Rob Lytle, R.I.P.: Fond farewell to Michigan great & Broncos' phantom fumbler (VIDEOS)

News about the death of former Denver Broncos running back Rob Lytle at age 56 came as a shock to all Broncos fans who remember the period when the team went from perennial doormat to NFL power. As an NFL player, Lytle is best known for a fumble that wasn't...

By Michael Roberts

November 22, 2010

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

News about the death of former Denver Broncos running back Rob Lytle at age 56 came as a shock to all Broncos fans who remember the period when the team went from perennial doormat to NFL power. As an NFL player, Lytle is best known for a fumble that wasn't called during the 1977 championship game against the Oakland Raiders, but he was much more than that -- a fresh-faced overachiever who epitomized the team's unlikely rise to the top.

Look below to see a newly assembled tribute clip focusing on his days as a Michigan Wolverine, featuring an extended interview with an impossibly young-looking Lytle. After that, relive part of that notorious AFC championship game. The fumble takes place shortly after the eight-minute mark, following some nostalgic looks at the likes of Craig Morton and Haven Moses in action. Rob Lytle, R.I.P.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo