NFL Photos | NFL Photography Gallery | NFL.com
John Elway Through the Years
As John Elway celebrates his 53rd birthday on Friday, NFL.com takes a look back at his Hall of Fame career in photos.

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) calls a play during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 9, 1988 in San Francisco. The Broncos won the game, 16 to 13. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) awaits the snap in the shotgun formation during the NFL Super Bowl XXI football game between the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants on January 25, 1987 in Pasadena, California. The Giants won the game 39-20. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)

Denver Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway,left, congratulates Tim Tebow (15) in the locker room after Denver defeated the Oakland Raiders 38-24 in the NFL game at O.co Coliseum in Oakland,Ca. November 6, 2011. (AP Photo/ Eric Bakke)

Newly-signed Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, center, shows off his new jersey with owner Pat Bowlen, left, and executive vice president of football operations John Elway during an NFL footnall news conference at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Quarterback John Elway of the Denver Broncos celebrates after winning Super Bowl XXXIII 34 to 19 over the Atlanta Falcons on January 31, 1999. This was Elway's second connsecutive Super Bowl win and his last game before retiring. (Allen Kee/NFL)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7)scrambles during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway celebrates the Broncos 34-19 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII, in Miami, Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999. (AP Photo/John Gaps III)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway leans over as he is congratulated by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Cornelius Bennett after the Broncos defeated the Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway stiff-arms Atlanta Falcons linebacker Cornelius Bennett (97) during the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway gives the thumbs up as he carries the Lamar Hunt trophy around the field after defeating the New York Jets 23-10 in the AFC Championship Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999 at Mile High Stadium in Denver.(AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) and tight end Shannon Sharpe (84) join their teammates on the stand at a rally to mark the team's Super Bowl XXXII victory after a parade through the Mile High City of Denver on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1998. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Super Bowl XXXII quarterbacks Brett Favre, left, of the Green Bay Packers, and John Elway, of the Denver Broncos, meet on the field during warm-ups at Qualcomm Stadium Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Denver Broncos' John Elway celebrates from the shoulders of teammates after the Bronco's 31-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway is upended during the third quarter of Super Bowl XXXII at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998. Green Bay Packers' Brian Williams (51), Mike Prior (31) and Seth Joyner are in on the play. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway holds the Super Bowl trophy as he celebrates the Broncos 34-21 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII in San Diego on Sunday, Jan. 25, 1997. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway scrambles as he runs for yardage against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game on Sunday, November 30, 1997 in Oakland, California. The Raiders won 28-25. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway scrambles as he runs for yardage during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 27, 1996 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 34-7. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) signals to the bench during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Dec. 24, 1995 in Oakland. The Broncos won the game, 31 to 28. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) hands the ball off to running back Aaron Craver (29) as heavy snow falls during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Denver's Mile High Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 22, 1995. Craver was stopped at the line of scrimmage on the play. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway holds up the ball after scoring a touchdown in first quarter of Super Bowl XXI, Jan. 25, 1987 in Pasadena, Calif. Left is Broncos guard Mark Cooper. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)

Executive Vice President of Footbal Operations John Elway of the Denver Broncos speaks to the media at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 22, 2013. (Johnny Vy/NFL)

In the closing minutes, Denver Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway and Peyton Manning (18) enjoy the team's win 37-6 over the Oakland Raiders in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO September 30, 2012. (AP Photo/ Eric Bakke )

Stanford quarterback John Elway looks to pass in this Oct. 1982 photo in Palo Alto, Calif. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)