Rock On Magazine - Interview With John Elway

Rock On: Hi John, thanks for agreeing to speak with Rock On Magazine. You were already a successful businessman by the time you helped start the Colorado Crush, but did that experience help you as you transitioned to NFL executive?

Elway: Absolutely. I purposefully chose to run the Crush in preparation to run the Broncos' one day if the opportunity presented itself. I didn’t know for certain that I would have that opportunity, but I wanted to be prepared if it did. I looked at it as my MBA on the business side of football.

Rock On: Recently, you stepped back from your role as Bronco's GM?

Elway: I think the timing was good. Like many business organizations, there comes a time when people need to hear a new voice, or get a fresh perspective. I didn’t go into my role with the Broncos’ thinking I was going to be the GM, but after a while, I thought I had a lot to add to that position, and could offer great perspective. Similarly, I realized that the timing may be good for some new ideas, so I went back to my role as President of Football Operations.

Rock On: What does the President of Football Operations do?

Elway: There are two sides to an NFL team; the football side, and the business side.

The business side oversees the stadium, licensing, and sponsorship. I oversee all football-related decisions, which are GM, the scouting department, and coaches. 

Rock On: During the 1983 draft, you expressed a strong desire to play almost anywhere else, other than for the Colts. At that time, you had the opportunity to play for the Yankees in Major League Baseball, and told the Colts you would play baseball before going there. Would you have chosen baseball?

Elway: It’s been well documented that it wasn’t the Colts, specifically that I had an issue with; it was just the Coach (Frank Kush) at the time, wasn’t a particularly good fit for me. The way the NFL worked back then, was once you got drafted by a team, it was very difficult to get out of the situation. There was no free agency. I loved football and it was my first choice, but yes, I would have stuck to my guns and played for the Yankees. I’m glad it worked out the way it did though.

Rock On: I think millions of fans would agree. Would you tell us about your relationship with (Bronco's deceased Owner) Pat Bowlen, and what he meant to you, both on and off the field?

Elway: I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world to have joined the Broncos when I did. Mr. Bowlen bought the team in my second year at the Broncos (as their quarterback), and we had an amazing ride together. He was as competitive as I was, and wanted to win as badly. He took the necessary steps to put the Broncos in a position to have the success that we did. He was a great ambassador for the NFL and an even better man. I have the highest regard

for Mr. Bowlen.