From the archive: Jumping into Leap Day with the Broncos
Celebrate Leap Day with our favorite photos of Broncos players who went airborne in game action.
Rod Smith makes a leaping reception over a defender for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, CA on November 30, 1997.
Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater (27) jumps into the air in an attempt to block a pass by Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre during the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXII at Qualcomm Stadium. (AP Photo/John Gaps III, File)
John Elway scrambles with the ball in the third quarter on a crucial third-down play and gains the first down in Super Bowl XXXII against the Packers. The diving attempt and 180-degree spin was a pivotal moment, now known as "The Helicopter, showing Elway's desire to risk everything for the win at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA on January 25, 1998.
John Elway scrambles with the ball in the third quarter on a crucial third-down play and gains the first down in Super Bowl XXXII against the Packers. The diving attempt and 180-degree spin was a pivotal moment, now known as "The Helicopter, showing Elway's desire to risk everything for the win at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA on January 25, 1998.
Ed McCaffrey makes a diving reception against the Miami Dolphins at Mile High Stadium in Denver on January 9, 1999.
Ray Crockett leaps to deflect a Jeff George pass attempt against the Minnesota Vikings at Mile High Stadium in Denver on October 31, 1999.
Champ Bailey dives for a first down on a reception against the Kansas City Chiefs during his first game as a Bronco on September 12, 2004 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
Champ Bailey makes the first of his 10 interceptions during the 2006 season. The Denver Broncos defeated the Baltimore Ravens 13-3 during a "Monday Night Football" game on October 9, 2006 at Invesco Field in Denver, CO. Photo: Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates, LLC.
Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall jump together as they celebrate after a play against the Miami Dolphins on November 2, 2008.
Eddie Royal leaps to make a diving catch against the Oakland Raiders on November 23, 2008.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, in Denver. The touchdown tied the game, which Denver won in overtime, 20-17. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)
Knowshon Moreno goes over the top for a leaping 1-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in a game at Invesco Field on September 19, 2010 in Denver.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (84) makes a diving attempt at a catch during a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010 in Denver. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Lance Ball (35) leaps to avoid the tackle of Oakland Raider Joe Porter (28) on a 9-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in fourth-quarter action against the Oakland Raiders in the NFL game on September 12, 2011 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver.
Brandon Lloyd jumps to catch a pass against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of a game on October 2, 2011 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Denver Broncos Daniel Fells (86) leaps to catch a pass for a gain of 28 yards against the Miami Dolphins late in the fourth quarter of the NFL game October 23, 2011 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, FL.
Knowshon Moreno hurdles the defender on a 24-yard run in first-quarter action against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
Denver Broncos tackle Orlando Franklin (74) leaps over running back Lance Ball (35) in celebration after Ball ran for a touchdown that gave the Broncos a 31-6 lead during a game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012 in Denver. The Broncos won the game 37-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard (52) dives and hits the pylon as he returns an interception during a game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Denver. The Broncos won the game, 30-23. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) jumps to dunk on the crossbar on the goal post after scoring a touchdown on a 8-yard pass during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field on December 2, 2012 in Denver, CO.
Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno leaps into the air to celebrate his touchdown during the second half of a game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore on Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (27) jumps over Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed (20) in the middle of a 20-yard gain during first-quarter action at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on December 16, 2012.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) and Eric Decker (87) jump up together to celebrate after scoring a touchdown during second quarter action against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 23, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) jumps to catch a touchdown pass during third-quarter action against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 30, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by: Gabriel Christus)
Denver Broncos linebackers DeMarcus Ware (94) and Von Miller (58) leap into the air to celebrate Ware's sack of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) during a game at Sports Authority Field on Sunday, September 7, 2014. The Broncos defeated the Colts 31-24 on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 1.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) leaps for a catch during second-quarter action against the Indianapolis Colts during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on September 7, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker (83) dives across the goal line for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field in Denver on October 19, 2014. The Peyton Manning pass tied NFL quarterback Brett Favre's record of 508 career passing touchdowns. (Photo: © Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) jumps over Oakland Raiders safety Jonathan Dowling (42) on a 12-yard run during second-quarter action in the NFL game at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, CA on November 9, 2014.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) leaps to catch a ball for a 35-yard gain during second-quarter action against the Miami Dolphins during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on November 23, 2014. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) leaps into the end zone on a 16-yard catch-and-run reception for a touchdown late in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs in a game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO on September 17, 2015. (Photo: © Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) intercepts a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a game on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates a touchdown catch with Emmanuel Sanders (10) during a game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field in Denver on October 24, 2016.
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) leaps over the line in an attempt to block a New Orleans Saints PAT field goal to win the game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on November 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) leaps over the line and blocks a New Orleans Saints PAT field goal to win the game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on November 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) dives and flips into the end zone on a 43-yard reception for a touchdown during a game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 9, 2018, in Denver. (Photo: Eric Bakke)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) reacts with Tim Patrick and Emmanuel Sanders after hearing his touchdown was upheld by review during a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver, Colo. on September 9, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) leaps to make a touchdown catch during a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 in Glendale, Ariz. The Broncos won, 45-10. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Broncos)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) flips into the end zone for a touchdown during a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 in Glendale, Ariz. The Broncos won, 45-10. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Broncos)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) jumps on wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on October 28, 2018. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) makes a leaping 21-yard touchdown catch during the Broncos' game against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019. (Photo by Jeremy Rincon)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) catches a pass against the New York Jets on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) leaps over a defender during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) dives for a first down to convert on fourth down against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 5, 2021 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) leaps over a Houston Texans defender to gain extra yardage on a run during a game in Denver on September 18, 2022. (Photo: Eric Lars Bakke)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) leaps between Jaguars defenders to score a touchdown during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, October 30, 2022 in London. Photo by Gabriel Christus / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) makes an acrobatic leaping catch for a touchdown during the Broncos' Week 6 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on October 12, 2023. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine (25) hurdles a Packers defender during the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 22, 2023. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) makes a leaping catch for a 47-yard gain during the Broncos' Week 16 game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on December 24, 2023. Photo by Ben Swanson / Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey (17) dives for the goal line to score a touchdown during the Broncos' Week 17 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on December 31, 2023. Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll / Denver Broncos
