The image of Ed McCaffrey in midair, with his face grimacing in pain and his left leg bent in a way that no leg should ever bend, may always be ingrained in the minds of Broncos fans.
After leaping for a one-handed grab in the third quarter of the Broncos’ 2001 opener, McCaffrey was pummeled by New York Giants safety Shaun Williams. The Broncos’ star receiver lay on the ground, reeling in pain. Shortly after trainers whisked him off the field on a cart, his leg stuffed in a blue boot and his career hanging in the balance.