Scott Kacsmar@ScottKacsmar
The John Elway PR is a perfect storm:
• Highly-touted NCAA QB people expected and wanted to be great
• Highlight-reel QB but inconsistent on accuracy/decisions
• Bad play was overlooked because GWDs make better highlight packages
• Lack of statistical analysis for QBs in his era hid flaws
• The Broncos fabricated his clutch success relative to other top QBs to create a false narrative as the NFL’s comeback king
• Took advantage of a weak AFC in the 80s, especially Martyball teams in crunch time
• Crushed in the SB 3x, so people figured it was his team instead of him throwing the game away
• Won at the end with much better stats on a truly stacked team, which helps people say he always had it in him
• Even in his first SB win, he played like crap, but one helicopter twirl highlight gets immortalized while Terrell Davis and the defense that stopped the 3x MVP were the real heroes
• Hollywood ending to win SB MVP in your last game
He’s the #1 case in NFL history of a QB where people willingly ignore the huge volume of bad plays/games/seasons and focus squarely on the best moments of his career.
Things would be a lot different if we gave other QBs the same grace.
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