Neal Dahlen obit

Broncos mourn passing of former GM Neal Dahlen

 

He was not on the list.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Former Broncos general manager Neal Dahlen has passed away, his family confirmed.

Dahlen, who served as the Broncos' director of player personnel during their first two world championships, was 85 years old.

The Broncos' general manager from 1999-2001, Dahlen won seven world championships during his NFL career. In addition to the titles he won with the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII, Dahlen also won five Super Bowls with the 49ers.

The front office executive, who also worked as the Broncos' director of football administration before retiring, was a perfect 7-0 in Super Bowls during his career.

"I attribute my good fortune to three key elements: Joe Montana, Steve Young and John Elway," Dahlen told the Los Angeles Times' Sam Farmer in 2018.

Dahlen remains tied with Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady for the second-most Super Bowl wins in NFL history and trails only former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. He held the record alone for the most Super Bowl titles for an individual until Belichick and the Patriots won Super Bowl LI in 2017.

A California native, Dahlen was a collegiate quarterback before his career as an executive. Dahlen earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from San Jose State.

Dahlen later coached baseball and football while teaching PE at Hillsdale (Calif.) High School, and he led the football team to four championships. He also played collegiately and coached at the College of San Mateo.

For his accomplishments, Dahlen was inducted into the Hillsdale High School Hall of Fame, the College of San Mateo Hall of Fame and the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame.