Elway, John (1960-…), ranks among the greatest quarterbacks in football history. He became known for his strong passing arm, for his leadership, and for directing dramatic last-minute scoring drives. Elway played his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He led Denver to five Super Bowl games, winning in 1998 and 1999. Elway was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1999 Super Bowl.
John Albert Elway was born on June 28, 1960, in Port Angeles, Washington. He was a star quarterback at Stanford University and set several national career passing records before graduating in 1982. Elway was also a star baseball player for Stanford as an outfielder. The New York Yankees signed him to a minor league contract in 1981, and he played a season of minor league ball in 1982.
The Baltimore Colts made Elway the first selection in the 1983 NFL draft, but he refused to play for Baltimore. He was traded to Denver and in 1983 became a part-time starter during his rookie season. Elway was named the NFL Player of the Year in 1987. He retired as an active player in 1999 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
After his retirement, Elway became co-owner of the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League (AFL). He was named the AFL Executive of the Year in 2003, and his team won the league championship in 2005. From 2011 to 2023, Elway served in various roles in the front office of the Denver Broncos. He was the team’s general manager from 2011 to 2021.
