Denver Broncos, "The Orange Crush Is Back!"

Object Details

Description: This round pinback button is white with orange text that says, "The Orange Crush is Back!" The Orange Crush Defense was the nickname for the Denver Broncos' defense starting in 1976 and continuing into the early 1980s. In 1976, the team switched to a 3-4 defense which has three down linemen and four linebackers. The term Orange Crush came from the Broncos' home jersey, which were orange, and the popular soft drink, Orange Crush. The nickname was made popular by Woody Paige in 1977. Key members of the Orange Crush include Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson, Paul Smith, Rubin Carter, Bob Swenson, Joe Rizzo, Billy Thompson, Louis Wright, Steve Foley and Bernard Jackson. The unit was led by defensive coordinator Joe Collier, defensive line coach Stan Jones and head coach Red Miller. The Orange Crush would be featured in Super Bowl XII as the NFL's number one rush defense (although only 27th in pass defense). The team would lose the game against the Dallas Cowboys, 27-10, behind Dallas' star quarterback Roger Staubach and running back Tony Dorsett.
Location: Currently not on view

ca 1970s - 1980s

Physical Description: aluminum (overall material); white (overall color); orange (overall color)
Measurements: overall: 2 1/4 in; x 5.715 cm

National Museum of American History

GUID (Link to Original Record): https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746af-376d-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa