Breaking Down A Bronco: A Look Back At The Career Of John Elway

The Journey Begins

John Albert Elway Jr. was born in Port Angeles, Washington June 28, 1960. John began playing organized football in Pop Warner leagues and elementary school. Elway’s father recognized his son’s athletic abilities and duly noted that his glaring strength was his accurate and strong arm.

Thinking of his son’s future, Elway’s father moved his family to the Los Angeles area so that his son can play in Granada Hills High School’s pass-oriented offense. Obviously, Mr. Elway knew what he was doing as this move paid quick dividends when John completed 60% of his passes for 5,711 yards and 49 touchdowns over his four years at Granada Hills. In his senior year Elway threw for 3,711 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was known as a dual-threat quarterback – he can light you up with his arm, and would burn you with his feet if given the opportunity. John was the number one recruited high school player in the country and received over 60 scholarship offers. Playing football was not the only talent Elway had; he also was a highly touted baseball prospect.

In 1979, the Kansas City Royals drafted him out of high school. Hall of Famer George Brett was quoted by saying “I wish this kid plays football”; Brett and Elway would have competed for the third base spot. Much to George Brett’s satisfaction Elway decided to go to college and attend Stanford University.

College

Entering Stanford’s already high-octane passing offense, Elway fit right in and excelled immediately. He set school records for passing attempts and completions -- 774 of 1,243 giving him a 62.1 completion percentage for his four-year tenure at Stanford. He also threw for a total of 9,349 yards and 77 touchdowns. Elway set an NCAA record for the lowest percentage of passes intercepted in a career, with a stunningly low 3.13 percent. Elway ended his college football career in one of the most dramatic games of all time. In 1982, the heated rivalry of Stanford vs Cal went down in history as one of the most bizarre endings to a game ever. After kicking a field goal to take the lead with only seconds remaining, Stanford kicked off, and after a series of laterals and with the help of the Stanford band charging the field, Cal pulled off a miracle win. Elway led his Cardinal to a 20-23 record during his reign, but he never was able to take them to a bowl game. Despite that, Elway had a very accomplished college career, graduating with nearly all Pac 10 and Stanford career records for passing and total offense. In his final season he led the nation in touchdown passes with 24 -- the same year he finished second in Heisman voting.  While, breaking and setting all of these records, and winning Pac 10 player of the year honors twice (1980 & 1983), Elway still found the time to continue his baseball career. He finished his senior year at Stanford with a .361 AVG, 9 HR’s, and 50 RBI in 49 games. Not only that, but he boasted a 5-4 record with a 4.51 ERA. In the 1981 summer draft, the New York Yankees made John Elway their first selection. The following year he hit for a .341 AVG and a club-high 24 home runs for the Yankees single-A club.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?