WASHINGTON, D.C. — Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, announced in December that Denver Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway has been selected for membership in the prestigious organization. Elway joins 10 other esteemed business and civic leaders from across North America in receiving this honor in 2017. For the last 70 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon admirable leaders who have succeeded despite facing adversity, and who are committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their local communities.
The son of a high school biology teacher and a football coach, John Elway was born in Port Angeles, Wash. Due to his father’s coaching job, Elway’s family moved frequently, spending time in Washington, Montana and California. He worked as a paperboy in middle school to make extra money to help support his parents and his siblings. A remarkable athlete, Elway excelled on the football field, receiving a scholarship to attend and play at Stanford University.
He was selected by the Baltimore Colts with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, but joined the Denver Broncos via trade. Named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1987, he led the Broncos to a league-best three Super Bowls in the 1980s before helping the team capture back-to-back World Championships following the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Elway retired in 1999 after receiving MVP honors in his final game in Super Bowl XXXIII. He finished his playing career as the NFL’s all-time winningest starting quarterback and was voted to a franchise-record nine Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1999 and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
After experiencing great success throughout his life, in the years following his retirement, Elway lost his father, his mother, his sister and his closest friend. Despite these tragedies, he has remained determined to maintain a positive outlook on life. Today, Elway serves as executive vice president of football operations/general manager of the Denver Broncos. His 71 wins during his first 100 games as an executive from 2011-2016 are the most in NFL history by a general manager.
John Elway to receive 2017 Horatio Alger Award
#7 - JOHN - #44 - FLOYD - #80 - ROD
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