Former Denver Broncos general manager John Beake passed away at age 87, the team announced on Saturday afternoon.
Prior to his Broncos career, Beake coached for the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, winning Super Bowl IV alongside Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram with the Chiefs, according to the Broncos' official website.
Beake was the Broncos' general manager from 1979-2000, helping orchestrate some of the most crucial moves in franchise history, helping forever alter he fortunes of the team. In 1983, Beane helped build the trade that brought Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway from the Baltimore Colts.
Beake helped mastermind the roster building of the Broncos squad that went to six Super Bowls from 1986-1998, including the Super Bowl championship
rosters in 1997 and 1998. When Denver won Super Bowl XXXII, Beake became the first executive to earn Super Bowl titles as both an administrator and coach, according to the NFL.
After retiring as general manager in 2000, Beake joined the NFL's league office as vice president of player development and the managing director of NFL Europe's football operations. Just two years later, he was named to vice president of football development and operations.
Beake continued to be involved with the Broncos after his tenure as GM, as he was an active participant of the Ring of Honor committee.
"The Broncos are saddened by the passing of longtime executive John Beake, who made an enduring impact on our organization during more than two decades with the team," the Broncos said in a statement. "John helped guide the Broncos to five Super Bowl appearances, including back-to-back World Championships, and was a respected leader throughout one of the most successful eras in franchise history. Following his time in Denver, he remained an influential figure through his work with the NFL and on the Broncos Ring of Fame Committee. Our deepest condolences are with his wife, Marcia, his sons, Chip and Chris, and the entire Beake family."
We're saddened by the loss of former Broncos General Manager John Beake, who passed away at the age of 87.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 17, 2026
Beake, who was with the Broncos from 1979-2000, guided the organization's front office to five Super Bowl appearances, including our back-to-back victories in SB XXXII & SB… pic.twitter.com/8jwvxpSxez
The Broncos have been one of the most successful teams in NFL history, and Beake's fingerprints are all over the Lombardi Trophies Denver has. You can review all of Beake's accomplishments here.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Former Broncos GM John Beane dies at age 87
