Neal Dahlen, a prominent figure in NFL history, has passed away at the age of 85, as announced by the Broncos. Dahlen's legacy in the league is monumental, with seven Super Bowl rings to his name-a feat matched only by Tom Brady and surpassed solely by Bill Belichick.
Dahlen's illustrious career began with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was a key part of their success from 1979 to 1996, contributing to five Super Bowl victories. His journey continued with the Denver Broncos, where he played a pivotal role in their first two Super Bowl wins. During his tenure with the Broncos from 1996 to 2003, Dahlen served as the General Manager from 1999 to 2001 and later as the director of football administration.
Remarkably, Dahlen's teams never lost a Super Bowl, boasting a perfect 7-0 record. Reflecting on his career, Dahlen credited legendary quarterbacks Joe Montana, Steve Young, and John Elway for much of his success.
A native of California, Dahlen's roots in football trace back to his days as a collegiate quarterback at San Jose State, where he also earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. His contributions to the game and his impact on the teams he worked with remain a significant part of NFL history.