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Revisiting the Colts-Broncos Trade for John Elway

By Steven Kubitza

John Elway was traded to the Denver Broncos after being drafted by the Baltimore Colts.
John Elway was traded to the Denver Broncos after being drafted by the Baltimore Colts. / TIMOTHY A. CLARY/Getty Images

Eli Manning famously demanded a trade after being taken No. 1 overall in 2004. Yet there was a player who did the same two decades before Manning, forever setting the precedent: Denver Broncos legend John Elway, who could've been an east-coaster (or baseball star) if things had broken differently.

It is easy to forget the start of a player's career when they end up being a Hall of Famer. Elway's career began when he was taken No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1983 NFL Draft. Instead of reporting, he threatened to play baseball, as he was also a second-round pick by the New York Yankees.

The Colts realized a trade was better than a holdout, and made a deal with the Broncos.

Colts-Broncos John Elway Trade Details

Colts acquire: Chris Hinton, Mark Herrmann, and a 1984 first-round pick

Broncos acquire: John Elway

The Colts ended up moving to Indianapolis in 1984, and used that first-round pick on offensive lineman Ron Solt. He made one Pro Bowl with the team and was traded away in 1988. Herrmann also had a short stint in town as a backup quarterback. He spent two years with the Colts before going to San Diego. However, he did finish his career with the team from 1990-1992, appearing in a total of 11 games.

Acquiring Hinton was the only real bright spot from the trade. The offensive lineman was the No. 4 overall pick and made seven career Pro Bowls. Six of those came with the Colts, as he was traded to Atlanta in 1990.

Meanwhile, Elway made nine Pro Bowls in Denver and led his team to two Super Bowl victories. His career spanned from 1983-1998. and he took the Broncos to a total of five Super Bowls. The Colts didn't become consistent contenders until Peyton Manning arrived in 1998.

Who Won the Colts-Broncos John Elway Trade?

The Colts were a rough enough organization that Elway refused to play for them. He went on to make the Broncos a powerhouse in the AFC, and is considered one of the best quarterbacks to play the game. The Broncos won this trade easily, and in a cruel twist, the Colts helped the team out again in the future when they sent Peyton Manning their way, who showed up and won a Super Bowl.