. He barrelled over safety Robert Blanton into the end zone on his seco

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Frank Tripucka was the first quarterback for the Broncos and the original No. 18 in Denver. His number was retired until 2012 when he gladly and graciously allowed Peyton Manning to wear it. Tripucka died Thursday at his home in Woodland Park, N.J., at age 85. His son, Kelly Tripucka, a former Notre Dame basketball standout, said his father died of congestive heart failure. "He is proudly remembered as one of professional footballs first great drop-back quarterbacks," the Broncos said in a statement. "Frank will always hold a very special place in Broncos history for what he meant to this organization and community." A former standout at Notre Dame, Tripucka joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1953 and stayed with the team until he was dealt to the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1959. He rejoined Saskatchewan in a coaching capacity later that year. Tripucka also played for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Cardinals and Dallas Texans. He was brought in as a coach before the 1960 season, but it became obvious he was Denvers best option at QB. Tripucka threw for 3,038 yards and 24 touchdowns that season. Hes also credited with tossing the first touchdown pass in American Football League history, a 59-yard connection to Al Carmichael. His number was one of three retired by the Broncos, but Tripucka graciously gave Manning permission to wear it when he joined the team two years ago. At the time, Tripucka said: "If Peyton wants the number, they should give it to him. They definitely should." Manning threw for seven touchdowns in a season-opening win over Baltimore last week, breaking Tripuckas team record of five set against Buffalo on Oct. 28, 1962, and later tied by John Elway and Gus Frerotte. Manning also threw for 462 yards against the Ravens, moving him past Tripucka and into a third-place tie for most in a game in franchise history. Tripucka threw for 447 in that Buffalo game. Tripucka spent four seasons with the Broncos and played in the 62 AFL All-Star Game. He returned to Saskatchewan in 1963 for a final season as a player with the Riders. In 96 CFL regular-season games over eight seasons, Tripucka threw for 15,506 yards and 87 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in 1986. At Notre Dame, Tripucka led the Irish to a 9-0-1 record and a No. 2 ranking in 1948. Before becoming the starter, Tripucka was a backup to Heisman Trophy winner John Lujack, who led the Irish to back-to-back national championships. As a senior, Tripucka threw for 660 yards and 11 touchdowns as the Irish won all their games except for a tie with USC. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the ninth overall selection in 1949. Funeral arrangements were pending. He is survived by his wife, Randy, and seven children. LeBron James Shoes Outlet . This is not some token job for a prominent, popular former player. 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Steve Mason, Philadelphia (4) - Mason was brilliant all night long with save after big save on Benoit Pouliot, Carl Hagelin and Derick Brassard. Clearance LeBron James Shoes . They started shooting the puck. Joe Pavelski had a hat trick to move into a tie for second in the NHL in goals and the Sharks beat Philadelphia 7-3 Thursday night in the first game for both teams following the Olympic break.GREEN BAY, Wis. - Julius Peppers crossed the goal line and caught his breath. But his work wasnt done after returning an interception 49 yards for a touchdown. Teammate Morgan Burnett pointed to the stands a€” time for Peppers first Lambeau Leap. One of many for the Packers on Thursday night. Aaron Rodgers threw for three scores, and Eddie Lacy ran for a season-high 105 yards and two touchdowns in the 42-10 rout of the Minnesota Vikings. Jordy Nelson hauled in a 66-yard touchdown catch. Things were going so well in Green Bay that even Peppers found his way to the end zone through the mist. But something was missing. (Burnett)just said, Go, go, go, go! Peppers recounted. This is all new to Peppers after joining the Packers in the off-season as a free agent. It was actually pretty tough to get up there. I was pretty tired after that run, so I barely got up there, Peppers said. It was tough. The Vikings had it much worse. The Packers led 28-0 after the first half played in a light rain. They essentially toyed with Minnesota the rest of the way. Green Bay outplayed us, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. They were more physical than we were. They did a much better job all night. Peppers had the highlight-reel play in the second quarter after picking off a pass over the middle from Christian Ponder, who was hit by tackle Luther Robinson as he released the throw. The 34-year-old Peppers veered left across the field and waited for blocks before striding the final 10 yards along the sideline to make it 21-0 with 7:06 left in the second quarter. Peppers became the first player in NFL history with 100 sacks and 10 interceptions. I like the way it went tonight, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. Yeah, Ill take this. Ponder struggled in getting the start at quarterback with rookie Teddy Bridgewater out with a sprained left ankle. Jamari Lattimore intercepted Ponders pass over the middle on Minnesotas drive after the Peppers touchdown, setting up Rodgers 11-yard scoring pass to Davante Adams to give Green Bay a four-touchdown lead with 4:55 left in the first half. That was Rodgers 200th career touchdown a€” though he let Adams keep the ball in honour of his first career score. Im very proud of Aaron, McCarthy said. It seems like hes in the point of his career now where every week or every other week hes breakiing a record.dddddddddddd The rest of the game was a mere formality. Fans took delight in showering former Green Bay receiver Greg Jennings with boos whenever he touched the ball. Jennings finished with two catches for 31 yards. Rodgers was 12 of 17 for 156 yards a€” and the offence wasnt really at its best. There were several three-and-outs sprinkled among the touchdown drives. But after a short week to get ready for a Thursday night game, the Packers will surely relish this win over a long weekend. On the touchdown to Nelson, Rodgers found the NFLs leading receiver on play-action. Nelson caught the pass stride at the 20 and easily outraced safety Harrison Smith into end zone for the Packers second touchdown. Rodgers also connected with Randall Cobb for an 8-yard touchdown pass set up by three straight long runs by Lacy. Cobb scored his league-leading sixth touchdown of the season. The Packers struggling running game also got back on track, with Lacy running for touchdowns on back-to-back drives in the third quarter. He barrelled over safety Robert Blanton into the end zone on his second score, from 10 yards out. Eddie, you know, hes going to be a guy whos just going to be continuing to lay on people and to be more of a force as the weather continues to turn here, Rodgers said. In contrast, Minnesota rarely advanced past midfield. Its only venture across the 50 in the first half ended with Burnett forcing Matt Asiata to fumble after an 11-yard run, and Casey Hayward recovered the Vikings third consecutive turnover. Under pressure much of the night, Minnesota could rarely get anything going through the air until late with the game well in hand. Ponder was 22 of 44 for 222 yards. Green Bay finished with six sacks, including 1 1/2 apiece for Mike Daniels and former Viking Letroy Guion. The Vikings finally broke the shutout on Ponders 6-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. But they still trailed 42-7. Playing like that, you dont have much to say. It was embarrassing. Thats not the way I expected to come out and play, Ponder said. Minnesota had the most notable injury when receiver Cordarelle Patterson left with a hip injury early in the third quarter after making a 6-yard catch. For Green Bay, defensive lineman Datone Jones left in the second quarter with an ankle injury. ' ' '