Odoms, Foley immortalized in Broncos’ lore with Ring of Fame pillars

DENVER — Hundreds of Bronco-orange-jerseyed fans gathered Sunday around the Broncos’ Ring of Fame Plaza outside the South Stands at Empower Filed at Mile High prior to the Broncos’ game against the rival Raiders.

And that was just the Foley Family.

There were, literally, about 100 friends and family of Steve Foley who attended his ROF induction ceremonies this weekend, according to Steve’s wife Cindy. Hundreds, if not a couple thousand gathered from the concourse above to walkway below to watch Foley, a cornerback and safety on those great Orange Crush defensive teams of the late-1970s, and former teammate Riley Odoms, a four-time Pro Bowl tight end, became the 36th and 37th members of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame this week.

“What it means for me personally is it’s just not for me,’’ Foley said to Broncos’ play-by-play radio announcer Dave Logan, who emceed the pillar unveiling event 2 ½ hours before kickoff of Denver’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. “It’s for me, all my teammates, my family members which are huge over here.

“And just the ability to play with a group of men that I love and we gave everything to each other. That is more important than any honor I could ever receive, playing with the guys I played with.”

Asked what made the 1977 Orange Crush such an iconic defense, Foley mentioned all 11 starters, plus backups Brison Manor and John Grant.

“And we played fast and furious and we were fierce,’’ Foley said. “And we were a feared team to play against and I think our coaches, Joe Collier he was the architect of that defense.’’

Foley then mentioned all of Collier’s coaching assistants.

“That staff was second to none and they gave us the inspiration to play and taught us how to love each other and play hard,’’ Foley said. “And we all played hard.’’

Odoms watched his pillar unveiling from a wheelchair as he deals with post-football-career knee, ankle and back issues. He was emotional as he finally received his just reward.

“First of all I just want to thank you guys, the whole city of Denver and Broncos Country because I loved playing here,’’ said Odoms who drove up with Alnetia, his wife of 52 years, from Houston this week for the festivities. “The most beautiful thing about it is we had a great tradition here and we’re going to get it back again. We’re going to do the one thing today, I’m going to say it again: Beat the Raiders!”