Celebrating John Elway Through Memorabilia...

Hello, football friends, and welcome back to the Pig Pen! Today, we're joined by author Jared Kraus, who has just released a fascinating new book, "Tackling John Elway: The Definitive Collector's Guide." More than just a biography, this book offers an unparalleled visual journey through the career of one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks, John Elway, primarily through the lens of sports memorabilia.

Jared, a lifelong Denver Broncos fan who grew up in Wyoming, shared his deep connection to Elway. He was in sixth grade in 1983 when the Broncos drafted Elway, and the excitement was palpable, even across state lines. "All of a sudden there's a star," Krause recalls, describing how local papers covered every detail, from Elway's haircut to his lunch choices. This immediate fascination deepened when Kraus's family moved to Colorado, cementing his fandom.

For Broncos fans like Jared, Elway's career was a rollercoaster of anticipation and eventual triumph. After years of heartbreaking Super Bowl losses, the back-to-back championships in Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII, culminating in Elway's MVP performance in the latter, were transformative. "We felt like, you know, if we could just win the big one... it would change everything about our lives," Kraus expressed, highlighting the collective sigh of relief and pride that swept the region.

Kraus's book isn't just a fan's tribute; it's a meticulously compiled guide. It features over 2,500 images of every known John Elway card produced during his playing career, alongside Sports Illustrated covers, cereal boxes, posters, and even ticket stubs from significant games—from high school all-star contests to his final Super Bowl. The comprehensive nature of the book is remarkable, covering every facet of Elway's collectibles from his playing days until his retirement.

What makes this project truly special is the collaborative effort behind it. While Kraus's personal collection formed a significant part, "a little help from my friends" was essential. Other collectors generously loaned their rare items for scanning, enabling Kraus to capture even the most elusive pieces, like a specific dairy pack card from a school lunch chocolate milk carton—a true one-of-a-kind item, almost impossible to find despite its low monetary value.

One of Krause's favorite sections of the book features "cameo appearances" of Elway on other players' cards. He notes finding 45 such instances, where Elway is being tackled by or is on the ground near legendary defenders like Derrick Thomas, Greg Townsend, or Neil Smith. These unlisted "Elway cards" required extensive searching through thousands of cards, making their discovery a true treasure hunt. The book even includes a humorous nod to Brian Bosworth, who, despite never officially sacking Elway, had a memorable on-field rivalry.

The journey to create this book took over two decades, with the final piece, a ticket stub from Elway's worst collegiate game (a 1981 loss where he faced his father's San Jose State team), proving the hardest to acquire. Now, "Tackling John Elway" is available on Amazon, offering fans and collectors an unprecedented look into the memorabilia surrounding a football icon.

What's your most treasured piece of sports memorabilia, whether it's from John Elway's career or another legendary athlete?

Demaryius was the first receiver taken in the 2010 NFL Draft. Thomas developed into an athletic mismatch and a yards-after-catch demon, especially after Peyton Manning joined the Broncos in 2012. Thomas emerged as the Broncos' No. 1 receiver and would earn five straight Pro Bowl selections as the team's number one receiver.

For his career, Thomas had 724 receptions for 9,763 yards and 63 TDs. Thomas ranks 53rd all-time in receiving yards in NFL history at the time of his retirement.