Mark Kiszla

Sports columnist

Mark Kiszla

Mark Kiszla is an award-winning sports columnist who wrote for The Denver Post from the fall of 1983 to 2024. During his time at the Post, he was named Colorado Sportswriter of the Year four times and was honored as a top 10 columnist in the nation by the Associated Press Sports Editors as recently as 2021.

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton on the sideline at Empower Field at Mile High on September 17, 2023, in Denver. The Denver Broncos lost 35-33 to the Washington Commanders during week 2 of the NFL season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: Broncos’ best hope is to tank for the privilege of drafting USC quarterback Caleb Williams

September 17, 2023 at 9:05 p.m.

After blowing an 18-point lead and losing to Washington 35-33 on Sunday, the next destination for the Broncos is Tank City.

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 10: Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks to quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on a timeout during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High September 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

Kickin’ It with Kiz: Would 抖阴apountry trade Russell and Sean for Shedeur and Deion right now?

September 16, 2023 at 2:49 p.m.

If the staff here at Kickin' It Headquarters took a poll on a glorious Sunday afternoon, would a majority of orange-clad fans in Empower Field at Mile High vote to...

Head Coach Deion Sanders takes the field during warmups

at Folsom Field on September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. Coach Sanders will lead the Colorado Buffaloes in a matchup against their long-time rivals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, during Coach Prime's highly anticipated home debut. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: For his next trick, CU Buffs coach Deion Sanders could drive CSU football into oblivion

September 14, 2023 at 7:39 p.m.

鈥淚f we鈥檙e going to have to pay the players, college athletics that we've been used to will be obliterated. College athletics as we鈥檝e known it will be gone within three...

DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 10: Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks at the sidelines at Empower Field on September 10, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos under new head coach Sean Payton lost 17 to 16 to divisional opponents the Las Vegas Raiders to start the 2023 NFL regular season. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: Have we seen the first hint Russell Wilson can’t play quarterback for Sean Payton?

September 13, 2023 at 7:45 p.m.

Only two games deep into his tenure as Denver鈥檚 coach, Sean Payton might have to decide if he鈥檚 really willing to ride or die with Russell Wilson as quarterback of...

From left, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and kicker Wil Lutz. (Photos by RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)

Kiszla vs. Gabriel: Who’s on the hotter seat at Broncos HQ, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph or kicker Wil Lutz?

September 11, 2023 at 5:02 p.m.

The Broncos came out of a Week 1 home loss to Las Vegas with questions abound. Included: How much leash does new kicker Wil Lutz have? And how is Vance...

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on during the Broncos 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Game 1 of the NFL regular season at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on 10, 2023. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: Blame Broncos’ embarrassing loss to Raiders on hare-brained onside kick of coach Sean Payton

September 10, 2023 at 8:27 p.m.

Sean Payton lost his coaching debut with the Broncos with such a tired and lame strategy that even a knucklehead like Nathaniel Hackett wouldn鈥檛 have thought of it.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws down field against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on 10, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

How it happened: Broncos blow fourth-quarter lead, lose to Raiders in season opener

September 10, 2023 at 9:01 p.m.

Live updates, tweets, photos, analysis and more from the Denver Broncos' NFL Week 1 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 10, 2022.

Kiszla: Every win by Deion Sanders and Buffs forces Boulder to change the way it looks at itself in the mirror

September 11, 2023 at 8:24 a.m.

The real magic of the 2-0 start of Coach Prime is how the shiny gold chain around his neck and the bodacious Turnover Throne on his CU sideline have shaken...

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and head coach Sean Payton walk past each other on the sideline during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 11, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Kickin’ It with Kiz: Is Broncos coach Sean Payton itching to bench Russell Wilson? That’s nonsense.

September 9, 2023 at 2:39 p.m.

Russell Wilson may not be Drew Brees. but Sean Payton won games in New Orleans with Teddy Bridgewater, Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston, too.

Broncos coach Sean Payton walks the sidelines during Denver's first preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)

Kiszla: Beating the hated Raiders is must win for new Broncos coach Sean Payton

September 11, 2023 at 10:39 a.m.

Beating duh hated Rai-duhs in his debut as Broncos coach is nothing less than a must-win game for Sean Payton. Things have changed around here and Payton has all the...

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