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JOHN ELWAY

JOHN ELWAY

Class of 2004
Quarterback >>> 6-3, 215
(Stanford)
1983-1998 Denver Broncos

John Albert Elway. . .First overall pick of 1983 draft by Colts, traded to Broncos. . .Led Denver to record 47 fourth quarter comebacks. . .NFL's Most Valuable Player, 1987. . .Named All-Pro, 1987, second-team All-NFL three times. . .All-AFC four times. . .Elected to nine Pro Bowls. . .Career stats: 51,475 yards, 300 touchdowns. . .Started five Super Bowls. . .MVP, Super Bowl XXXIII. . .Born June 28, 1960, in Port Angeles, Washington.

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“I don’t know if I like being the sentimental favorite,” John Elway told reporters prior to Super Bowl XXXII. “There are a lot of people who might not get another chance to win a Super Bowl, not just me.” By the end of what many observers have called the greatest Super Bowl game ever played, thousands of fans in San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium were chanting “Elway, Elway, Elway.”

In almost storybook-like fashion, the veteran quarterback directed his team to a 31-24 victory over the heavily favored Green Bay Packers. It was Denver’s first Super Bowl victory. Elway would go on to lead his team to a second Super Bowl win a year later, capturing game Most Valuable Player honors in the process.

A first-round draft choice of the Baltimore Colts in 1983, Elway was immediately traded to the Broncos for two veteran players and a 1984 first-round pick. As the Broncos signal caller, Elway almost at once became one of the most feared quarterbacks in the league. From 1983 through 1998, he led his team to five victories in six AFC championship games and two Super Bowl wins. Elway’s record 47 fourth quarter game-winning or game-tying drives are legendary. In the 1986 AFC title game, Elway engineered a 98-yard come-from-behind touchdown drive to tie the Cleveland Browns and send the game into overtime. The Broncos went on to win 23-20. Today, the Elway-led fourth-quarter rally is simply referred to as “The Drive.”

The versatile Elway is the only player in National Football League history to pass for more than 3,000 yards and rush for more than 200 yards in the same season seven consecutive times. He was only the second quarterback in NFL history to record more than 40,000 yards passing and 3,000 yards rushing during his career. At the time of his retirement, he ranked second all-time in three of the game’s most significant passing categories, passing yards (51,475), attempts (7,250), and completions (4,123).

Indicative of his versatility, Elway was responsible for 334 touchdowns (300 passing; 33 rushing and one receiving) generating 4,771 of the 5,806 points (82.2%) scored by the Broncos during his 16-year tenure with the club. Selected to play in nine Pro Bowl games, Elway was a first- or second-team All-Pro choice three times and a first- or second-team All-AFC choice five times. In addition to his all-league honors, he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1987, AFC Offensive Player of the Year in 1993, and Super Bowl XXXIII Most Valuable Player.

DenverBroncos.com's coverage of John Elway

 

     
Passing
Rushing
Year Team
G
Att
Comp
Yards
TDs
Int
Rating
No.
Yds.
Avg.
TD
F
1983 Denver
11
259
123
1663
7
14
54.9
28
146
5.2
1
6
1984 Denver
15
380
214
2598
18
15
76.8
56
237
4.2
1
14
1985 Denver
16
605
327
3891
22
23
70.2
51
253
5
0
7
1986 Denver
16
504
280
3485
19
13
79
52
257
4.9
1
8
1987 Denver
12
410
224
3198
19
12
83.4
66
304
4.6
4
2
1988 Denver
15
496
274
3309
17
19
71.4
54
234
4.3
1
7
1989 Denver
15
416
223
3051
18
18
73.7
48
244
5.1
3
9
1990 Denver
16
502
294
3526
15
14
78.5
50
258
5.2
3
8
1991 Denver
16
451
242
3253
13
12
75.4
55
255
4.6
6
12
1992 Denver
12
316
174
2242
10
17
65.7
34
94
2.8
2
12
1993 Denver
16
551
348
4030
25
10
92.8
44
153
3.5
0
8
1994 Denver
14
494
307
3490
16
10
85.7
58
235
4.1
4
11
1995 Denver
16
542
316
3970
26
14
86.4
41
176
4.3
1
9
1996 Denver
15
466
287
3328
26
14
89.2
50
249
5
4
6
1997 Denver
16
502
280
3635
27
11
87.5
50
218
4.4
1
11
1998 Denver
13
356
210
2806
22
10
93
37
94
2.5
1
7
Career Total
234
7250
4123
51,475
300
226
79.9
774
3407
4.4
33
137
 
Additional Career Statistics: Receiving: 3-61, 1 TD; Punting: 7-253, 36.1 avg.; 2-Point Conversions: 1
Championship Games
  • 1986 AFC - Denver Broncos 23, Cleveland Browns 20 (OT)
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 22 of 38 passes for 244 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also had four rushes for 56 yards, and one punt for 19 yards.

     
  • 1987 AFC - Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 14 of 26 passes for 281 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also had 11 rushes for 36 yards, and one punt for 18 yards.

     
  • 1989 AFC - Denver Broncos 37, Cleveland Browns 21
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 20 of 36 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns. He also had five rushes for 39 yards.

     
  • 1991 AFC - Buffalo Bills 10, Denver Broncos 7
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 11 of 21 passes for 121 yards and one interception. He also had four rushes for 10 yards.

     
  • 1997 AFC - Denver Broncos 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 21
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 18 of 31 passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also had two rushes for 9 yards.

     
  • 1998 AFC - Denver Broncos 23, New York Jets 10
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 13 of 34 passes for 173 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He also had three rushes for 13 yards.

Super Bowls
 

  • Super Bowl XXI- New York Giants 39, Denver Broncos 20
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 22 of 37 passes for 304 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was also the team's leading rusher with six attempts for 27 yards and one touchdown.

     
  • Super Bowl XXII - Washington Redskins 42, Denver Broncos 10
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 14 of 38 passes for 257 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He also had three rushes for 32 yards.

     
  • Super Bowl XXIV - San Francisco 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 10 of 26 passes for 108 yards and two interceptions. He also had four rushes for eight yards, and one touchdown.

     
  • Super Bowl XXXII - Denver Broncos 31, Green Bay Packers 24
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 123 yards and one interception. He also had five rushes for 17 yards and one touchdown.

     
  • Super Bowl XXXIII - Denver Broncos 34, Atlanta Falcons 19
    Elway started at quarterback. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 336 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also had three rushes for two yards and one touchdown. Elway was named Most Valuable Player of the Game.
     

All-League Teams

All-Pro: 1987 (NEA, SN)

All-Pro Second Team: 1987 (AP), 1993 (AP), 1996 (AP)

All-AFC: 1987 (UPI, PW), 1993 (UPI, PW), 1996 (UPI, PW), 1997 (PW)

All-AFC Second Team: 1986 (UPI)

Pro Bowls

(9) - 1987, 1988, 1990*, 1992*, 1994, 1995, 1997*, 1998*, 1999

* Did not play

In the NFL Record Book

At time of his retirement following 1998 season

[1st] Most Times Sacked, Career - 516
[2nd] Most Passes Attempted, Career - 7,250
[2nd] Most Passes Completed, Career - 4,123
[2nd] Most Passing Yards, Career - 51,475
[2nd] Most Seasons 3,000 Yards or More Passing - 12
[3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Career - 300
[3rd] Most Fumbles, Career - 137

Super Bowl Records

[1st] Most Passes Attempted, Career - 152
[1st] Most Passes Intercepted, Career - 8
[Tied for 1st] Most Fumbles Recovered, Career - 2
[2nd] Most Passing Yards, Career - 1,128
[Tied for 2nd] Most Games - 5
[Tied for 2nd] Longest Pass Completion - 80 (to Rod Smith, Super Bowl XXXIII)
[Tied for 2nd] Most Fumbles, Game - 2 (Super Bowl XXIV)
[3rd] Most Passes Completed, Career - 76
[3rd] Most Passing Yards, Game - 336 (Super Bowl XXXIII)
[Tied for 3rd] Most Points, Career - 24
[Tied for 3rd] Most Fumbles, Career - 3

Post-Season Records

[2nd] Most Passes Attempted, Career - 651
[2nd] Most Passing Yards, Career - 4,964
[2nd] Most Fumbles, Career - 14
[2nd] Most Own Fumble Recoveries, Career - 7
[3rd] Most Passes Completed, Career - 355
[Tied for 3rd] Most Gamer 300 or More Yards Passing - 4
[3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Career - 27
[3rd] Most Consecutive Games with Touchdown Pass - 9 (1984-1989)

Team Records

Broncos' records held by Elway at the time of his retirement following the 1998 season

[1st] Most Seasons - 16
[1st] Most Games Played, Career - 234
[1st] Most Games Started, Career - 231
[1st] Most Total Plays, Career - 8,662
[1st] Most Total Plays, Season - 656 (1985)
[1st] Most Total Plays, Game - 64 (at Green Bay, Oct. 10, 1993)
[1st] Most Yards Total Offense, Career - 54,882
[1st] Most Yards Total Offense, Season - 4,183 (1993)
[1st] Most Yards Passing, Career - 51,475
[1st] Most Yards Passing, Season - 4,030 (1993)
[1st] Most Yards Passing as a Rookie, Game - 345 (vs. Baltimore Colts, Dec. 11, 1983)
[1st] Most Passes Attempted, Career - 7,250
[1st] Most Passes Attempted, Season - 605 (1985)
[1st] Most Passes Attempted, Game - 59 (at Green Bay, Oct. 10, 1993)
[1st] Most Passes Attempted as a Rookie, Season - 259 (1983)
[1st] Most Passes Attempted as a Rookie, Game - 44 (vs. Baltimore Colts, Dec. 11, 1983)
[1st] Most Passes Completed, Career - 4,123
[1st] Most Passes Completed, Season - 348 (1993)
[1st] Most Passes Completed, Game - 36 (vs. San Diego, Sept. 4, 1994)
[1st] Most Passes Complete as a Rookie, Season - 123 (1983)
[1st] Most Passes Completed as a Rookie, Game - 23 (vs. Baltimore Colts, Dec. 11, 1983)
[1st] Best Passing Completion Percentage, Season - .632 (1983)
[1st] Most Touchdown Passes, Career - 300
[1st] Most Touchdown Passes, Season - 27 (1997)
[1st] Most Touchdown Passes, Game - 5 (vs. Minnesota, Nov. 18, 1984)
[1st] Most Interceptions, Career - 226
[1st] Highest Passer Rating, Career - 79.9
[1st] Highest Passer Rating, Season - 93.0 (1998)
[1st] Most Consecutive Games with Passing Touchdown - 15 (1995-1996)
[1st] Longest Non-Scoring Pass Completed - 86 (to Vance Johnson, vs. L.A. Raiders, Sept. 26, 1988)
[Tied for 1st] Most Touchdown Passes as a Rookie, Game - 4 (vs. Baltimore Colts, Dec. 11, 1983)
[Tied for 1st] Most Interceptions as a Rookie, Season - 14 (1983)
[2nd] Most Total Plays, Season - 605 (1995)
[2nd] Most Yards Total Offense, Season - 4,146 (1995)
[2nd] Most Yards Passing, Season - 3,970 (1995)
[2nd] Most Yards Passing as Rookie, Season - 1,663 (1983)
[2nd] Most Passes Attempted, Season - 551 (1993)
[2nd] Most Passes Completed, Season - 327 (1985)
[2nd] Best Passing Completion Percentage, Game - .917 (at L.A. Raiders, Nov. 2, 1986)
[2nd] Most Touchdown Passes, Season - 26 (1995, 1996)
[2nd] Best Interception Avoidance, Season - .018 (1993)
[2nd] Best Average Gain Per Completion, Game - 33.00 (at Cleveland, Oct. 1, 1989)
[2nd] Highest Passer Rating, Season - 92.8 (1993)
[2nd] Most Consecutive Games with Passing Touchdown - 13 (1985-1986)
[Tied for 2nd] Most Interceptions as a Rookie, Game - 4 (at Kansas City, Dec. 18, 1983)
[3rd] Most Total Plays, Season - 595 (1993)
[3rd] Most Yards Total Offense - 4,144 (1985)
[3rd] Most Yards Total Offense, Game - 432 (at Seattle, Dec. 20, 1985)
[3rd] Most Yards Passing, Season - 3,891 (1985)
[3rd] Most Yards Passing, Game - 432 (at Seattle, Dec. 20, 1985)
[3rd] Most Passes Attempted, Season - 542 (1995)
[3rd] Most Passes Completed, Season - 316 (1995)
[3rd] Most Passes Completed, Game - 33 (at Green Bay, Oct. 10, 1993)
[3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Season - 25 (1993)
[3rd] Most Touchdown Passes as a Rookie, Season - 7 (1983)
[3rd] Most Interceptions, Season - 23 (1985)
[3rd] Best Interception Avoidance, Career - .031
[3rd] Best Interception Avoidance, Season - .020 (1994)
[3rd] Highest Passer Rating as a Rookie, Season - 54.9 (1983)
[3rd] Most Consecutive Games with Passing Touchdown - 12 (1992-1993)
[3rd] Longest Non-Scoring Pass Completed - 78 (to Rod Smith, vs. Kansas City, Aug. 31, 1997)
[Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game - 4 (several times)

Post-Season Records

[1st] Most Post-Season Games, Career - 22
[1st] Most Post-Season Starts, Career - 21
[1st] Most Total Plays, Career - 752
[1st] Most Total Plays, Game - 52 (at L.A. Raiders, Jan. 9, 1994)
[1st] Most Yards Total Offense, Career - 5,425
[1st] Most Yards Total Offence, Game - 424 (vs. Cleveland, Jan. 14, 1990)
[1st] Best Average Gain Per Play, Game - 10.56 (vs. Atlanta, Super Bowl XXXIII)
[1st] Most Passes Attempted, Career - 651
[1st] Most Passes Attempted, Game - 47 (at L.A. Raiders, Jan. 9, 1994)
[1st] Most Passes Completed, Career - 355
[1st] Most Passes Completed, Game - 29 (at L.A. Raiders, Jan. 9, 1994)
[1st] Most Yards Passing, Career - 4,964
[1st] Most Yards Passing, Game - 385 (vs. Cleveland, Jan. 14, 1990)
[1st] Most Touchdown Passes, Career - 27
[1st] Most Touchdown Passes, Game - 3 (at L.A. Raiders, Jan. 9, 1994; vs. Cleveland, Jan. 14, 1990; vs. Cleveland, Jan. 17, 1988)
[1st] Longest Pass Completion - 80 (to Rod Smith, vs. Atlanta, Super Bowl XXXIII; to Mark Jackson, vs. Cleveland, Jan. 17, 1988)
[1st] Most Interceptions, Career - 21
[2nd] Most Total Plays, Game - 43 (vs. Jacksonville, Jan. 4, 1997; vs. N.Y. Giants, Super Bowl XXVI)
[2nd] Most Yards Total Offense, Game - 338 (vs. Atlanta, Super Bowl XXXIII)
[2nd] Best Average Gain Per Play, Game - 10.34 (vs. Cleveland, Jan. 14, 1990)
[2nd] Most Rushing Yards, Career - 461
[2nd] Most Rushing Touchdowns, Career - 3
[2nd] Most Passes Attempted, Game - 38 (vs. Jacksonville, Jan. 4, 1997; vs. Washington, Super Bowl XXVII; at Cleveland, Jan. 11, 1987)
[2nd] Most Passes Completed, Game - 25 (vs. Jacksonville, Jan. 4, 1997)
[2nd] Most Yards Passing, Game - 336 (vs. Atlanta, Super Bowl XXXII)
[2nd] Most Interceptions Thrown, Game - 3 (vs. Washington, Super Bowl XXVII)
[2nd] Best Average Gain Per Passing Attempt, Career - 7.63
[2nd] Best Average Gain Per Passing Completion, Career - 13.98
[2nd] Highest Passer Rating, Career - 79.7
[2nd] Most Touchdowns Scored, Career - 6
[Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdown Passes, Game - 2 (at Pittsburgh, Jan. 11, 1998; vs. Jacksonville, Jan. 4, 1997; vs. Houston, Jan. 10, 1988; Pittsburgh, Dec. 30, 1984)
[3rd] Most Total Plays, Game - 42 (at Cleveland, Jan. 11, 1987)
[3rd] Most Yards Total Offense, Game - 331 (vs. N.Y. Giants, Super Bowl XXVI)
[3rd] Best Average Gain Per Play, Career - 7.21
[3rd] Most Rushing Attempts, Career - 94
[3rd] Best Average Gain Per Rush, Career - 4.9
[3rd] Most Passes Attempted, Game - 37 (vs. N.Y. Giants, Super Bowl XXVI; vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 30, 1984)
[3rd] Most Passes Completed, Game - 22 (vs. N.Y. Giants, Super Bowl XXVI; at Cleveland, Jan. 11, 1987
[3rd] Best Passing Completion Percentage, Career - .545
[3rd] Best Passing Completion Percentage, Game - .667 (vs. Jacksonville, Jan. 4, 1997; vs. Seattle, 12/24/83)
[3rd] Most Yards Passing, Career - 304 (vs. N.Y. Giants, Super Bowl XXVI)
[3rd] Most Interceptions Thrown, Game - 2 (vs. San Francisco, Super Bowl XXIV; vs. New England, Jan. 4, 1987; vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 30, 1984)
[3rd] Best Interception Avoidance Percentage, Career - .032
[3rd] Longest Pass Completion - 70t (to Michael Young, vs. Cleveland, Jan. 14, 1990)

League/Team Statistical Titles

AFC Statistical Championships
Passing Titles: 1993, 1996
Passing Touchdown Leader: 1993

Team Statistical Championships
Passing Titles: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Passing Touchdown Leader: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

Awards and Honors

1990s All-Decade Team
1987 NFL MVP/Player of the Year (AP)
1987 AFC Offensive MVP/Player of the Year (UPI)
1993 AFC Offensive MVP/Player of the Year (UPI)
Super Bowl XXXIII MVP

Full Name: John Albert Elway

Birthdate: June 28, 1960

Birthplace: Port Angeles, Washington

High School: Granada Hills (Los Angeles, CA)

Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: January, 31, 2004

Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: August 8, 2004

Presenter: Jessica Elway, John's daughter

Other Members of Class of 2004:  Bob Brown, Carl Eller, Barry Sanders

Pro Career: 16 seasons, 234 games

Drafted: 1st round (1st overall) in 1983 by Baltimore Colts