John Elway was one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, both collegiately and professionally. Elway rewrote the Stanford and Pac-10 career record books from 1979-1982. His 77 career touchdown passes are a Stanford record and he ranks second in career passing yards (9349), pass completions (774) and pass attempts (1246). A two-time first team All-America selection and Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1980 and 1982, he finished second to Herschel Walker in the 1982 Heisman Trophy voting. His 24 touchdowns passes in 1982 led the nation and Elway holds the Stanford records for touchdown passes in a game (6, 1980). His season record of 27 touchdown passes (1980) was eclipsed by Andrew Luck (32) in 2011.

The No. 1 pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, Elway led the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl Championships and entered the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Elway also played right field at Stanford for two years before signing a professional contract with the New York Yankees. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.