John Elway in the NFL (Photo courtesy of the Mile High Report).
John Elway is an Arab-American icon in the NFL. Sadly, everyone might not even know that. Let’s talk about all things Elway!
John Elway’s Arab-American Heritage
One of the reasons people may not know that John Elway is Arab-American is because it’s not a well-known fact. He is. Lebanese, specifically. Good luck trying to figure out where his Lebanese roots come from; after extensive research, it seems like no one knows. John hasn’t appeared to have discussed it much himself, either.
Regardless, Elway’s Arab-American heritage is such an important representation for the NFL community and America at large.
More About Elway’s Childhood
As a fellow Native of Washington, it’s rare that we get representation up in my neck of the woods. Not the Seattleites. I mean the rest of us in Western Washington who go ignored. I can’t speak for Eastern Washington; the only athletes I’ve seen out that way were particularly fast cows in a pasture.
Talent was growing in Port Angeles, Washington, when John Elway’s family decided to plant their family roots there. John and his twin sister (I bet you didn’t know about that either), Jana, were both born in Clallam County.
The Elway family of five, including John’s older sister, LeAnn, remained on the Olympic Peninsula up there by Canada, while dad, Jack Elway, coached at Port Angeles High School.
Jack Elway had coaching gigs at several different institutions around Washington (and Montana, California, and Idaho, but we aren’t going to discuss those states). He spent several years at Aberdeen, near Hoquiam. They did stray out to the east, to Pullman, for a little while. It’s Bryan Kohberger territory out there.
Elway probably parked in Denver country so long because he was tired of moving so much as a kid.
John Does Sports
Elway was a Stanford guy in college, playing baseball and football. In his senior year, John was in second place for the Heisman. He was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
It would be hard to explain how much of an NFL star John Elway is. So we’ll list some of his numerous accolades to paint a picture.
Elway is a two-time Super Bowl champ, a Super Bowl MVP, an NFL MVP, an NFL Man of the Year, a nine-time Pro Bowler, and a Hall of Fame member since 2004. In Denver, his number was retired, and he was enshrined in the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
John Elway Stays in Denver
Elway retired from the NFL in 1998. He couldn’t stay away from the franchise for long, though. After some time away as an Arena League executive and multi-business owner (primarily cars and restaurants), he wanted back with the Broncos.
John was GM and VP of Football Operations for the team for 10 seasons, from 2011 to 2020. He was president of football operations in 2021. In 2022, Elway became a consultant for the team.
The consulting contract expired at the end of the 2022–2023 season with no intention of an extension. Apparently, this was a decision made by both sides. Maybe he’ll finally drink some Pina Colada on the beach in his new-found retirement at 63 years old. He should enjoy it. It’s hard work to be such an icon.
Make sure to read my other Arab American Heritage Month 2024 article here.
