Stanford football fans remember him for his remarkable exploits at the Farm, where John Elway threw a school-record 77 touchdowns, including six in one game in 1980. His achievements for the Cardinal began the legend that would follow him through his professional career, culminating on August 8 with his induction into the National Football League’s Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Statistically and on the field, Elway, ’83, was one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of football. He led the Denver Broncos, for whom he played his entire pro career, to five Super Bowls, winning two. He ranks second all-time in both passing yards (51,475) and completions (4,123). But he’s best remembered for his late-game heroics—especially the 98-yard touchdown drive he engineered in the final minutes of the 1986 AFC title game against the Cleveland Browns, cemented in NFL lore simply as “The Drive.”
Introduced at the ceremony by his daughter Jessica, ’08, Elway paid tribute to his late father—and former Stanford football coach—Jack Elway. “Dad wasn’t just my best friend, he was my hero,” he said.
