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How Much Money Did John Elway Make Playing Football?

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John Elway earned approximately $47 million from his professional football contracts over 16 seasons with the Denver Broncos.

That figure covers his playing salary from 1983 to 1998. It doesn't even count the huge income he pulled in from endorsements or his later roles in management and ownership, which were pretty substantial too.

How much is the John Elway rookie card worth?

A 1984 Topps #123 John Elway rookie card can be worth around $26,000 for top-graded versions (BGS 10 or PSA 10) as of 2026.

Honestly, the card's condition makes a massive difference here; lower grades will fetch significantly less, obviously. Collectors really go after key cards like the 1984 Topps #123. Their market price, like most collectibles, tends to bounce around quite a bit depending on current demand, according to Sports Card Investor.

Who drafted Elway first?

John Elway was first drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft, and then by the Baltimore Colts in the 1983 NFL Draft.

He actually chose to play college football instead of pro baseball. And, as many know, he famously refused to play for the Colts, which led to his trade to the Denver Broncos. What a move that turned out to be!

How much of the Broncos does Elway own?

John Elway doesn't currently own a significant stake in the Denver Broncos, though he once famously turned down the opportunity to own 20% of the team.

While he's had various management roles with the team over the years, including general manager and president of football operations, he isn't a major owner today. It's a pretty wild story, honestly, that he passed on such a big ownership piece early in his career.

What is Joe Namath’s net worth?

Joe Namath, the legendary retired American football quarterback, has an estimated net worth of $25 million.

This figure reflects his earnings from his playing career, endorsements, and various ventures since retiring from the NFL. He's certainly made a name for himself both on and off the field.

What did Baltimore get for John Elway?

On May 2, 1983, the Baltimore Colts traded their #1 overall draft pick, John Elway, to the Denver Broncos for a package that included a future first-round pick, offensive tackle Chris Hinton, and quarterback Mark Hermann.

That's quite a haul, wouldn't you say? It was a pretty big deal at the time, given Elway's refusal to play for Baltimore.

How Far Can John Elway throw a football?

John Elway was known for his incredibly strong arm and could consistently throw a football around 70 yards.

That's a pretty impressive distance, even for an NFL quarterback! His ability to launch the ball downfield was definitely one of his signature skills.

Was Elway left handed?

No, John Elway was not left-handed; he was a right-handed quarterback.

He actually played as a right-handed outfielder in the New York Yankees minor league system before starting his Hall of Fame NFL career. Elway himself once commented on how "coveted" lefties who can "throw heat" are, noting that only a small percentage of quarterbacks can really pitch in the major leagues. He was definitely a righty, though!

Has a lefty quarterback ever won a Superbowl?

Yes, several left-handed quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl.

Ken Stabler, playing for the Oakland Raiders, won Super Bowl XI against the Minnesota Vikings. Steve Young, a San Francisco 49ers legend, actually won three Super Bowls: XXIII, XXIV, and XXIX, beating the Bengals, Broncos, and Chargers, respectively. So, it's definitely happened!

Is Joe Montana a lefty?

No, Joe Montana was not a left-handed quarterback; he threw with his right hand.

Jerry Rice, his famous receiver, even talked about the difference in catching passes from Montana, a righty, compared to Steve Young, who was a noted lefty. It's an interesting distinction for receivers, apparently!

Who was the last left-handed quarterback in the NFL?

Kellen Moore was the last left-handed quarterback to play in the NFL.

He played for the Dallas Cowboys and is now a well-known offensive coordinator in the league. It's pretty rare to see lefties under center these days!

Which quarterback has never won a Superbowl?

Dan Marino is one of the most famous quarterbacks who never won a Super Bowl, despite an incredibly successful career.

He retired after the 1999 season holding numerous records. Marino completed more passes than any other quarterback in a career at that time, with 4,967 completions, and he led the league in completions six times. He also ranked second in yards gained (61,361) and third in touchdown passes (420) when he hung up his cleats. Truly a phenomenal player, just missing that one big win.

Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
Kim Nguyen
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Kim is a sports and fitness writer covering workouts, athletic training, sports news, and strategies for an active lifestyle.

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