John Elway

John Albert Elway (born June 28, 1960) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos from 1983 through 1998.

Biography

Elway was born in Port Angeles, Washington. He attended Granada Hills High School in Granada Hills, California. He ended his high school career with 5,711 passing yards, and after passing for 49 touchdowns. At Stanford University, that would continue, as he continued as a baseball player and quarterback. His last football game at Stanford was one of the most famous games of all time, the 1982 Big Game versus Cal, which ended with "The Play", an amazing play with five laterals that allowed Cal to win the game. By the end of his senior year, Elway had set nearly every Pac-10 and Stanford career record for total offense and passing. He was a consensus All-American and finished second in Heisman Trophy balloting. He graduated with a degree in economics. Elway is also a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

Related Topics:
Port Angeles, Washington - Granada Hills High School - Granada Hills, California - Stanford University - Baseball - 1982 - Big Game - Cal - The Play - Lateral - Pac-10 - All-America - Heisman Trophy - Economics - Delta Tau Delta

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In the 1983 draft, Elway was selected as the 1st overall pick by the Baltimore Colts, but he threatened to quit football and play professional baseball if he was not traded (he had by then played two summers in the New York Yankees organization). The Colts traded him to the Denver Broncos for two veterans and a first-round pick in the 1984 draft. In his fifth season, Elway was named league MVP.

Related Topics:
1983 - Draft - Baltimore Colts - New York Yankees - Denver Broncos - 1984

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During the 1997 preseason American Bowl game in Mexico City, Elway ruptured his right (throwing arm) biceps tendon. It was treated non-surgically, and he returned to play 19 days later, going on that season to finally win a Super Bowl ? behind the overwhelming running game of Terrell Davis ? after three previous failed attempts. In 1998, the Broncos repeated this feat and Elway was awarded the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII; it was his last game.

Related Topics:
1997 - American Bowl - Mexico City - Biceps - Tendon - Super Bowl - Terrell Davis - 1998 - MVP - Super Bowl XXXIII

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On May 2, 1999, at the age of 38, Elway announced his retirement from pro football. Elway is regarded as one of the top quarterbacks ever to play the game. Not only does he have more wins than any other quarterback in NFL history, but he has the best winning percentage in league history (148-82-1), and is tied for most Pro Bowl selections for a quarterback (nine). He is second to Dan Marino in career passing yards, attempts, and completions. He is the first quarterback to have started in five Super Bowls.

Related Topics:
May 2 - 1999 - Pro Bowl - Dan Marino

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Elway also holds the record for most game-winning or game-tying scoring drives in the fourth quarter, with 47. Surprisingly often, if Elway had the ball late in the fourth quarter and the Broncos were within a touchdown, he would lead them to tie or win the game. Elway had many comeback opportunities because for most of his career, the Broncos were a good, but not dominant, team. Part of the reason that Denver was not a dominant team can be attributed to Dan Reeves, who coached Elway for the majority of his career. Reeves had a conservative "run-first" approach, and did not have an intimidating running back to power the offense. This often left the Broncos in situations where they were behind in the fourth quarter. Elway holds the record for most times being sacked (516).

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He and his ex-wife Janet have four children: daughters Jessica, Jordan, Juliana, and a son, Jack. Jessica Elway is currently a basketball player for Stanford's women's team.

Related Topics:
Jessica Elway - Basketball - Stanford's

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His number 7 jersey was retired by the Denver Broncos in 1999, the same year he was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. He was the first player to have the five-year waiting period waived. In 2004, Elway was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is the only player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Bronco.

Related Topics:
Denver Broncos - 1999 - 2004 - Pro Football Hall of Fame

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