When Steve Foley arrived in Denver, he came with several question marks. He left having made two Super Bowl appearances, recording a franchise-record 44 interceptions, and establishing himself as the cornerstone of the Broncos’ secondary for 11 seasons.
Raised in New Orleans, Foley became one of the greatest safeties and cornerbacks in Broncos history after first playing quarterback. At Jesuit High School, he lettered in football and track and quickly showed a knack for rising in big moments.
One of his defining games came in 1970 against rival Holy Cross. Foley helped end a five-game losing streak to its rival by throwing one touchdown and running for another in the 13-7 victory.
Foley kept breaking streaks in college.
In 1973, the dual-threat quarterback led Tulane to a stunning 14-0 win over then-No. 8 LSU in the regular-season finale, Tulane’s first victory over the Tigers in 25 years. He guided the Green Wave to two winning seasons and finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in total offense with 3,472 yards.
As his college career ended, Foley played his first and only professional season with the Jacksonville Express of the World Football League in 1975, where he transitioned from quarterback to defensive back.
Before the season, the Denver Broncos selected Foley in the eighth round of the 1975 NFL Draft, a move that would quietly change franchise history.
It took Foley until his ninth game to earn his first start at cornerback. In his second start, he intercepted future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts twice.
The following week, he did it again, picking off two passes against the New York Giants against future teammate Craig Morton, the second of which came in the final seconds at the Denver 22 to preserve a 14-13 victory.
A role player had become a fixture.
In the 1977 AFC Championship Game against the Oakland Raiders, Foley helped limit Hall of Fame wide receivers Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch to under 60 receiving yards each, contributing to the Broncos’ 20-17 victory and their first Super Bowl appearance.
One of Foley’s most memorable moments came on October 15, 1984, in a game forever known as “The Broncos Blizzard.”
On the 200th broadcast of ABC’s Monday Night Football, Foley and Louis Wright each returned a fumble for a touchdown in the opening minute, setting the tone for a 17-14 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Foley’s final interception came on September 20, 1986, when he stepped in front of a halfback pass from New England Patriots running back Craig James with 1:59 left in the second quarter and returned it 15 yards, a fitting play for a player defined by instincts and awareness.
Over his career (1976-86), Foley appeared in 150 games and started 135. He recorded 44 interceptions for 622 return yards, totaled 877 tackles, recovered four fumbles, and scored two defensive touchdowns in 1984 alone.
In 2024, his impact was formally recognized with induction into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
What separated Steve Foley wasn’t size or flash. It was preparation, and that edge defined one of the most dependable careers in Broncos history.
By Justin Adams, CBS Colorado
