of junk but Cutler’s not ready yet. They need to bring him along slow and not rush him like they did Brian.
Montrose (follow up): What are your thoughts on Jake?
Jake’s a good ball player. It’s a good team and system. Now he has his moments like everyone else. You look at Drew Bledsoe, he had one bad game and they want to bench him too. He’ll bounce back and they’ll beat KC and everyone will forget about it. Being a QB after John sure does leave a lot weight on your shoulders.
MileHighWrath: Is Shanahan really as good a coach as most of us believe he is?
Yeah he really is. As bad as ‘99 was, he’s still unbelievable. They make the best halftime adjustments in the league. Now he makes mistakes and has to make tough decisions but so does everyone. John handpicked him as the coach and we won 2 Super Bowls, so John knew what he was doing. He’s a great coach though.
Montrose: Do you think Terrell Davis deserves to be in the Hall of Fame?
Yes I do, absolutely. I tell you what, he was unbelievable. Hands down, he should be in. I know he got hurt on a da*n interception and Brian shouldn’t have been playing but it happens. He was an unbelievable person, player, and guy in the locker room. He had an aura in the locker room just like with John. With him and John, Shannon, Rod, Eddie, hell every one was a star but TD was something special.
Shepheml: What are you doing to keep yourself busy these days?
I work part time for a company in Iowa, Hunters Specialties, selling hunting products, videos, and other stuff. I also have a few stores here in Louisiana. I work with some commercial real estate and work on raising kids here with the family. I’m just enjoying life.
Finally we did a “first thing that comes to you mind” that I like to call popcorn:
John Elway
The Man
Terrell Davis
The other man
Shannon Sharpe
Haha. Oh lord, big mouth
Rod Smith
Steady
Ed McCaffrey
Takes a licking and keeps on ticking
Tom Nalen
Iron man
Howard Griffith
Stud, he could bust ass and catch the ball. He was so underrated, a huge part of our team
Mark Schlereth
Stinky
Bill Romanowski
Intense and a great friend, he talked Shanahan into bring me in from our Eagles days together
John Mobley
Warrior
Steve Atwater
Special
Neil Smith
Also a warrior, the whole defense had them. They were great guys too. The defense was a big reason for our titles too.
Jason Elam
Steady and consistent
Gary Kubiak
Consistant
Mike Shanahan
Great coach
Pat Bowlen
Great owner
The Bronco fans
The best in the league, they’re totally awesome. My favorite deal is IN-COM-PLETE!
Montrose: Any final thoughts for the Broncos fans?
It was an honor to play there. I bump into fans who bring up the Kansas City game and some other games. It makes me feel good. It’s an honor to be a Bronco.
In honor of his new book, Tales From the Broncos Sidelines, being released, Floyd Little recently took some time to answer select questions submitted by the fans from BroncosFreak.com. What follows is part 2 of 3:
Quiettiger: What do you think of the Terrell Owens type players who get all the press in today’s media circus. Do you think they deserve all the press and attention that they are getting? How were players treated like this “back in the day”?
I know Terrell Owens is a talented receiver, but I wouldn’t want him on my team. Regardless of what he says I don’t believe he’s a team player and I think he’s too much of a distraction. Football is a team sport and there are 53 players on that team. It’s not 52 players and one guy that take away from the team by calling attention to himself. If someone like that was on my team, I would go to the owner or coach and say, “You can either have ‘T.O.’ on your team or me. You can’t have both.” I bet at least 80 percent of my teammates would say the same thing. We’d also handle it in the locker room, not in front of the press. Too much is done in front of the press these days. How’d you like to be Bill Parcells answering questions about Owens every day? And the media asking him, why Owens can’t play if he doesn’t practice! Do they really need that explained to them? Parcells shouldn’t have to go on TV every day to explain his decisions. If you don’t practice, you don’t play. That’s the way it’s always been in football.
ElwayKYfan: What was the hardest thing about being a Bronco during your playing days? If you could change something about your career what would it be?
Obviously the losing was extremely difficult. It was frustrating that we never made the playoffs. It took a long time to get enough talent to become contenders. By then I was retired. But being a year or two late for things has become my charge in life. I was drafted in 1967, the first year of the common draft. Had I been drafted the year before, I would have made a lot more money because as a first-round pick there would have been a bidding war for me between NFL and AFL teams. When I retired, it all changed and players started getting paid bigger bucks. But, looking back I don’t regret anything. I was drafted by a team, the Broncos, that I didn’t know a lot about but became my family. I played in front of the greatest fans in the world and lived in a Denver community that hailed me as “The Franchise.” We didn’t win a lot, but I gave it everything I had every time I laced ’em up on Sundays. I think it was my destiny to play for the Broncos. Fans continue to remember me and say, “Thanks.” My life has been great because of the fans and the friendships I’ve forged here.
BroncosFreak: In the book, you touched on how meaningful the Broncos first Super Bowl victory was, and especially when John Elway acknowledged your contribution to that many years before. Can you tell us a little about the feelings you had in the final minutes of Super Bowl 32?
You sit there and realize the Broncos reached this seemingly unattainable goal and an enormous amount of emotion pours through you. It’s a dream come true and we were all a part of it whether you’re a former Bronco, a life-long fan, or a member of the organization. It was surreal. One final fourth-down knockdown by linebacker John Mobley and suddenly we’re World Champs. Super Bowl winners finally vindicated by the media, and the NFL for never giving us respect, like putting us on Monday Night Football until my seventh season. Plus, to beat the World Champion Packers, a team we were something like 12-point underdogs. Once again, we weren’t given a chance. For the first time in the franchise’s history we can say, “Take that!” I remember sitting back and thinking, “You were the team’s first number one pick. You and your teammates had something to do with this.” Because we endured all those years of a lack of respect and never quit, we helped the Broncos grow as an organization. Then, for someone like John Elway to crystallize all those feelings by telling me I helped lay the foundation really cemented my place in Broncos history.
Quiettiger: How can fans help you with your Hall of fame bid?
You know, it’s funny you say that because I was sent a handful of notes that fans like you have said about my contributions to the team here on Broncosfreak. And I’m thinking, “This is what the Hall of Fame seniors committee should read!” The people that know, the people who matter, are the fans. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your kind words and support.
I’m not sure why I continue to be passed over. I retired as the 7th leading rusher in NFL history and the six players who finished in front of me made it years ago. I think I’m the only player NOT in the hall who fans and media nicknamed “The Franchise” during their careers. So there is validity to why people say I’m long overdue. Now, I’m getting up in age (64) and I probably don’t have too many chances left.
I’d say if fans want to support my candidacy the best thing they can do is send in a petition to the nine Seniors Committee Members who vote on “old-timers” like me or write letters and tell them why you think I should be in. I’m told any fan can nominate a player and I believe the Hall of Fame web site lists the Seniors voters. (Editors note: You can find that list here.) Who knows, someday with the help from the great Broncos fans like you, I could be wearing that bright mustard jacket in Canton!
If you enjoy hearing these stories, I’d encourage you to pick up the book, where Floyd goes more in depth on most of this material and much more. You can also read part 1 and part 2.
Floyd, thank you for taking the time to pass along the legacy of the Broncos to so many fans who have come on board since then. This team truly stands on the shoulders of you and others who established the Broncos in Denver before our time.
In honor of his new book, Tales From the Broncos Sidelines, being released, Floyd Little recently took some time to answer select questions submitted by the fans from BroncosFreak.com. What follows is part 2 of 3:
Mclark: Which Bronco teammate did you admire the most? Who was the best football player of all your Bronco teammates?
I played with a lot of great players. Billy Thompson was incredible. Rich Jackson was a beast and there are many others who I admire greatly. But, I’d say Charley Johnson was the guy I admired the most. He was in his 12th season when he arrived in Denver and was this tremendous leader who had never got the recognition he deserved. He quickly solidified the quarterback position here after years of having no stability. He took charge in the huddle and we all felt like we could win any game as long as he was taking the snaps. I just wish he had arrived earlier. I was already 30 when John Ralston traded for him in ’72. We both retired from the Broncos in 1975 and, as you’ll see in the book, he did something for me that I’ll never forget.
Studbucket: Thanks for adding to the history of the franchise and becoming one of the first Bronco Legends. Watching the runningbacks of today and the last 10 years, which current runningback reminds you most of yourself in terms of his build and running style?
I’d have to say Shaun Alexander of the Seahawks. Living in the Seattle-area, I get to watch him play a lot. I like what he brings to his team. Just like the Broncos had me do back in the day, he carries the load but he never stops running hard. He’s a passionate player and gives it everything he’s got. He’s respected by his teammates and does a lot in the Seattle community. He represents the kind of player that kids can look up to and is focused on doing what’s best for the team.
Studbucket: Did you have any football idols growing up? Or was there anyone you tried to pattern your play after?
Jim Brown was the man when I was growing up. We were all Browns fans and we lived in Connecticut! The Browns were a dominating team and Jim was the best player in the game. He was the first great runner at Syracuse to wear 44. After him came the great Ernie Davis. By some act of fate, I was fortunate enough to become the third celebrated back to wear 44 there. Jim and I had two different running styles. But I did try to pattern myself after him with his toughness and the way he played hard. Because of him and Ernie, I always tried to make the number 44 proud every time I pulled on my jersey. Over the years I’ve gotten to know Jim pretty well and we’ve become friends. When he agreed to write The Preface to my book I was overwhelmed with pride.
Quiettiger: What do you think of the current league rules? Do you think a more pass happy oriented type of football helps the game?
I don’t think so. There are too many rules to help the offense and hardly, if any rules, to even the field for the defense. I think it’s gone overboard and it takes away from the skills of a lot of talented players. The run-blocking and the passing game have a tremendous advantage now. There are a lot more facets to football than offensive fireworks. It’s a completely different game now.
If you enjoy hearing these stories, I’d encourage you to pick up the book, where Floyd goes more in depth on most of this material and much more. You can find part 1 here. Look for part 3 to be published on Wednesday, September 6.
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