Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway has delivered a brutal assessment of fellow NFL legend Terry Bradshaw, placing the four-time Super Bowl champion 'way down' his personal list of the sport's greatest quarterbacks.
A Festive Fiery Exchange Goes Viral
The contentious comments emerged during a Netflix sports segment titled 'Winner Stays On: Quarterback Edition', released ahead of the NFL's Christmas day games. The 65-year-old Elway participated in a game comparing legendary quarterbacks from past decades.
While he praised contemporaries like Joe Montana, Patrick Mahomes, and Peyton Manning, and even agonised over some selections, his verdict on Bradshaw was unequivocal. When presented with a choice between Montana and Bradshaw, Elway stated plainly: 'No doubt, Joe Montana. Terry Bradshaw is way down on my list.'
The Roots of a Decades-Old Rivalry
The clip quickly went viral, with many fans suggesting Elway's harsh ranking stems from a long-standing grudge dating back to 1983. That year, Elway, drafted first overall by the Baltimore Colts, refused to play for the team and threatened a baseball career, forcing a trade to the Denver Broncos.
Bradshaw, then a revered figure and face of the Pittsburgh Steelers' dynasty, publicly criticised Elway's stance. He called it 'a slap in the face to the draft and to the National Football League', contrasting it with his own decision to join a struggling 1-13 Steelers team to build a winner.
Bradshaw went further, stating: 'In my opinion, he’s not the kind of guy you win championships with... I don’t think he’ll do it Denver and personally, don’t care if he ever does it.'
From Criticism to Ironic Celebration
History, however, would see Elway eventually silence his critics. After over a decade of near misses, Elway ended his career with back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1998 and 1999. In a moment of rich irony, Bradshaw himself interviewed Elway on the field following that second championship victory.
Elway concluded the Netflix challenge by picking himself over the widely acclaimed Tom Brady, stating: 'I always said I would never trade my ability for anybody else, so I would take me.'
The viral reaction to Elway's comments highlighted the enduring tension. One fan noted online: 'Elway still holding a grudge against Bradshaw for what he said about Elway when he was drafted is All-Pro pettiness.' Another simply added: 'There is no love lost between those two.'
Bradshaw, now 77, remains one of American football's most beloved figures, having led the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories in six seasons between 1974 and 1979 before a successful broadcasting career with Fox.
