Billy Thompson is listed #26 as Broncos most outstanding players of all time
- Charles Reams 1
- Dec 31, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 5
Greenville (SC) native, Billy “Alan” Thompson was born in Greenville, SC. He played as a defensive cornerback and safety for the Denver Broncos from 1969 to 1981. Thompson was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1987. He set an NFL record (since tied) for the most fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns in a career.
Also, a Greenville native and legend, John Whiteside, well remembers how talented Thompson was during his formative years. According to Whiteside, a natural athlete, Thompson was good at all sports, including baseball, football, and basketball,.
Thompson, Whiteside said, seemed to know he was destined for a pro sports career. So he took good care of his body and avoided late hours, drinking, and smoking. While most others rushed to the party, Thompson went home and got his sleep for the game the next day. That was his routine, and he never deviated from it, Whiteside said.
Thompson played football and baseball at Maryland State College, now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore — UMES.
Stats from the college website speak for themselves.
Baseball (four-year letterman, three-time All-CIAA), earning honors in both sports before his legendary NFL career with the Broncos, where he was inducted into the Ring of Fame.
Football Accomplishments:
All-American: Selected as a First-Team All-American twice.
All-Conference: Earned All-CIAA honors three times.
MVP: Named Most Valuable Player in his senior year.
UMES Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1984.
Baseball Accomplishments:
Four-Year Letterman: Played baseball for four years.
All-Conference: Received All-Conference honors three times in baseball as well.
A cornerback in the Orange Crush era, Billy Thompson remains one of the best defensive backs in Denver Broncos history, even among the legendary players in the No Fly Zone.
IN 1969, the Broncos clinched the West Conference Title. Players discussed getting the one seed for home-court advantage in the Super Bowl.
“Let's go get this thing done.” Beat the Chargers. Sean Patten said the T-shirt and cap were ugly. Improve the takeaway margins. Proactive. Work on it. Take that next step.
What was learned from the week three defeat to the Chargers? We need to focus primarily on defense. We want to make up for that and finish 5/1.
Zach Stevens—unique way to win the division title. We had the T-shirt and hats in the locker room. We’re still playing for something. We want the one seed. It's a huge deal.
Both teams jostled for the number one seed for the coveted home-court advantage. Both teams earned home-court advantage by virtue of their season records. Still, somehow, the Cowboys got the honorary designation even though the game was played in Louisiana as the first Super Bowl under a dome.
The Denver Broncos played in their first Super Bowl (XII) after the 1977 season, which culminated in January 1978, but they lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 27-10. The Broncos had a magical “Orange Crush” season, but the Cowboys dominated, with quarterback Craig Morton throwing four interceptions in the loss, according to this Facebook post.
May 26, 2022 retirement celebration tribute
Football and baseball, all conference and rookie, 179 games in 13 seasons, 40 interceptions that resulted in 784 yards. In the 1973 conference game, he recovered a fumble and went 80 yards for a touchdown against the Raiders, securing the win and punching their ticket to the Broncos’ first-ever Super Bowl. Thompson was the Orange Crush defense captain that year. He was a 4-time all AFC player of the year. He retired from the Broncos in 1981. Other honors included the Hawk Hall of Fame, and Colorado Broncos Ring of Fame, and the Director of players relations and community outreach. He excelled in that role. He was a trusted ambassador and Director of alumni. For 50 years he served his team and community.
Drafted in the third round in 1969, the Ring-of-Fame player played in Orange and Blue until 1981, collecting 40 INTs along the way, three of which he took to the house. Thompson also added 21 fumble recoveries and turned four into touchdowns.
“BT” was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (1977, 178 & 1981) and earned All-NFL honors twice (1977-1978) and All-AFC honors four times (1977-79, ’81).
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