One of 29 individuals to be selected to multiple All-Decade teams, Upchurch is noted as one of the greatest return specialists of all time.

In his second season, he set an NFL record by returning four punts for touchdowns and made the Pro Bowl.

In the 1977 season, he led the NFL with 653 punt return yards and assisted his team to their first ever Super Bowl appearance.

The Broncos lost Super Bowl XII to the Dallas Cowboys 27–10, but he had a good performance in the game.

Overall, Upchurch gained 10,081 total yards and scored 35 touchdowns: eight returning punts, 24 receiving, and three rushing.