The Denver Broncos organization is in mourning this week over tragic and unexpected news.
Steve Tensi, a Broncos quarterback who threw the first touchdown pass in the team’s NFL history, has tragically lost his life. He was 81 years old.
He reportedly died Friday in his hometown of Boone, North Carolina.
We're saddened by the passing of former Broncos QB Steve Tensi, who played for us from 1967-1970.
Our organization sends its sincere condolences to the Tensi family, his friends and former teammates. 🧡
📰 » https://t.co/n0FA4h8mWy pic.twitter.com/AiW2oZ3fRB
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 18, 2024
The legendary quarterback was drafted by the AFL’s San Diego Chargers and NFL’s Indianapolis Colts before he decided to sign with the Chargers, where he spent his first two seasons.
The Denver Broncos star would spend four seasons with the team between 1967 and 1970, starting 32 of 41 games for the franchise, after being acquired in a trade from the Chargers.
The Florida State Seminoles product spent five of his six seasons playing in the AFL before the league merged with the NFL in 1970.
In 1970, he racked up 539 yards and three touchdowns against eight interceptions in seven games. Unfortunately, he would be forced to retire after the season due to injuries.
His best season was in 1969 when he threw for 1,990 yards and 14 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 13 games. With the Broncos, Tensi went 10-21-1 as a starter in his four seasons. He completed 43% of his passes while throwing for 5,153 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Tensi finished his career having thrown for 5,558 yards and 43 touchdowns against 46 interceptions in 56 games. 4 of those games came as a starter.
Former Denver Broncos QB Steve Tensi Was A Two-Sport Star
Before he became known as a member of the Denver Broncos, Steve Tensi starred as quarterback for Elder High School while simultaneously playing forward on his undefeated high school basketball team, according to Broncos.com.
The Cincinnati native was so good at both sports that he received 28 football scholarship offers and four basketball offers before deciding to attend Florida State University.
