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Taking it easy Elway happy with decision to retire after 16 seasons
Posted: Monday January 31, 2000 12:22 PM
We've been visiting with a number of NFL players this week to get their take on the Super Bowl. CNNSI.com's Paul Crane sat down with a player who knows what it's like to win the big game, former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. Paul Crane: After winning back to back Super Bowls, John Elway decided to retire. And John, now that it's Super Bowl time again, any juices flowing? John Elway: Not really. Maybe a little bit. I think when the game kicks off and I'm watching the game, I'm sure there will be some juices and I'll miss the game a little bit. But it was time for me to move on after 16 years in the league. I had a lot of exciting things going on this year, so it was time. I'm happy with the decision. Crane: What do you think of when you look and you see how fragile the Broncos and other teams are. Not only do you retire, but Terrell Davis gets hurt, Broncos struggle. The Falcons have an injury [Jamal Anderson], they struggle. And some other teams, the 49ers, Cowboys, Packers all struggling. Elway: I think that has a lot to do with the salary cap. And I think you are seeing that the playing field is totally evened out. And especially when you get some key injuries it can really devastate teams like it did with the Broncos and the Falcons. And I think the salary cap is really catching up with the 49ers with them being $20 million. You look at Tennessee and St. Louis, no one expected them to be here. A year ago the Rams were 3-13, got a good favorable schedule, were able to take advantage of it and get to the big game. Crane: As a quarterback, you look at these teams. What about Kurt Warner of the Rams? Elway: That's unbelievable. That's what is great, especially in the Super Bowl, to have a guy like Kurt Warner who has really come from the bottom and worked his way up. It's just a great story. I'm happy for him. He's played well. And if you look at it, we were talking about how fragile the game is, if Trent Green never goes down for the Rams, Kurt Warner may have never have seen the field this year. So it just shows you how fate kind of takes care of some things and it's nice to see it happen to a nice guy like Kurt Warner. Crane: And how about looking at the other side. Tennessee's Steve McNair is not the classic pocket quarterback. How much different does that make an offense when you have a guy who can run the way Steve McNair can? Elway: That's an added threat you really can't defense. And the Rams can do everything they can against the schemes that the Titans run. But they can't do anything to prepare for a Steve McNair and what he can do with his legs. So he's a triple-threat throwing the ball as well and running the ball and I think that is something that has got them to this level because he's made some big, big plays the last couple of playoff games. Crane: Now you've mentioned that had a lot to keep you busy. You made big news here Super Bowl week. You, Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky launching a new internet site, MVP.com. I couldn't help but notice that you've got the most impressive title and your name is at the top of all three. Is this the result of some golf game? Elway: I wish I could say that. We're really excited about MVP.com. To be able to sell sporting goods and outdoor equipment online ... we're really excited about it. Not only being endorsers, but being investors in the company and also being on the board and having some input as far as the direction of the company and where it's going. Plus for all of us retiring at the same time, it worked out perfectly. It's a perfect marriage. Crane: Now is there a golf game in the offing at some point? Elway: You bet. Oh, yeah there will be a lot of that. That will never end, especially as competitive as all three of us are I'm sure there will be a lot of golf games. Crane: Well, we wish you the best of luck with that and thank you for your time. Elway: My pleasure. Crane : Our thanks to John Elway.
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