The 1983 Trade of John Elway

The 1983 NFL Draft is renowned for its exceptional quarterback class, featuring Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino. However, one of the most significant events surrounding that draft was the trade that sent John Elway, the number one overall pick, to the Denver Broncos. This move not only altered the course of Elway's career but also had a profound and lasting impact on the Denver Broncos franchise.

The story begins on April 26, 1983, when the Baltimore Colts, under the ownership of Robert Irsay, selected Elway from Stanford University with the first overall pick. Elway, a highly touted quarterback with a strong arm and exceptional athleticism, was widely considered the top prospect in the draft. However, Elway had made it clear that he was reluctant to play for the Colts. His reasons were varied, reportedly including concerns about the team's management, coaching, and overall stability. He even threatened to forgo a career in the NFL in favor of playing baseball, as he had also been drafted by the New York Yankees.

Elway's stance created a tense standoff with the Colts. The team had reportedly turned down multiple trade offers prior to the draft, still choosing Elway first overall. The situation escalated in the days following the draft, with Elway's agent, Marvin Demoff, working to facilitate a trade. Finally, on May 2, 1983, just a week after the draft, the Colts relented. They traded Elway to the Denver Broncos in a deal that would reshape both franchises for years to come.

The trade saw the Broncos send a significant package to the Colts. The centerpiece of the deal was offensive lineman Chris Hinton, who had been the Broncos' first-round pick (fourth overall) in the same draft. Hinton went on to have a very productive NFL career, becoming a seven-time Pro Bowler. In addition to Hinton, the Broncos also sent quarterback Mark Hermann, who had been with the team for three years, and their first-round pick in the 1984 NFL Draft (which later became guard Ron Solt).

For the Broncos, the acquisition of Elway was a transformative moment. Elway's talent was undeniable, and the Broncos saw him as the quarterback who could lead them to sustained success. The trade was a bold move, but it paid off handsomely. Elway quickly became the face of the franchise, and his arrival ushered in an era of unprecedented success in Denver.

Elway's career with the Broncos was legendary. He played 16 seasons for the team, leading them to five Super Bowl appearances and winning two consecutive championships in his final two seasons (Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII). Elway was known for his strong arm, his mobility, his clutch performances, and his remarkable ability to lead game-winning drives, earning him the nickname "Mr. Clutch." He was selected to nine Pro Bowls, was named the NFL MVP in 1987, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Elway's impact on the Broncos organization was immense, and he later served as general manager and president of football operations for the team.

The trade, while ultimately a great success for Denver, had a different outcome for the Colts. While Chris Hinton was a very good player, the Colts struggled for many years after the trade, going through a period of instability and losing seasons. The franchise eventually moved to Indianapolis in 1984. The Colts' struggles in the years following the trade highlighted the importance of the quarterback position in the NFL and the potential consequences of failing to secure a franchise quarterback.

In retrospect, the 1983 trade of John Elway is seen as one of the most significant trades in NFL history. It was a trade that involved a clash of wills, a high-stakes gamble, and ultimately, a franchise-altering outcome. The Denver Broncos cemented their status as a perennial contender, while the Colts faced a long and difficult rebuild. The legacy of John Elway in Denver is a testament to the impact of this trade.

Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com

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