John Elway Quotes

Powerful John Elway for Daily Growth

About John Elway

John Elway, born on July 3, 1960, in Enumclaw, Washington, is an American retired professional football player, sports executive, and businessman, best known for his stellar career as the quarterback for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). Although not related to Terrell Elway, a former NBA player, John's name has often been associated with the sporting legacy of the Elway family. Elway attended Glencoe High School in Portland, Oregon, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He later attended Stanford University, but his passion for football led him to forgo his final two years of eligibility to enter the 1983 NFL draft. The Denver Broncos selected Elway first overall in the draft, kick-starting a career that would span 16 seasons. Elway led the Broncos to six AFC championship games and won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998, earning MVP honors in both games. His determination, leadership, and legendary "The Drive" and "The Fumble" performances have cemented his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. After retiring from football in 1999, Elway joined the Broncos front office, serving as their executive vice president of football operations and general manager from 2011 to 2018. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. In addition to his football career, Elway has been involved in various business ventures and charitable endeavors, including owning multiple car dealerships and launching the John Elway Sports Academy, a youth sports complex in Colorado Springs. He continues to be an influential figure in both sport and business.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The difference between winning and losing is usually made at the very beginning."

This quote by John Elway emphasizes the significance of strong foundations or initial steps in achieving success, also known as "getting off on the right foot." The early stages often set the trajectory for outcomes. Winning and losing can hinge upon the quality and diligence with which we approach our endeavors from their outset. A solid foundation laid at the beginning increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome, while a shaky or neglected start may lead to eventual failure.


"You can't control what happens in life, but you can control your attitude towards it."

This quote by John Elway emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive and resilient mindset in the face of life's unpredictable events. While we cannot control external circumstances, we have the power to choose how we respond to them, and that response often determines our level of happiness, success, and overall well-being. Adopting a constructive attitude allows us to navigate through challenging times with grace and tenacity, ultimately fostering personal growth and resilience.


"Success isn't always about greatness; it’s more often about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success."

This quote emphasizes that success is not solely attributed to exceptional talent or greatness, but rather the consistent application of effort. In other words, it suggests that regular, persistent work is a more reliable pathway to achieving success compared to sporadic bursts of extraordinary ability. The message encourages individuals to stay focused, disciplined, and committed to their goals, even when progress seems slow or unremarkable, as it is this consistent hard work that will ultimately lead to successful outcomes over time.


"I think the key is finding the balance between being competitive and having fun."

This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between professional competitiveness and enjoyment in one's work or personal endeavors, as expressed by John Elway. In other words, success and winning are important, but they should not overshadow the pleasure derived from engaging in an activity, which can lead to a more fulfilling and sustainable experience overall.


"I don't believe in moral victories, but I do believe that every experience, whether good or bad, helps you become a better person."

The quote emphasizes that while winning (good experiences) is important, it is the lessons learned from both successes and failures (bad experiences) that contribute to personal growth and development. The concept of moral victories suggests that there can be value in an effort or action that doesn't result in a tangible win, but the individual recognizes its worth. John Elway's message encourages the understanding that every experience, whether deemed good or bad, plays a significant role in shaping a person into a better version of themselves.


I've experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows. I think to really appreciate anything you have to be at both ends of the spectrum.

- John Elway

Think, I Think, Lowest, Spectrum

You learn a lot more from the lows because it makes you pay attention to what you're doing.

- John Elway

Doing, Pay Attention, Lot, Lows

I don't know if I like being the sentimental favorite.

- John Elway

Know, Like, Being, Sentimental

I've always joked about Joe Montana not appreciating his Super Bowls nearly as much as I do because he never lost one. We lost three before we got one.

- John Elway

Always, Before, Joe, Montana

I was a baseball player and a football player at Stanford, so I didn't play a lot of golf in college. I really started playing a lot after I turned pro and I had some time in the off-season.

- John Elway

College, Play, Some, Stanford

Being thrown into the fire and getting the thing turned around in a hurry made it more difficult. Things have been done the hard way. I think you learn better when things are done the hard way.

- John Elway

Been, I Think, Turned, Hard Way

I'm watching the Weather Channel more than I've ever watched it. I'm scared to death it's going to rain.

- John Elway

Rain, Death, Going, Scared

It's all about putting the best team together - not just in the front office but the players on the field.

- John Elway

Field, Players, Putting, Together

I can't compare quarterbacks as apples and oranges in my mind because everybody's in a different system.

- John Elway

Mind, Everybody, Compare, Oranges

When I retired, I really wanted to spend time with my family and kids. Coaching would have prevented that due to the commitment of the job and travel that goes with it, too.

- John Elway

Commitment, Goes, Really, Coaching

Even when I retired, there was part of me that didn't want to retire. But once you decide it's time to move on then you have to stick with it.

- John Elway

Want, Move, Part, Retire

As football players you have all the experience on the field. You don't have the experience off the field.

- John Elway

Football, Field, Players, Football Players

I think I'm lucky in life and not just in football. I was very fortunate to play for a great organization and a great team that was really good near the end of my career.

- John Elway

Play, Think, Lucky, Near

A guy as great as Brett Favre has been for the length of time he's been, you would hope that he would be able to leave the game with a positive flavor in his mouth.

- John Elway

Game, Been, Length, Flavor

I would hope this experience would help me if that NFL opportunity were to arise. But I also know that it's a totally different league. There's a lot more to it.

- John Elway

More, Arise, League, NFL

I'm getting the basics with the AFL, but the NFL is a different animal.

- John Elway

Animal, Basics, Getting, NFL

How ironic, to be my last game that I ever played would be against Dan in a Super Bowl. The thing I always was afraid of was playing in a Super Bowl when it was raining. I can't throw a wet ball.

- John Elway

Game, Always, Last, Dan

To be able to get a football team that's capable of competing for world championships, you always got to get a little bit lucky, but you got to have all phases to win it all.

- John Elway

Lucky, Always, Competing, Phases

I was so lucky to walk away with two Super Bowls and know that the last year was positive.

- John Elway

Lucky, Away, Last, Bowls

I would have loved to have played for Joe Gibbs. Look at his record of winning three Super Bowls.

- John Elway

Winning, Played, Joe, Bowls

You always want to have good balance. That's the key to winning a Super Bowl. You look at the teams who have won championships, you got to have balance. So, to be able to run the ball effectively and throw the ball effectively is what gives you the chance to win a world championship.

- John Elway

Run, World Championship, Championship

The Arena League is the best thing that could have happened to me because I get to run the whole process. I'm seeing not only the football side but the business side.

- John Elway

Business, Process, Side, Arena

I'm happy with the Arena Football League right now. I'm happy in Denver.

- John Elway

Happy, Denver, League, Arena

It's really been a better situation for me being with the Crush than it would if I were with the Broncos because this has given me a lot more broad range.

- John Elway

More, Been, Given, Broad

There are a lot of people who might not get another chance to win a Super Bowl, not just me.

- John Elway

Chance, Might, Another, Super Bowl

We get done with the game, and it's an absolute downpour 30 minutes later. That's when I thought God was telling me that's enough-time for you to go do something else.

- John Elway

Game, Telling, 30 Minutes, Absolute

The patience that goes with the game, the little things that go along with the game, you have so much more time to think in golf than you do in football - you have to keep your thoughts positive. I'm not sure I've got that mastered.

- John Elway

Game, Got, Your, Golf

I look at my career and it's still hard for me to believe the way things turned out and how things happened. I've been so blessed.

- John Elway

Career, Been, Still, Blessed

There have been openings, but I have not interviewed for any jobs, nor do I want to right now.

- John Elway

Want, Been, Nor, Jobs

I had a great time doing Vegas. It's just that it takes a lot of time.

- John Elway

Doing, Vegas, Lot, Great Time

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