If you've ever cheered for a John Elway highlight, you owe a little thanks to John Beake. The former Denver Broncos general manager died at 87, the team announced Saturday. His family confirmed the news, and no cause was given.

Beake joined the Broncos in 1979 and became GM in 1983. That same year, he helped pull off the trade with the Baltimore Colts that brought Elway to Denver. Elway became a Hall of Fame quarterback, won Super Bowls after the 1997 and 1998 seasons, and later won another one as the team's GM.

"John helped guide the Broncos to five Super Bowl appearances, including back-to-back world championships," the team said in a statement, calling him "a respected leader throughout one of the most successful eras in franchise history."

Beake was with the Broncos until 2000. After that, he worked in the NFL's league office, including running football operations for NFL Europe. Before Denver, he coached under Hall of Famer Hank Stram in Kansas City and New Orleans.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

What's next: The Broncos (4-2) visit Arizona next Sunday, Oct. 25, at 2:05 p.m. MT.