ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have lost a Ring of Famer.
Quarterback Charley Johnson passed away Tuesday at the age of 85, his alma mater New Mexico State announced.
Johnson quarterbacked the Broncos to their first winning season in franchise history, as he guided Denver to a 7-5-2 mark in 1973.
A 1986 Ring of Fame inductee, Johnson played with the Broncos from 1972-75 after being traded to Denver by Houston. According to Johnson's Broncos Ring of Fame bio, "the trade at that time was regarded as the most important in franchise history."
Johnson was chosen by his teammates as the Broncos' most valuable offensive player following the 1973 season, and he earned All-AFC honors from UPI and Pro Football Weekly. A year later, Johnson set a team record for passing accuracy.
The New Mexico State product posted what then represented the second-highest single-game passing yardage total when he threw for 445 yards against the Chiefs in 1974. Johnson posted four 300-yard games during his career.
Johnson finished his career in Denver with 7,238 passing yards and 52 touchdown passes, which rank ninth and seventh in team history, respectively.
In 1986, Johnson entered the Broncos' Ring of Fame alongside quarterback Frank Tripucka and defensive end Paul Smith.
Johnson began his professional career with the St. Louis Cardinals and played nine seasons with the club before being traded to Houston. He then spent a pair of years with the Oilers before joining the Broncos for the final four years of his career.
During his collegiate career, Johnson led the New Mexico State Aggies to back-to-back wins in the Sun Bowl in 1959 and 1960 and was named the game's MVP after both appearances. Johnson led the Aggies to the most successful two-year stretch in program history, and he was inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame in 1970. He is one of two players in the school's history to have his jersey number retired.
Johnson was also inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2010) and the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame (2008).
While playing professional football, Johnson — a member of New Mexico State's Army ROTC — was called into active duty in 1967 and also worked for NASA as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve while an active player.
In his life after football, Johnson worked as the head of New Mexico State's chemical engineering department from 2000-04 and served as the interim coach of New Mexico State's football team in 2010.
A native of Big Spring, Texas, Johnson was born in 1938.
In memory of Ring of Fame quarterback Charley Johnson, who passed away at the age of 85, take a look back through his career as a Bronco.
Charley Johnson watches the Ring of Fame activities at Invesco Field October 5, 2008
Ring of Fame former quarterback Charley Johnson after a walkthrough practice in Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse as part of Ring of Fame weekend on November 18, 2017. (Ben Swanson)
Charley Johnson throws downfield.
Denver Broncos Ring of Fame inductees Goose Gonsoulin, Lionel Taylor,Charley Johnson and Billy Thompson join in the pre game festivities prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Invesco Field October 5, 2008
Charley Johnson throws downfield.
Former Denver Bronco quarterback John Elway and Charley Johnson have a laugh during the 2008 Ring of Fame dinner held at Invesco Field.
Quarterback Charley Johnson calls a play from scrimmage during a game at Mile High Stadium.
Charley Johnson scrambles from the pocket.
Charley Johnson stands on the sideline.
Charley Johnson stands on the sideline during a game.
Charley Johnson makes a call at the line of scrimmage.
Denver Broncos Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little receives a congratulatory hug from Charley Johnson during his Hall of Fame ceremony at Invesco Field in Denver,CO.
Charley Johnson and John Ralston walk off the field.
Quarterback Charley Johnson drops back for a pass during a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Denver Broncos quarterback Charlie Johnson (12) throws past Oakland Raiders defensive linemen Horace Jones (82) and Art Thoms (80) while offensive tackle Claudie Minor (71) blocks. NFL game 1974 in Oakland, Calif. (Ron Riesterer via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Charley Johnson (12) gets set to throw a pass circa 1972. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive end Horace Jones (82) after Denver Broncos quarterback Charlie Johnson (12). NFL game Nov 24, 1974 in Oakland, Calif won by Broncos 20 to 17. (Ron Riesterer via AP)
Quarterback Charley Johnson throws a pass during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Mile High Stadium.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Tony Cline (84) and defensive tackle Art Toms (80) sack Denver Broncos quarterback Charley Johnson (12) circa 1973. (Ron Riesterer via AP)
Denver Broncos quarterback Charley Johnson (12) about to be hit by Oakland Raiders defensive end Bubba Smith (77) and tackle Otis Sistrunk (60). Broncos blocker Paul Howard (60). NFL game Nov 24, 1974 in Oakland, Calif won by the Broncos 20 to 17. (Ron Riesterer via AP)
