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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – **Jason Elam said he's heard all the kicker jokes.
But here's a line that's the complete truth: this fall, Elam will join the likes of John Elway, Terrell Davis and Tom Jackson in the Broncos Ring of Fame.
"It's a huge honor," Elam said. "Probably the biggest individual honor I've ever received. To be able to go in with [S] John Lynch and [LB] Simon Fletcher, two great former teammates and great people, it's just a pretty amazing deal. I'm really happy for them and I consider it a great honor for myself. It's a really amazing thing to kind of look around at the people that are in the Ring of Fame. I don't feel like I should be named with those people. To have that honor and to have that kind of appreciation from the selection committee and from the Broncos is incredible."
There were plenty of highlights along the way, like when Elam knocked home what he calls the most dramatic kick of his career, a last-second, hurry-up FG to beat Buffalo in 2007. There was the 63-yard kick in 1998 that stood as an NFL record until Matt Prater boomed home a 64-yarder in 2013. In all, he knocked in 395 kicks while a member of the Broncos. Elam sits 244 made field goals ahead of Jim Turner, who is also in the Ring of Fame and holds second place on the Broncos' career field goal list.
After each of those kicks, Elam said he didn't wonder if he could someday end up in the Broncos Ring of Fame. And even after his career ended, it still wasn't a thought that entered his mind.
"You don't ever really go there too much," Elam said. "You don't feel like anything like that is a shoo-in at all. There are only [28] guys up there. Imagine all of the players that have played for the Denver Broncos—some absolutely amazing players that you see in that Ring of Fame, and so again, I just feel incredibly honored just to be mentioned with those guys."
Elam, who holds nearly every major franchise kicking record, said Tuesday he had a 'whole list of texts' to respond to after the announcement. Among those who reached out to Elam were Head Coach Gary Kubiak and President and CEO Joe Ellis.
The official celebration will come this fall at Sports Authority Field at Mile High this fall for a yet-to-be-announced game, and Elam said he expects all of the feelings to come roaring back.
"It's going to be a very emotional time for me," Elam said. "I tried to give it my very best effort during the offseasons, during the seasons and at every moment. It will be a really fun time. Again, I'm excited to go in with Simon and John. That's one of the coolest things. I'll have a front-row seat to watch them be inducted and cheer them on again and just getting to catch up with them.
"I think the whole weekend is just going to be a very, very special time. The Broncos always do everything in a first-class way. They've always been so supportive and appreciative of me and my family. I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait."
