Denver Broncos executive John Beake dies at 87

The Denver Broncos have announced the death of longtime executive and former general manager John Beake at the age of 87. No cause of death was provided by the organization.

Beake was a pivotal figure in the franchise’s history, joining the team in 1979 and serving as general manager for much of the 1980s and 1990s. He is notably credited with helping engineer the trade for Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway from the Baltimore Colts.

During his tenure, Beake helped guide the Broncos to five Super Bowl appearances, including back-to-back world championships in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Following his time with the Broncos, he served as the vice president of administration before moving to the NFL league office, where he held roles including vice president of player development and managing director of NFL Europe’s football operations.