This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/31/2012.
The 1986-87 Denver Broncos finished the regular season with an 10-4-1 record, best in the AFC West. In the Divisional Round, John Elway and the Broncos would face Warren Moon and the Houston Oilers. Denver capitalized on Houston’s early mistakes and took a 14-0 lead after converting two turnovers into touchdowns. Once the Broncos had the lead they never looked back, easily handling Houston and ultimately winning the game 34-10. Just as in the previous season, the Broncos would advance to face the Bernie Kosar and the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Championship. Denver’s defense picked up where they left off in the matchup against Houston, once again capitalizing on two early miscues by Cleveland and jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Broncos saw themselves up 21-3 at the half but their lead would diminish to just seven points after allowing three Cleveland touchdowns while putting up ten points of their own in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Browns drove 87 yards and tied the score with Kosar's 4-yard touchdown pass to Webster Slaughter, but it was countered by Elway's 20-yard touchdown pass to running back Sammy Winder with 4 minutes left in regulation. Two Denver penalties had allowed the Browns to move the ball 67 yards to the Broncos 8-yard line with 1:12 remaining in regulation. If the previous year produced "The Drive," this game ended with "The Fumble." Browns running back Earnest Byner took a handoff and appeared to be on his way to score the game-tying touchdown when he was stripped of the ball by Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Castille, and fumbled at the 3-yard line. The Broncos recovered, gave the Browns an intentional safety on the ensuing drive and went on to win 38-33. The Broncos were once again crowned Champions of the AFC sending them to Super Bowl XXII. This size 15, 10k gold player’s ring weighs 42 grams and was presented to offensive lineman Keith Kartz in 1987 when he was part of the Denver Broncos AFC Championship team. The top panel reads “DENVER BRONCOS 1987 AFC CHAMPIONS” surrounding 16 round-cut diamonds with an approximate diamond weight of 1.00-carats. In the center of the face is a casted image of the classic Broncos “D” logo sitting atop a brown stone. The left panel features the player name “KARTZ” above the official Super Bowl XXII logo and “NFL”. The right panel reads “BRONCOS VS BROWNS 38-33” above a casted image of the Lamar Hunt Trophy. The inside of the ring is stamped “©JOSTENS”. Included is the original wooden presentation box. The box measures 6-3/8” x 2-1/2” x 3-1/2” and is engraved “DENVER BRONCOS” on the top along with a Denver helmet and the plaque on the inside reads “DENVER BRONCOS 1987 AFC CHAMPIONS KEITH KARTZ”. The ring is in NRMT condition and is also accompanied by a LOA from Keith Kartz.