John Elway

Graduating with a degree in economics in 1983, Elway entered the NFL draft with several other celebrated college quarterbacks, including Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. The Baltimore Colts had first pick and selected Elway. However, Elway made it clear that he did not want to play for the Colts, a team characterized by their dictatorial coach, Frank Kush. He also wanted to play closer to home and even considered opting for a professional baseball contract rather than play football in Baltimore. Accordingly, the Colts worked a deal to trade Elway to the Denver Broncos, whose generous contract made the rookie the second highest paid quarterback in the NFL.

Elway's entrance into the NFL proved to be a rocky road. A superstar at Stanford, he was expected by fans to be an instant success in Denver. It was the first time Elway had ever heard booing directed at him. In his regular season debut he completed just one of eight pass attempts for fourteen yards, threw one interception, and was sacked four times before injuring his elbow and being replaced by veteran quarterback Dan DeBerg. After the first five games Elway was benched, but started the last five games of the season after DeBerg was injured. Working much of the year with a sore elbow and a porous offensive line that offered little protection, Elway ended his first season with a completion rate of just 47.5 percent with seven touchdown passes and fourteen interceptions.

Following his rookie year, Elway married his college sweetheart, Janet. They have four children, three daughters and a son. With his feet more firmly under him during his sophomore season, Elway began to improve his performance. In fifteen games Elway led the team to twelve wins. He completed 214 of 380 passes for 2,598 yards, was third on the team in rushing with 237 yards, and improved his completion rate to 56.3 percent. With an overall team record of 13-3, the Broncos were the American Football Conference (AFC) Western Division champions. Elway and his team strolled into the postseason, but lost in the first round to the Pittsburgh Steelers.