When the Denver Broncos selected Ken Lanier in the fifth round of the 1981 draft out of Florida State, nobody expected a late-round flyer to become a decade-long fixture on the offensive line. After using his rookie year to adapt to the speed of the pro game, Lanier took over as the starting right tackle in 1982 and locked down the position for nearly the next decade.

Lanier’s promotion to the starting lineup coincided perfectly with the arrival of John Elway in 1983, making the right tackle Elway's primary front-side protector during his legendary early scrambles and fourth-quarter comebacks. Lanier proved to be a durable iron man, stringing together 178 consecutive starts (including postseason play) while rarely surrendering a snap. From 1982 through 1992, he missed just four regular-season games, anchoring an offensive line undergoing constant retooling around him.

His consistent performance was crucial to Dan Reeves' offense, guiding Denver through three AFC Championship appearances and starting at right tackle in Super Bowls XXI, XXII, and XXIV. Showing leadership in the locker room, his teammates chose him as a team captain for Super Bowl XXIV.

Following a brief two-game stint with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1993, Lanier returned to Mile High for a final four-game run in 1994 to finish his career where it all started.  Overall, he started 165 games for the team.