| | DENVER -- John Elway gave Denver one last Mile High memory
before the Miami Dolphins spoiled the moment.
On the field where he won 105 games, Elway was inducted into the
Broncos' Ring of Fame on Monday night and watched as the familiar
No. 7 jersey he wore for 16 seasons was retired.
|  | | Former Denver quarterback John Elway waves to fans at Mile High Stadium after ceremonies where his No. 7 was retired and his name was added to the stadium's Ring of Fame.
|
The Broncos could have used their longtime quarterback as they
trailed 17-7 at halftime and lost 38-21.
Accompanied by his wife, Janet, and their four children, Elway
turned his 15-minute halftime tribute into an emotional dedication
to the fans who watched him grow from an immature quarterback to a
certain Hall of Fame member.
"I'm so happy that the Baltimore Colts traded me here, you
can't believe it," Elway said, his voice wavering. "I'm going to
miss you, but I'm not going to be far away because I'm going to be
a Denver Bronco forever."
Unlike his retirement speech in April, Elway remained fairly
composed as he addressed the crowd of 76,000 at Mile High Stadium.
He walked onto the field to Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" and gave
flashed a thumbs up to about 100 men dressed in white No. 7
jerseys.
"Sometimes there is a player that becomes so important to us
and so much our hero that his number and name become synonymous,"
Denver owner Pat Bowlen said. "There will never be another No. 7
on the Broncos."
Tears formed in Elway's eyes as his name was unveiled on the
facade of the stadium's northwest corner.
"I'd really like to say what an honor it is to see my name up
there," Elway said. "To have my name associated with the Ring of
Fame is truly a great honor."
Elway, who retired after winning his second straight Super Bowl
title, is the 16th member of Denver's Ring of Fame and the first
inductee since Louis Wright was inducted in 1993.
The Broncos waived the mandatory five-year waiting period for
Elway's induction. He is sure to be inducted into the Pro Football
Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2004.
Only Dan Marino, who was in the Miami locker room during the
halftime ceremony, has more passing yards than Elway, who finished
with 51,475.
Elway also had 300 career touchdown passes and an NFL-leading
148 victories as a starter. Marino is second with 142.
The statistic Elway will be remembered best for is his 47
game-tying or game-winning drives.
"I'm going to clue the world in on this Mile High magic,"
Elway told the fans. "They can talk about the altitude. They can
talk about the field. They can talk about everything, but the key
thing to Mile High magic is you."
Before the game, Elway watched from a luxury box as Broncos
alumni members were introduced. He looked calm, sipping
occasionally from a Coors bottle and talking to his 8-year-old
daughter Juliana.
| |
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 John Elway honored at halftime.
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