John Elway, NFL's Winningest Quarterback 4/28/99

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NFL-19 4/28/99

JOHN ELWAY, NFL’S WINNINGEST QUARTERBACK

JOHN ELWAY played 16 seasons for the Denver Broncos and is the NFL’s all-time winningest quarterback.

Elway has 148 victories as a starter and is trailed in NFL history by DAN MARINO of the Miami Dolphins (142 wins) and Pro Football Hall of Famer FRAN TARKENTON (125).

"With his arm strength and mobility, he was a rare combination of talents," says New York Jets head coach BILL PARCELLS. "I don’t know if I’ve seen a quarterback who had the ability to run and the ability to throw in one package like John Elway. He is certainly a player that will be missed in the NFL. He was a great asset to our league."

Known for his late-game comebacks, perhaps Elway’s most memorable drive came in the 1986 AFC Championship Game. With possession at his own two-yard line and Denver trailing the Cleveland Browns 20-13, Elway engineered a 15-play, 98-yard drive culminating in the game-tying scoring pass with 37 seconds remaining. The Broncos won the game 23-20 in overtime, leading to Elway’s first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

"He may, in fact, ultimately be the greatest to have ever played this game at that position," says MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER, who coached the Browns in that championship game. "The guy is the greatest competitor I have ever witnessed in sport."

Following are John Elway NFL career records and notes:

MOST PASSING YARDS, CAREER		MOST TD PASSES, CAREER
Dan Marino	58,913	Dan Marino	408
John Elway	51,475	Fran Tarkenton	342
Warren Moon	49,097	John Elway	300
Fran Tarkenton	47,003	Warren Moon	290
Dan Fouts	43,040	John Unitas	290

MOST COMPLETIONS, CAREER		MOST ATTEMPTS, CAREER
Dan Marino	4,763	Dan Marino	7,989
John Elway	4,123	John Elway	7,250
Warren Moon	3,972	Warren Moon	6,786
Fran Tarkenton	3,686	Fran Tarkenton	6,467
Joe Montana	3,409	Dan Fouts	5,604

MOST 3,000-YARD SEASONS, CAREER		MOST WINS, QB, CAREER
Dan Marino	13	John Elway	148
John Elway	12	Dan Marino	142
Warren Moon	9	Fran Tarkenton	125
Jim Kelly	8	John Unitas	119
Joe Montana	8	Joe Montana	117

DID YOU KNOW? JOHN ELWAY…

Is the only player in NFL history to win Super Bowl MVP honors in his last career game.

Started more Super Bowls (five) than any other quarterback.

Attempted more passes (152) than any player in Super Bowl history.

Had four career Super Bowl touchdown runs -- the most ever by a quarterback, tying for second-most among all players.

Ranks fourth all-time among quarterbacks with 3,407 rushing yards (RANDALL CUNNINGHAM--4,741; STEVE YOUNG--4,182; FRAN TARKENTON--3,674).

Passed for a combined 66,535 yards – the equivalent of 37.8 miles – and 426 touchdowns in high school, college and the NFL.

Was selected to nine AFC-NFC Pro Bowls – tied with Marino and WARREN MOON for the most ever by a quarterback (since 1970).

Started games with 33 running backs and 22 receivers in his career.

Played in five cities outside the United States – Barcelona, Berlin, London, Mexico City and Tokyo (twice) – in the NFL’s American Bowl series.

Played in 32 stadiums in 19 states and in the District of Columbia (includes postseason). His most road games at a stadium were in San Diego’s Qualcomm (18) and in a state in California (38).