Since finding their footing in the NFL in the mid-1970s, the Denver Broncos have been one of the league's most successful and consistent franchises. They've won eight AFC titles, three Super Bowls and recorded only seven losing seasons.

Accordingly, the franchise has employed a slew of NFL greats: eight members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were inducted as Broncos, and 29 players are members of the team's Ring of Fame. Let's look back at a few Broncos legends.

Shannon Sharpe (TE, 1990-99, 2002-03)

Sharpe may not even be the best tight end in his own family — he says his brother Sterling is better — but he’s certainly the best tight end in Broncos history. In 12 seasons, Sharpe racked up 675 catches, 55 touchdowns  and 8,439 receiving yards, all ranking second in team history. Despite being physically undersized (though not in personality), Sharpe made seven Pro Bowls with the Broncos and was named to the 1990s All-Decade Team.

Steve Atwater (FS, 1989-99)

Atwater held down the fort in the Broncos secondary during the 1990s, helping the squad reach three Super Bowls. In 10 seasons in a Broncos uniform, the hard-hitting Atwater, along with Dennis Smith, instilled constant fear in opposing pass-catchers.

He made eight Pro Bowls, two All-Pro teams, earned two Super Bowl rings and an induction in the Broncos Ring of Fame in 2005.

While we're talking studs in the secondary, a brief acknowledgement of Hall of Famer Champ Bailey —the league's all-time leader in passes defended and one of the great corners in history who had an equally impressive run in the Mile High City from 2004-13.

Rod Smith (WR, 1994-2006)

Smith may not be the flashiest receiver to lace up the cleats, but the undrafted wideout from Missouri Southern State turned in a prolific career, all with the Broncos. Over 14 seasons, he earned two All-Pro selections, and set franchise records with 68 receiving touchdowns, 11,389 yards and 849 catches.

Terrell Davis (RB, 1995-2001)

Other Broncos greats have produced more extended runs of success than Davis while in the Mile High City (including Hall of Fame halfback Floyd Little), but Davis is undoubtedly the greatest runner in team history, and arguably the best player on their 1997 and 1998 championship squads.

Davis played just eight seasons due to knee injuries, but is still the franchise's all-time leading rusher. He made three All-Pro teams and won the NFL's MVP award in 1998 after rushing for 2,008 yards and 21 scores. In Super Bowl XXXII, he ran for 157 yards and three touchdowns on his way to MVP honors.

John Elway (QB, 1983-98)

This is a no-brainer.

Elway is as closely associated with the Denver Broncos as any football legend to his respective franchise, arguably outside Mike Ditka and the Chicago Bears. The Stanford prodigy became a Broncos legend from the instant he refused to be drafted by the Baltimore Colts, forcing them to trade him to Denver.

Elway is, not surprisingly, the Broncos' record holder is nearly every category for a quarterback: 51,475 yards, 41,123 completions and 300 touchdowns. Additionally, he ran for 33 scores. In NFL history, Elway ranks fourth all-time in completions and yards, and fifth in touchdowns.

More importantly, Elway has had a direct hand in the franchise’s three Super Bowl titles and six appearances in the big game, and produced multiple signature moments, including “The Drive” and the “Helicopter” run.

After losing his first three Super Bowls, Elway improbably capped his Broncos career with back-to-back rings in 1997 and 1998, then oversaw the construction of the roster that would win Super Bowl 50 as Denver's general manager and president, a role he’s held since 2011.