Austin 'Goose' Gonsoulin, ex-Denver Broncos great, dies at age 76

Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin, a former Pro Bowl safety for the Denver Broncos and a member of the team's Ring of Fame, has died. He was 76.

Gonsoulin died Monday while in hospice care in Beaumont, said Kathy Levingston of Levingston Funeral Home in nearby Groves, Texas.

She did not have a cause of death but said Gonsoulin was battling prostate cancer.

Following a standout career at Baylor University, Gonsoulin was picked in the American Football League draft by the Dallas Texans, who then shipped him to the Broncos in the team's first trade.

Around the Mile High City, Gonsoulin was known as an "Original Bronco." He led Denver in interceptions four times during his career and was enshrined in the team's Ring of Fame in 1984.

Gonsoulin arrived at his first camp in 1960 along with 120 other guys, some of whom were oil-field workers, and was concerned simply with making the roster.

He instantly stood out and had 11 interceptions his rookie season, which remains a Broncos record. Gonsoulin also played in five All-Star games -- would've been six, but one of the games was canceled.

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Gonsoulin came up with the American Football League's first interception against Boston and finished his Broncos career as the former league's all-time leader with 43.

He once had four interceptions in a game against Buffalo and another three off Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson.

The durable defensive back also picked off big-name QBs such as George Blanda, Jack Kemp and John Hadl.