John Elway turns 64: 5 quick details about Broncos’ Corridor of Fame quarterback

The 1983 NFL Draft produced arguably the best quarterback class in league historical past. The headliners from that group embody Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and John Elway. All three quarterbacks led their groups to Tremendous Bowls, have been a number of Professional Bowlers and eventual Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers. Marino retired because the NFL’s all-time main passer. Kelly is the one quarterback in NFL historical past to guide his group to 4 consecutive Tremendous Bowls. Elway helped lead the Broncos to 5 Tremendous Bowls and two world titles. 

Additionally a profitable baseball participant, Elway’s athleticism paid off on the gridiron. His elusiveness complemented his rocket proper arm that helped the Broncos win 162 video games with No. 7 below middle. In celebration of his sixty fourth birthday (he was born June 28, 1960), listed here are 5 quick details concerning the Broncos’ Corridor of Fame quarterback. 

A New York Yankee

Together with excelling in soccer, Elway confirmed sufficient promise on the diamond that he was chosen by the Yankees within the second spherical of the 1981 MLB draft, six spots forward of Tony Gwynn, one of many biggest hitters of all time. 

In 1982, Elway performed 42 video games for the Oneonta Yankees, the place he hit .318 with 4 residence runs and as many RBI (25) as strikeouts. Elway used his baseball expertise as leverage main as much as the 1983 NFL Draft.

Draft controversy 

Elway’s reluctance to play for the Colts (who owned the No. 1 general decide within the 1983 draft) has been extremely publicized. Elway mentioned that he would play baseball on a full-time foundation if the Colts drafted him. 

In pre-draft conferences with the Colts, Elway mentioned that he wished to play for both a West Coast group or the Dallas Cowboys or Miami Dolphins. However the Cowboys (who have been coming off of three consecutive NFC Championship appearances) have been set at quarterback, as 31-year-old Danny White was coming off of a Professional Bowl season. 

The Dolphins — after reaching Tremendous Bowl XVII with David Woodley below middle — would choose Marino with the twenty seventh general decide. The Colts took Elway No. 1, however finally traded him to Denver in change for 2 gamers and the Broncos’ 1984 first-round decide. 

First to 5 

Elway is the primary quarterback to begin in 5 Tremendous Bowls. Denver appeared in three Tremendous Bowls over a four-year span from 1986-89. Whereas Denver got here up quick in every Tremendous Bowl, Elway turned a bona fide star throughout this era. 

Down by a landing late within the 1986 AFC Championship Sport, Elway mounted “The Drive” that led to an additional time win over the Browns. Elway gained league MVP the next season whereas main the Broncos again to the Tremendous Bowl. 

It appeared Elway would go down as top-of-the-line quarterbacks that would not win a Tremendous Bowl after the 1996 Broncos suffered a surprising loss to the Jaguars within the divisional spherical of the playoffs. However regardless of a late-season slide, the ’97 Broncos rebounded within the playoffs to defeat the Jaguars, Chiefs and Steelers to earn a visit again to the Huge Sport. 

Heavy underdogs in Tremendous Bowl XXXII, the Broncos turned the primary AFC group in 13 years to win the Tremendous Bowl. Terrell Davis gained MVP honors after speeding for 157 yards and three touchdowns in opposition to the defending champion Packers. Elway’s helicopter run late within the third quarter has gone down as one of the vital iconic performs in Tremendous Bowl historical past. 

After mulling over retirement that offseason, Elway returned for the 1998 season. Whereas accidents sidelined him for 4 video games, Elway was chosen to his third consecutive Professional Bowl as Denver gained an NFL-best 14 video games. In Tremendous Bowl XXXIII, with the Falcons‘ protection centered on stopping Davis, Elway threw for 336 yards whereas throwing and speeding for scores in Denver’s 34-19 win. Elway gained MVP honors in what was his last NFL recreation. 

Comeback king 

Elway’s 31 fourth-quarter comebacks put him in a tie with Marino for second all time (and three comebacks behind Johnny Unitas) on the time of his retirement. His 40 game-winning drives have been second all time behind Marino when he retired. 

Elway is presently ninth all time in each classes. Elway had six game-winning drives and 4 fourth-quarter comebacks within the playoffs. His last postseason game-winning drive led to the Broncos’ game-winning landing in Tremendous Bowl XXXII. On the third play of the drive, his 32-yard completion to fullback Howard Griffith arrange Davis’ game-winning rating. 

Among the many all-time nice QBs 

Elway’s profession stacks up nicely with NFL’s different all-time nice quarterbacks. In accordance with Professional Soccer Reference’s Corridor of Fame Monitor, Elway compiled the eighth biggest profession by a quarterback in NFL historical past. A member of the NFL 100 All-Time Group, Elway’s 138.66 factors places him behind Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Unitas, Joe Montana, and Drew Brees and simply forward of Marino, Fran Tarkenton and Steve Younger.