by Robert Steadman

Created on: January 06, 2009

John Elway was never considered a quiter, even when the odds were against him and the Denver Broncos. During John 15 year career he has led the team to 47 remarkable 4th quarter comebacks. John has played in 6 AFC champoionship games and 5 SuperBowls winning 2 of them.

John was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1983, then immediately traded to the Denver Broncos. John played football and Baseball for Stanford University. John threw 77 touchdown passes in his 4 yr career at Stanford. Elway was a two-time All-American selection. John Elway broke 5 NCAA records and finished second in the Heisman Trophy race in 1983 to Hercel Walker of the University of Georgia. In Elway's sophmore year, he did play for the New York Yankees minor league team. John batted .318. John could have played baseball full time. John did asked the Colts not to draft him. John did not like the coach Frank Kush, John wanted to played in the west coast. After the draft, John considered to give up football, to sign a long-term deal with the Yankees. A week later John was traded to the Denver Broncos for 2 first round picks and quarterback Mark Hermann. John Elway signed a contract that made him second-highest paid quarterback in football.

John's rookie year was tough and he struggled to meet high expectations of the team and the fans. John was taken out in each of his first 2 starts, replaced by veteran Steve Deburg, and suffered a sprain elbow, making it difficult for him to pass. Denver Coach Dan reeves stuck with John Elway, and Elway improved enough that season to lead the team to a 9-7 record.

In 1984, John Elway playing improved and Coach Reeves traded deburg a move to prove to Elway that the quarterback job was his. John responded by completing 56 percent of his passes. throwing 18 touchdowns, and leading the Broncos to a 13-3 record and the West division title. Denver lost to the Steelers 24-17 in the first round of the play-offs, but the Broncos had proven they were the team on the rise.

In 1985, John Elway became one of the NFL's young quarterbacks. Elway was second in the NFL completions (327) and passing yards (3,891). John led all AFC quarterbacks in rushing for the second straight season, and led the NFL in total yards ( passing and rushing yards combined). John threw for more than 250 yards seven times. Broncos won 11 games, but did not make the play-offs.

John Elway had an incredible career with the Broncos. Elway was named 1987 NFL MVP. 1987 ALL-Pro. 3 time ALL-NFL. ALL_AFC 4 times. John was elected to play in 9 Pro Bowls. John career stats. 51,475 passing yards. 300 touchdowns. started in 5 Superbowls. winning his last 2, SuperBowl 32 and SuperBowl 33. John was named MVP in Super Bowl 33.

John finally showed the NFL world that he could finally win the big game. I know everyone that is a NFL fan will miss watching John Elway play the game. He retired to be on top. John thank you for the memories.

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