John Beake dies at 87. His football life reached far beyond Denver.

John Beake, the former Denver Broncos general manager whose tenure included the franchise's first two Super Bowl victories, has died at 87. The Broncos announced his death Saturday, October 17. Their statement did not give a cause of death.

Denver credits Beake with 14 years as general manager, five Super Bowl appearances, seven division titles and 12 playoff appearances. He joined the organization in 1979 and helped arrange the 1983 trade for John Elway. Those eventual championships followed years when reaching the Super Bowl had not meant winning it.

The New York and New Jersey years

His regional connections are worth remembering too. A New Jersey native, he graduated from Long Branch High School and played football at Trenton State. Before Denver, he coached at Nyack High School and New York Military Academy, as well as with the Chiefs and Saints. Kansas City's Super Bowl IV victory gave him a championship as an assistant coach before his front-office titles in Denver.

Beake later worked in the NFL office and served on Denver's Ring of Fame committee. A football career can leave its most visible record in championship lists. His also ran through school teams, personnel work and the less public business of building an organization. The Broncos' remembrance places those years beside the trophies.