Denver acquired Bob Scarpitto, Bob Zeman and Luther Hayes…
Denver acquired Bob Scarpitto, Bob Zeman and Luther Hayes from San Diego for cash on March 15, 1962. The deal paid off quickly: Scarpitto caught 35 passes for 667 yards and six touchdowns in 1962, while Zeman started all 14 games, intercepted six passes and earned All-AFL recognition. Hayes did not become a regular-season contributor, but the two established starters make Denver the clear winner.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Bob Scarpitto
- player Bob Zeman
- player Luther Hayes
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- other cash
Trade Analysis
Why the Trade Happened
San Diego entered 1962 reshaping a roster that had reached the first two AFL Championship Games. Denver, coming off a 3-11 season, had every reason to buy established talent. On March 15, the Chargers sent flanker Bob Scarpitto, safety Bob Zeman and end Luther Hayes to the Broncos for cash. Denver's own historical transaction record confirms the three-player package, while individual player records for Scarpitto and Zeman independently place their moves to Denver on March 15.
What Denver Received
The Broncos received two immediate starters. Scarpitto appeared in all 14 games in 1962, started 12 and caught 35 passes for 667 yards and six touchdowns, ranking among the AFL's leading receivers. Zeman also started all 14 games, intercepted six passes for 133 yards, returned one for a touchdown and earned All-AFL recognition. He remained a starter in 1963. Hayes did not appear in a Denver regular-season game, but the lack of production from the third player barely dents a package that delivered major value from the other two.
What San Diego Received
The Chargers received cash rather than a player or draft choice. The amount is not identified in the durable team history, so its financial value cannot be compared precisely with the players Denver obtained. For football-value purposes, however, there is no downstream San Diego roster asset to credit from the transaction. The Chargers gave up a productive young receiver and a starting safety who immediately became an all-league performer for a division rival.
Final Verdict
Denver Broncos Win. Denver earns an A- because Scarpitto and Zeman became high-impact 1962 starters and continued contributing beyond the first season. San Diego gets a D: cash may have served a business purpose, but the documented football return cannot match two productive starters. The undisclosed dollar amount keeps this from an even harsher Chargers grade.