John Elway is a renowned American former professional football quarterback who has made a lasting impact on the sport. He is currently the general manager and president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL).
Elway's impressive college football career at Stanford University set the stage for his illustrious professional career. He played his entire 16-year professional career with the Denver Broncos, a testament to his dedication and loyalty to the team. At the time of his retirement in early 1999, Elway had established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, holding the record for most victories by a starting quarterback and ranking second in passing yards.
A versatile player, Elway was also a skilled rusher, earning him the distinction of being one of only two players to score a rushing touchdown in four different Super Bowls. He was the first selection in the 1983 NFL Draft, famously known as the quarterback class of 1983, and went on to play for the Denver Broncos, leading the team to five Super Bowls and winning two championships.
Elway's most notable performance came in January 1987, when he engineered a 98-yard, game-tying touchdown drive in the AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns. Although the Broncos lost in Super Bowl XXI to the New York Giants, Elway continued to lead the team to success, winning two more Super Bowls in the late 1990s.
The Broncos' decline in the early 1990s was reversed during the 1997 season, as Elway and the team 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, with Elway being voted MVP of the game.
After his retirement as a player, Elway transitioned into a successful executive career, serving as general manager and executive vice president of football operations for the Broncos. During his tenure, the team won four division titles, two AFC Championships, and Super Bowl 50.
Elway's numerous accolades include being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. His legacy continues to be felt in the world of football, and he remains an iconic figure in the sport.
