John Elway

American football player and general manager

John Elway was an NFL legend who led the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl championships as a player and one as a front office executive. He was known for his strong arm, clutch performances, and epic comebacks, cementing his place as one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history.

Table of Contents

About the John Elway

John Albert Elway Jr.is an American former professional football quarterback who spent his entire 16-year career with the Denver Broncos of the National Football Leagueand the only quarterback to do so.

While playing college football at Stanford, Elway set several career records for passing attempts and completions and also received unanimous All-American honors. He was the first selection in the 1983 NFL draft, famously known as the “quarterback class of 1983”, where he was taken by the Baltimore Colts before being traded to the Denver Broncos. In January 1987, Elway embarked on one of the most notable performances in sports and in NFL history, helping engineer a 98-yard, game-tying touchdown drive in the AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns, a moment later dubbed “The Drive”. Following that game in Cleveland, Elway and the Broncos lost in Super Bowl XXI to the New York Giants.

After two more Super Bowl losses, the Broncos entered a period of decline; however, that ended during the 1997 season, as Elway and Denver won their first Super Bowl title by defeating the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII. The Broncos repeated as champions the following season in Super Bowl XXXIII by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-19. Elway was named MVP of that Super Bowl, which was the last game of his career, and in doing so Elway set a then-record five Super Bowl starts which was broken in February 2015 when Tom Brady of the New England Patriots started Super Bowl XLIX. After his retirement as a player, Elway served as general manager and executive vice president of football operations of the Broncos, which won four division titles, two AFC Championships, and Super Bowl 50 during his tenure, making Elway a three-time Super Bowl Champion with the Broncos – two as a player and one as an executive. Elway was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Frequently Asked Questions

John Elway spent his entire 16-year professional football career with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL).

John Elway, along with former backup quarterback and head coach Gary Kubiak, are the only individuals to be associated with all three of the Broncos’ Super Bowl wins.

At the time of his retirement in early 1999, Elway had the most victories by a starting quarterback and was statistically the second most prolific passer in NFL history.

After his playing career, John Elway spent 11 years with the Broncos in various front office positions, eventually being promoted to general manager.

In January 1987, Elway embarked on one of the most notable performances in sports and in NFL history, helping engineer a 98-yard, game-tying touchdown drive in the AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns, a moment later dubbed ‘The Drive’.

John Elway was a three-time Super Bowl Champion with the Broncos – two as a player and one as an executive.

Elway was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

25 Quotes by John Elway

  1. 1.

    I look at my career and it’s still hard for me to believe the way things turned out and how things happened. I’ve been so blessed.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  2. 2.

    I would hope this experience would help me if that NFL opportunity were to arise. But I also know that it’s a totally different league. There’s a lot more to it.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  3. 3.

    There have been openings, but I have not interviewed for any jobs, nor do I want to right now.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  4. 4.

    There are a lot of people who might not get another chance to win a Super Bowl, not just me.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  5. 5.

    I’ve experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows. I think to really appreciate anything you have to be at both ends of the spectrum.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  6. 6.

    I can’t compare quarterbacks as apples and oranges in my mind because everybody’s in a different system.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  7. 7.

    I had a great time doing Vegas. It’s just that it takes a lot of time.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  8. 8.

    Being thrown into the fire and getting the thing turned around in a hurry made it more difficult. Things have been done the hard way. I think you learn better when things are done the hard way.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  9. 9.

    I was so lucky to walk away with two Super Bowls and know that the last year was positive.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  10. 10.

    You learn a lot more from the lows because it makes you pay attention to what you’re doing.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  11. 11.

    The Arena League is the best thing that could have happened to me because I get to run the whole process. I’m seeing not only the football side but the business side.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  12. 12.

    I always believe there’s a reason why you go through everything.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  13. 13.

    I don’t have any pangs to where I want to be with the Broncos.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  14. 14.

    I’m getting the basics with the AFL, but the NFL is a different animal.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  15. 15.

    I’m watching the Weather Channel more than I’ve ever watched it. I’m scared to death it’s going to rain.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  16. 16.

    As football players you have all the experience on the field. You don’t have the experience off the field.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  17. 17.

    I’m happy with the Arena Football League right now. I’m happy in Denver.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  18. 18.

    I’ve always joked about Joe Montana not appreciating his Super Bowls nearly as much as I do because he never lost one. We lost three before we got one.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  19. 19.

    I don’t know if I like being the sentimental favorite.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  20. 20.

    We get done with the game, and it’s an absolute downpour 30 minutes later. That’s when I thought God was telling me that’s enough-time for you to go do something else.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  21. 21.

    It’s all about putting the best team together – not just in the front office but the players on the field.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  22. 22.

    How ironic, to be my last game that I ever played would be against Dan in a Super Bowl. The thing I always was afraid of was playing in a Super Bowl when it was raining. I can’t throw a wet ball.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  23. 23.

    A guy as great as Brett Favre has been for the length of time he’s been, you would hope that he would be able to leave the game with a positive flavor in his mouth.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  24. 24.

    I would have loved to have played for Joe Gibbs. Look at his record of winning three Super Bowls.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager

  25. 25.

    It’s really been a better situation for me being with the Crush than it would if I were with the Broncos because this has given me a lot more broad range.

    John Elway

    American football player and general manager