John Elway & Shannon Sharpe Share Denver Broncos Stories, Talks Josh Allen, Peyton, Von & More

We got to set this up. So, this is the. AFC Championship game. Less than 2. minutes to go. We're third and six and. we need this first down because I. believe if we don't. >> if we don't get the first down, we're. going to lose this game. >> We're going to lose starts going, "Well, that ain't in the game plan. [laughter]. It ain't in the game plan." And I I. said, "It is now. So, go down seven. yards and turn around." [laughter]. >> Of 150 plays, how do I know one play. that's not in the game plan? It is now. Now, go get Oprah. All my life been. grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price, [music] want a slice,

got to roll the dice. That's why. All my. life I've been grinding all my life. All. my life [music] been grinding all my. life. Sacrifice. Hustle paid the price. Want a slice. Got to roll a dice. [music] That's why all my life I've been. grinding all my life. >> Hello. Welcome to another episode of. Club Shay. I am your host Shannon Sharp. I'm also the proprietor of Club Shay. stopping by. A very special guest. stopping by for conversation on the. drink today. One of the greatest. quarterbacks of all time. One of the.

most feared and gifted quarterbacks ever. to play in the NFL. He's the only player. in NFL history to pass for more than. 3,000 yards, rush for more than 200. yards in the same season, seven. consecutive times. He's one of the. winningest quarterbacks in NFL history. to 148 victories when he retired. He's. ranked number one in NFL history in. fourth quarter comebacks, game-winning. drives, or game-saving drives with 47. when he retired. He's an NFL MVP in. 1987, offensive player of the year in. 1993, a member of the NFL all decade. teams of the 1990s. He's also a member.

of the various prestigious 100th. anniversary teams, which means he's one. of the hundred greatest players to ever. play in the NFL. He's the first. quarterback to start five Super Bowls. He won back-to-back Super Bowls as a. player, helping the Broncos win their. first ever Super Bowl. He's the Super. Bowl MVP of Super Bowl 33. He also won. the Super Bowl as a GM and executive of. the Denver Broncos. He's the first. person to win a Super Bowl as a player. and a GM. A first ballot hall of famer. He's in the College Football Hall of. Fame, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, Denver Bronco Ring of Fame. His number. seven is one of three retired by the.

Denver Broncos. A ninetime pro bowler, a. five-time all ALFC, three-time allp pro, greatest and most accomplished player in. Broncos history. A Broncos legend, football royalty, Denver's favorite son, the king of the comeback, the Duke of. Denver. He's the third greatest trivia. player in Broncos history behind myself. and Duke Barney Shavas, my teammate, my. quarterback. Here he is, the living. legend, John. Tell you what to do, [laughter] man. >> Can you follow me around with all that. introduction? Wow, that's a good that's. a nice introduction.

>> When when you hear all those things and. and obviously you've been retired two. over two decades and you hear that. because and I tell people when you play. and you don't really have a chance to. reflect on it. It's not until it's over. with that you realize, damn. And people. remind you of just how great you were. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's Yeah, you do. kind of forget it. I mean I mean the. farther you get away from it, right? Then you move on with life and. >> and especially when I was the GM and. then once you know a couple years ago. and left the Broncos as the GM, then it. was like you kind of move on to a. different life and so it's kind of it's.

fun to come back and visit it, right? And so yeah, it's you know that's why. this Netflix film is is great too and it. was fun doing that too cuz to go back. and revisit the memories, jog your. memory because it has been that long. ago, right? So to go back and jog it and. remember all the great things, all the. fun we had and uh so it's uh it's but. it's it's fun to look back and enjoy a. little bit. You forget. >> It's really fun to have you on Club. Shay. Do you remember when Club Shay. started? >> It did. I can't. It was in a locker. room, but I can't remember. >> 1996 we was in in the uh in training.

camp. Keith Burns, Rod Smith room. because that's where we gambled, we. played video games, we played cards, we. did all those things. And I remember. nobody wanted to be on the eighth floor. because that's where that's where all. the noise were and we weren't going to. bed before probably two o'clock in the. morning. But I always thought it was. very very I don't know why and this is. what I want to ask. Why was it so. important for you? Because you would you. would gamble with us when we're in the. locker room shooting poppy shot with the. basketball. You put your PDM down. You. gamble with us. Why was that so.

important for you to do that? >> Well, [snorts] number one, I like doing. it. [laughter]. >> You like trying to take our money. >> I Exactly. I fig I thought you guys were. easy targets. I [laughter] like I'm. going to show up cuz I love to play. card, you know, and you can compete and. do those type of things. But, >> you know, and also I think, you know, it. was like as a quarterback, I always. wanted to be a part of the team, a. member of the team, right? Because. every, you know, so many times you get. put on the pedestal. So, >> it was always important for me to try to. get myself off that pedestal and spend. time with teammates and, you know, play. games and, you know, play cards and, you.

know, have fun and get to know. everybody, right? So that's why it was. always important to me cuz it was like I. always wanted to be a part of the team. I didn't want to be above the team. I. wanted to be a part of it. So that's why. it was always. >> and it was always because we're at the. back of the plane. We're rolling dice in. the aisle until Mike put a kibbach to. that. We're [laughter] playing cards. We. doing all these things. I remember in. training camp when we would go out and. uh we'd get a knife off one of those. once two times that we're in training. camp and we'd go to the smiling moose. and you like, "Hey guys, what y'all. doing tonight?" Like, "Hey, I guess we.

just go to the moose." And you would. show up. You know, we made sure you were. protected. say, "Nah, he he ain't taking. no pictures. He signed no autographs. He's just having a good time with the. teammates." But for you to do that, do. you think that that happens enough in. today's game? >> You know, I think that, you know, it's I. get asked the question all the time. Wouldn't you love to play now in today's. game? Yeah. You know, and my comment is. >> no because I had such a great time when. we played and you know, things were. great. I think the game obviously the. game's changed, correct? The rules have. changed, athletes have changed, social.

media has changed so much in the game. changed so much of it, >> right? And I think that, you know, you. look at 98 and 30, Super Bowl 32 and 33, the 90, you know, even really from since. when Mike came back, 95 when Mike came. back and we had such good football teams. that it was just so much fun to be. together and the right and Mike put the. right kind of guys on the football team. and so everybody got along and it really. was a big family, as we talked about. And so, you know, that's why it's like I. loved playing when I I played. I think. today, you know, and it's hard. I don't. think it's the players fault, but you.

know, the money is so much bigger now. >> You know, you have social media and. players are doing so much more now off. the field than they kind of used to and. they have the they have the opportunity. to do that. So, God bless them. Yeah. >> But I think it just that doesn't create. >> the team that we had and the closeness. that we had on our team, right? And. plus, I think Mike also helped with that. a lot. A lot of times he let us, you. know, >> we Yeah, we had we had we had casino. night. casino night, but then we'd have. hat day on Friday. Go, you guys go, "Hey, you go visit Mike and we want a.

hat day." So, I'd go out and visit Mike. and get a hat day on Friday. And he. goes, "Yeah, but you you better practice. your ass off.". >> Exactly. >> And so, I came back down. I said, "I got. it, boys, but we better practice our ass. off." So, >> I I'm going share a story that I've. never shared before. But, you know, when. Mike got back, we had this thing in. training camp where we had we go. bowling, offense against defense, and we. had a fishing tournament. >> [laughter]. >> First fish, biggest fish, most fish. >> Yeah, >> I went to King Supras. [laughter] I. bought fish and the frozen fish. Put it.

on and threw it out there. >> Let it th out a little bit. >> I forgot that part. I forgot. [laughter]. I didn't think I didn't think that part. in advance. See, I didn't think that. part in advance. But I reel the fish in. and the guy's like, "Hold on. Either you fishing in the Pacific. [laughter] Ocean. and this is a pond, >> a big old king salmon or something, right?" [laughter]. Hey man, I was just trying I was just. trying to win. But but. >> even that on top of that fishing just. getting I mean I think we played golf. that one day thing we played nine holes.

right we'd go play nine holes have the. fishing deal but those were the type of. things Mike that did Mike did that. allowed us to you know. >> to really to really bond as a team. And. I think the thing is John we really. sincerely love being around each other. I mean it wasn't a race to get up out of. there. You know we got there on time but. guys we stayed around. We were shooting. popping shots. We were rolling dice. I. mean, it'd be six as Steve Edwards to. say, "Man, y'all going to get me. divorced cuz you know he's married and. he's rolling dice with the single guys, but it was just fun. We really enjoyed. being around each other and I think that. really helped the team bonding and.

helped us become as close as we became.". >> Oh, no doubt. I mean, that, you know, and then we got in tough times and, you. know, tough situations and games and. those type things. I think all that. stuff really helped us out and plus. [clears throat] we're really good, so it. was fun being really good. >> This episode is brought to you by Prize. Picks. It's the holiday season, the best. time of year for sports. bowl game, basketball matchups, playoff pushes, it's all happening at once. And while. you and I are here making decisions. every day, what gifts to buy, what to. eat, which games to watch. There's one. place where it feels good to be right. Prize picks. Football season is winding.

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code Shannon to get $50 in lineups after. you play your first $5 lineup. Prospects, it's good to be right. People. have to ask me, "What do you think. John's first impression was when he met. you?" Well, I got you now. So, [laughter] you got. what? Cuz I remember my sister say, "Shannon, don't go out there bulldoging. with that man. You out there to try to. make the team and to help win some games. or something. Don't go out there messing. around and joking and laughing and all. the I couldn't help myself [laughter]. cuz I You know what it was? You know,

and the thing is, Shannon, you were you. were outside to start with as a white. out, right?" which was which was for me. a great thing cuz you were a big target, right? I'd had the three amigos for so. long, you know, but you know, Rod came. along, he was a bigger target, but were. you did you come in the same year as Rod. or. >> No, I came in in 90. >> Yeah. 90. Well, I came in. >> 94. >> Oh, okay. >> Cuz remember he on the practice squad. and he didn't get to start until Mike. came in ' 95. >> Okay, that's right. So, I have a tough. time with the dates. It was a long time. ago, [laughter] but. >> but you know, you were the first big. target, right? Because I, you know, I.

had the three amigos now. They were, you. know, they were great players and, you. know, but totally different. So, I was. looking for a big target. So, I love. seeing Shannon outside and watching him. run around because he could run and. catch and had great hands. And so, it. was just a matter. I just remember you. were a little um what's the word I'm. looking for? >> Didn't have the experience. A little. raw. There it is. >> Yeah. Raw. Raw night. >> A little raw. And so you know not and I. don't know how much you threw it at.

Savannah State. >> We threw it a bunch but it was very. simple. 665 [laughter] that would hold. it. 6651 ready break. >> So uh but and the thing is I just. remember um we had this drill and you I. I don't even remember who the third. quarterback was but knew it was you and. Coup and the DB was in front of us and. you know we take off and you would throw. it and we try to jump over the DB and. catch the football. And I remember I I. drew the assignment. I was like, I would. have to draw the taller Dennis Smith. who's 6'4 kahuna. I was like, why I got.

to try to jump up over here? Why. couldn't I get uh uh uh Kip Carrington? Why could I jump up on Kip? But you. threw the ball and I jumped over him and. I literally like had my knees on his. shoulder and I caught the ball and you. came and you looked at me. You're like, "Do you realize what you just did?" I. was like, "Damn, I messed up." Well, I. was supposed to catch it like this. He's. like, "No, do you realize how high you. were up in the air?" I was like, "I. jumped as high as I needed to catch the. ball." He's like, "You just keep doing. that. You keep doing it. [laughter] You. just keep doing that." What was it about. what you saw in me? Because you took a.

liking to me. I'm not so sure you had. ever taken a liking to another player. like that before or since. What was it. about me that you saw in me that you was. like, "You know what? This kid could be. special.". >> Well, I mean, I think, you know, you. having this show and everything that. you're always very engaging, right? You're fun to be around and you like to. joke and have a good time. Plus, I think. that you were a guy that wanted to. learn. you wanted to be a great player. You wanted to make it and. >> and I think that you know just your. curiosity and you know the the questions.

that you asked to try to make yourself a. better player I think is what you know. and plus I you know when I saw that and. plus your size and your speed and. everything and I I knew you could be. special in this league. So I I was on. your side because [laughter] I I was. gonna benefit the most. >> Yeah. Well it look at the end of the day. coach Reeves made it. Coach Reeves was. smart enough to draft me, but somehow he. was forgot to cut me. But I think you. had a large part to that because like. you said and and Coach Reeves, you know, there's a lot of people pulling for you.

Um, they put me on special teams. I. never played no special teams before. They like, "Can you play special teams?". I was like, "Yep. Never played special. teams before in my life, but they put me. on kickoff, kickoff, return, punt, punt. return. I was a gunner. The biggest. gunner in the history in the history of. the game." But it was just the fact that. I'm thinking to myself, I was like, "Man, this dude really, he really wants. me to succeed." And, you know, I was. always so much more talented than. everybody else. So, it was easy. You. know, high school, college was really. easy. But coming here, and everybody was. an all-American, everybody was this and. that at bigger schools. I was like,

"Man, I can't let him down." And I just. remember you telling me, I said, "Look, I don't care who's on you. If you're. oneonone, I'm throwing you the football. You better catch it." I like, "Well, damn. That's" [laughter] And I was like, "He has more confidence in me than I got. in myself." But. do you remember when uh I remember Dan. they uh Greek came and got me and said. Dan wanted to talk to me. I was like. damn I'mma get cut. I mean this damn I. thought I had made it. I had made the. team and Dan told me they're going to. move me to tight end. [snorts] You you. would you I was like sure I'd be willing. but at that time John I had done dropped.

so much weight. I mean I think I was. about 210 trying to play tight end. So we get in practice. I never told this. story in practice either. So I they put. me in motion. I stop. Hold up. What I. got again? [laughter]. He said, he said, "Don't don't don't. worry about it. Just we're going to put. you in motion. I just want you to go a. 100 miles an hour." This is we're in. mile high, 5,280 ft. If you ever been to. Colorado, you understand the altitude. So, imagine me going in motion. So, he.

they put me in motion for the entirety. of the game. And people didn't believe. this when I said this in my speech. because I had never said it before, is. that they put me in motion the entire. game. And if you're calling out the. signals as I run by you, you tell me. what I'd have to run. But why why you. just say, "Dan, he doesn't learn. He. doesn't know the plays right now. Until. he's able to get up to full speed, I. don't know if we can play it.". >> Well, I knew you'd get to play, [laughter]. you know, and plus and I that's how much. I thought of you as a player, right? And. especially with you moving to tight end,

you know, and really it was more of an. Hback, right? More of an Hback, which. you know, as a receiver, but the thing. is you had to, you know, to me it was. even a better spot for you. Obviously, it turned out being a better spot for. you, but I I wanted you to stay around. and I knew how bad you wanted it. And so. therefore, >> you know, and I knew the play, you know, I knew everything. I knew eventually you. would get it, but you were, you know, still very raw. >> and that it was just going to take time. So, >> a lot of times I did it just to make. sure you knew. I knew you knew. sometimes, >> you know, [laughter] and if I if it. wasn't too loud, we could do it at home.

a lot more than we could on the road. But. >> I could tell if you didn't know what you. do, and that's what I for sure told. [laughter] But, you know, eventually I. you know, >> you let me go. Yeah, you knew everything. that was going on and it was just a. matter and I think that was as I I keep. using the word raw, you know, because of. what you you hadn't learned. You just. scratched the surface, right? And that. and experience takes time. It does, right? And so, >> you know, that's all you needed. And. once you got that experience, you just. absolutely took off. And you know, and I. say this all the time. They always ask. me, they say, "Who's your favorite. receiver?" I say, "Well, number one is.

the open one, >> right? [laughter]. >> And number two, it's Shannon Sharp, right?" And the reason why is we had. such great matchups. You always got. great matchups. You would swat off. little DBs and then the backers couldn't. the backers. They couldn't run with you, right? And so that's why you were such a. great player in the Hall of Fame because. of the matchups that we got with you. And that's why for me. >> when it was nutting time and we had a. big play, we needed a third down. And I. bring up the the Pittsburgh game that I. always knew that I if it was man.

coverage, I had a great match up with. you and I just had your catch radius. Yes. >> Was so big, right? >> So I if I got pressure or whatnot, if I. got it in the area, chances are you're. going to come down with it. >> Back to that play. >> Normally we practice the plays during. the week that we're going to run in the. game. And so we put this play in, if I'm. not mistaken, I think. >> we got we got to set this up. So this is. the AFC Championship game in 19. [clears throat]. >> 1997. Yep. >> 97. It's 98 season because we're going.

or uh. >> the 96 season. >> 96 season. 97 Super Bowl, right? Yeah. >> You just go to Super Bowl 32. >> Yeah. Super Bowl 32. So, we're. >> we're in three rivers. >> This is a year after we got upset by. Jackson the first round when we had the. we were 13 and three at Longfield and we. got upset. So, now we got to go to. Pittsburgh. We just we got out of Kansas. City the week before. >> We pounded on Miami or. >> Jacksonville when they came back in that. year. >> So, we're in Pittsburgh and now it's we. we went up like 21 to three.

>> Yeah, we did. We Well, big. We feeling. good about ourselves. >> Yeah. And so all of a sudden it's coming. back and now we're we're there's less. maybe right less than two minutes to go. We're third and six. >> and we need this first down because I. believe if we don't. >> if we don't get the first down we're. going to lose this game. >> We're going to lose. We're going to. lose. They had they had all the. momentum. >> We had all the momentum and I think it. was 21 to 20 or I can't remember the. score but we this was the play we either. make this play or we don't. >> Time out. Go to the sideline. [laughter]. Gary and Mike go over there and say okay. Gary Gary's there and say wood we're.

going to go 324. all hitch. I said, "Okay, [clears throat] that's fine." D. It was a TV timeout. So, I get back the. title and I just say, I tell everybody. what we're doing. We're going 324 all. hitch. And I told everybody, "Get past. get down past the first mark.". >> And it was, you know, we were split. >> We was in FCO empty. >> Yeah. Yeah. And so it was just go down. past Mark and I'm going to take the best. look, >> right? >> And try to and try to get the first. down. So, so I say it's 324. I'll hitch.

And all of a sudden, and now we've run. 3240 all hitch the whole year. I mean, it's like we ran it in training camp. It's in our base installation every. year. That started back in May. [laughter]. Shannon starts going, "Well, it ain't. the game plan. It ain't the game plan.". And I I said, "It is now, so go down. seven yards and [laughter] turn around.". >> He said, "Go get open." Because I had. memorized the plays because like you. said, I didn't really know like when I. came in, I was so wrong. And so I made. it my to know every play that was in the.

game plan. And I'm like, that's not in. the game plan. That's not of 150 plays. How do I know one play that's that's not. in the game plan. It is now. Now go get. open. And we get the hardest coverage. They go cover five, which is man two. under, but the the the backer is up is. playing underneath. And I don't realize. it until I turn around. >> It's Greg Lloyd. >> Uh Jason Gilder. Jason Gild. Jason Gild. Okay. All he had to do if he does this, the ball hits the back of his hand, hits. the but he tried to swipe.

>> Yeah. >> And by the time he did this, the ball. was already there and I spins away and I. get the and I was like, [laughter] Lord. have mercy. Well, you caught it back here. Here it. come. >> Yeah, because I just remember in ' 91, John, we had a situation against the. Raiders where you I was uh uh uh and I. dropped the ball in the south end zone. and uh I line up tight, they motion me. out and they walk up walk the backer out. and I'm like oneonone. I got him. Got. him. If I catch this ball, we going to. have homefield throughout the playoffs.

I drop it. We end up having to go to. Buffalo. We end up losing to Buffalo in. the AFC Championship 107. And I just. remember thinking that I I was going. home and I I was I was crying. I called. my brother said, "Man, I just messed. up." He said, "What happened?" I said, "I dropped a touchdown and I know it. would have given us homefield throughout. the playoffs." He said, "Don't worry. about it. You'll get another. opportunity." And it took 6 years. basically for that opportunity to. present itself. I said, "If I ever put. get back in this situation, I ain't. letting this happen again." And man, that was I don't think I don't think we.

sat down. The plane was taking off. We. were still standing up. That's the best. part about charter fights because they. don't really tell you what to do. We. kind of like do our own thing. >> That was. >> of all the Super Bowls and all the. That's probably my greatest moment. There was nothing like that. I mean, obviously the beating the Packers in the. Super Bowl, but. >> Right. >> What was your favorite play though, me. and you? What's your favorite play? Was. it that. >> you and I? >> Yeah. [snorts]. >> That's one I talk about all the time. But we, you know, we had so many, you. know, and it's the thing is, and this. is, this thing's, >> you know, that's why I did this Netflix.

show to get this thing going so I could. remember different things. But, you. know, that's the one that always sticks. out to me. And plus, plus it was so. funny when you when we're [laughter]. done, you're going, "WELL, THAT AIN'T. THE GAME." HE SAID, "IT is now.". >> He realized he's like, I remember him. asking me like, "Why do your boys do. that when you get [laughter]. >> He said, "Are you doing are you doing. that on purpose?" It's like, nah, it's. just like when I get excited, [laughter]. it goes up like three octaves cuz but I. remember uh in the Netflix you like the. David Brandon play in Seattle in the old.

kingdom. People don't realize if you. never played there how loud that place. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> That place get got loud. It was only. like what 55 60,000 but they're like. right there on top of you. And. >> it was all cement. So the noise bounced. off everything. So that was by far the. noisiest place of anywhere that we. played. >> And we uh this was uh this had to be 90. this was 93 when you take the shotgun. snap and he comes in unblock. Now I. don't know of all the things why you. didn't spin out cuz a lot of times you.

like to spin out. >> Yeah. >> But this this for whatever reason you. just dug up under. >> Yeah. >> And flatfooted throws the ball about 60. yards. >> Yeah. >> And uh we had all seams on and I got. past Black and for the touchdown. Did. you like you like oh he out there. somewhere? Well, no. I mean, when that. was one of my, you know, and I, you're. right, you know, and the thing is. there's so many things when when you're. playing, >> you know, and that's why I don't think. I'd have been a good coach because. there's a lot of things that I can't. explain why I did things, right? Or why. I reacted. You just react, right? And.

so, you know, in that situation, I it. was probably because there was nowhere. to go anywhere else and he was coming so. hard. Yes. >> Right. So, >> you know, was able to duck and then, you. know, get the ball to you. But, uh, that. was, you know, that's one of my favorite. plays that I've had, too, as far as, you. know, in in my career that, you know, was able to put it on the money to you. and, uh, at least avoid that sack, too. >> I remember, uh, in meetings, we sit next. to each other and as as cool as they're. going through the game plan, I would. write on yours like, "Okay, this week. seemed like like 252 touchdowns. You.

give me the thumbs up." Then sometimes. just to mess with you, I'm like, "Yeah, this seems like maybe 175 yard a. touchdown." You like cross that out. No, I'm thinking like 3003. [laughter]. But when when what was it about our. chemistry and our makeup? Because we did. a lot of things in practice and I was. like I was like this seems a little. long. I mean I don't know if I'm going. to have time and I want to and you was. like okay run it like this in practice. because I know you're going to speed it. up in the game. Yeah. >> Cuz we had that we had that interaction.

what they would call cuz at the end of. the day. >> they're like well why'd you do it like. that? I said because the guy that has. the ball was going to throw me the ball. He told me to run it like that. >> [laughter]. >> you didn't have no balls, so I'm. listening to him. >> Yeah. But, you know, it's you're right, Sand, there was just a, you know, we. just had that, right? We thought a lot. We talked a lot about it as you said and. I think and and the thing is I had so. much confidence in you, right? And so, that to me is what and I. >> I just knew that we're getting a good. and I knew that if I put it close, it. wasn't going to get picked. Right.

Right. Because I was not always on. target. >> [laughter]. >> you know that it wasn't but but just the. confidence that I had in you that uh you. know it was I got another story I'll. bring up and I can't remember what I. think it was might have been our la my. last year 99 and I remember we're. playing here. >> and I get pressure or something like. that and I have to throw the ball to the. front side and you're on the back side. and they didn't even cover you and. you're over there. [laughter]. he's waving and he's throwing his arms. down and I'm looking at him like we get.

to the sideline I said don't you ever do. that to me again. [laughter]. Like I said, I couldn't see. I was. getting pressure and said, "Don't make. me look, you know, don't don't." It's. like I'm supposed to be looking at you. cuz the reads on the other side. You. weren't even in the progression. >> I was not throwing. [laughter]. >> So, >> you want TO PLAY QUARTERBACK? YOU THINK. YOU CAN PLAY QUARTERBACK? >> NO, I can't play. >> So, I was still mad at him. So, the next. week of practice, I wouldn't throw him. the ball. [laughter]. >> Hey, that was Yeah, I would I WOULD. >> I FORGOT. YOU KNOW WHAT? I I FORGOT. [laughter] ALL ABOUT THAT. THAT WAS THAT.

THAT was absolutely right. I'm like, "Hold on." I remember asking BP. I was. like, "What the hell am I doing? [laughter] I run ALL THESE ROUNDS. I'M. supposed to be one in the progression. He going two to three." I said, "There's. some bull drive, man." Oh. So, we get to. Friday and he is now mad. He's going to. Brian Perion, the tight end coach. And. then Brian grabs me. He goes, "Would you. please throw the sha the ball to. Shannon?" I said, "Will you make sure. that he's not going to show me up in the. middle in front [laughter] of 76,000. people again?" He goes, "Okay, no, he. won't. I promise you he won't." I said, "Okay, he's learned his lesson.".

[laughter]. >> Trash talk. Did you Did you ever do any. trash talk or do I do a deal enough of. every. >> You took care you you were great at. [laughter] Right. So, you you handled. most of that. No, I didn't really, you. know, I'd get more small chip to guys, defensive linemen and d But, you know, especially if you know, later in the. game you get mad or something like that, then you know, small. But, I. >> I never like to, you know, how many. times guys I'm Yeah, well, I'm coming to. get you today. I said, well, you know. where I'll be. Right. >> I'll be right here. >> You got to get through these five first.

I'll be right here. But. >> no, that wasn't, you know, there's. enough going on, you know, with. >> next play and figuring out downing. distance and all the different things. you have to do as a quarterback that I. didn't waste a lot of time with it. >> I love the fact I think we played Indie. We played Indie here in 93 and uh you. threw a pass and Steve Inman was the. number one pick in the draft and he. knocked it he batted the ball down and. he's going crazy. You're like, "Bro, you're the number one pick in the draft. You're supposed to knock it down." We. come back the very next play and throw a. touchdown. He's like, "I guess you. didn't knock that one down." [laughter].

I like, "OH, MY QUARTERBACK. YOU TALKING. A LITTLE TRASH, [laughter] HUH?". >> OH, YEAH. >> The Super Bowls, you went to five, started five. Which. one was the toughest loss. or were they all the same? >> You know, the LA, you know, the last one. against the Niners, right? Because that. was the third one, right? And so they. they got progressively worse and we. played progressively worse in you know. and against the Giants in the first one. in in ' 86.

>> You know we played a great first half. We just didn't we you know and then we. you know Rich Carlos made the longest. field goal in Super Bowl history and. then we missed one. We had first and. goal on the one right before half and. came away with no points. So end up. going away going into halftime 10-9. And. so that one, you know, we played really. good the first half and then the Giants. just kind of steamrolled us that second, you know, the second half. And so that. was disappointing, but it was all right. It was the first one. They were good. They beat us. Then the next year we go. and we're actually favorites against the. Redskins.

>> You get off to a great start. Y'all. think you start 10 nothing. >> We're up 10 nothing. First play of the. game we throw bomb. So we go up seven, right? And then then there's a we they. had kicked off. They we kicked off or. whatnot. We got a fumble, didn't get it, and then it was like 19 plays later, we're down 3510, right? So, and then we had a bad we were. probably 500 and uh 88 and then 89 we're. playing the 49ers and you know. >> they were like. >> they were machine. >> They were a machine and it and the funny.

thing is we were in practice in two lane. and back then we just had the two. quarterbacks, Gary and I. So we'd always. we'd split on on when we're taking the. offense, I'd go four, Gary go two, and. then when scout team, Gary go forward, and I'd go two. So. >> we're down in pract in uh New Orleans, and. >> you know, we're we're kind of tearing. them up in as a scout team. and we're throwing these posts, right? Because our reads, we're reading it like. we're supposed to. >> and our reads, there's no free safety.

And so, you know, John Taylor and Jerry. Rice are running posts either side. And. so we're hitting these posts and we're. going, "Wow." And so Charlie, our. defensive coordinator, Charlie Waters, gets in the hollow. He goes, "Stop. throwing the post. They don't throw the. post." Right. And I'm like, "Well, that's the West Coast offense." I I grew. up with that in college. That's all we. threw. And one of the first reads was. there's always a built-in post. Absolutely. >> There's always a built-in post. And so. there there's no free safety, right? That's your first read.

>> I was like, "Uhoh.". >> W that basically jumping. >> Yeah. We stopped throwing the We stopped. throwing the post and Jerry ends up. scoring three touchdowns on the post. But, you know, we were just outman there. and they were a much better football. team than we were. So, that was the. toughest one just because now all of a. sudden it's like. >> here it comes. Well, can't win the big. one, you know. D. And so, that was that. one lingered for a long time. Actually, you know, it took us eight years to get. back until. >> we finally get back. >> How did that how did that how did that.

mess with you [clears throat] mentally? Because in ' 87 you won the MVP and you. was one of you were the highest graded. player at that point in time to ever. come out of come out of college. Male. Kyper's grade. You was like the no you. were supposed you're the goal. You were. supposed to win like have four of these. things by now, right? >> And now all of a sudden you're suffering. the most lopsided Super Bowl losses and. they're progressively getting worse and. worse and I remember you told a story. like damn I don't even want to go back. if we ain't got no better chance to win. what we got. So So how was that how was. that dealing with you? How was that. mentally on you? You know, it was it was.

the thing is you couldn't get away from. it. >> Yes. >> Right. You couldn't get away from it. because that's all the media wanted to. talk about, right? Is the fact is, you. know, will your will your career. >> be complete if you don't win a Super. Correct. >> Right. And so I lied my whole life. saying, "Well, >> right.". >> Yeah. Yeah. I'd [laughter] be proud, >> which is [clears throat] I which is not. true. I knew. >> that, you know, for me to be considered. a great player, great quarterback that. we had to win a Super Bowl at some point. in time. And so, you know, that the. hardest thing was you couldn't, like I.

said, you couldn't we couldn't escape it. because it got brought up every year, right? And it each year when make the. playoffs, lose the first round, second. round, you know, that'd come back and. it'd come back and it'd come back and so. but on top of that, >> it also added more incentive, right? And. >> and so it kept me working hard and, you. know, you were a great influence. I. mean, I I thought I worked hard in the. weight room till I saw you work. [laughter] hard in the weight room. >> And you know, and I got pretty strong. I. always remember, too, is what I was the. great unveiling. [laughter].

>> See, we never talk. They don't know. about the unveiling team. They don't. know about that. >> They don't know about the great. unveiling. >> Yeah. >> So, we made we, you know, we'd work out. four times a week and Shannon was in. there. We'd get in there both at the. same time. And obviously, he was working. with a different group than I was, but. he would always wear these big baggy. shirts, these long long sleeves, da da. da. And so he'd just sit there and he'd. work his tail off and you know he'd just. get like like the Hulk. And so the end. of at the end of the offseason program.

every year uh it'd be we called it the. great unveiling and that's when Shannon. would take his his shirt off and go he'd. start flexing [laughter] and show every. everything that he'd worked for the last. four weeks. So that went on for my last. six years it was always when's when's. the green? >> I wouldn't even shower with nobody. So. they never they never saw I be all it's. always I was always long sleeve always. covered and he was asking me I even. practice like that for you know I always. practice with long sleeve and he's like. why do you do that I say you know some. bailing you that's top secret you can't.

see you can't see until you see and then. you know it's like damn. >> he's like what do you eat your dad like. what do you eat do you eat anything. because you know I brought my own food. uh uh and everything I was always. diligent about what I ate I didn't have. any sauces anything like that because I. felt. >> you the with the work I put in in the. offseason, I wasn't going to ruin it. once I got back in season. So, I stayed. conscious of that. But that was. >> but the uh yeah, the great ending. But. getting back to the fact that, you know, it was just a matter added a little more.

fuel to the fire, you know, and then, >> you know, Dan got fired and then Wade. came in. There was kind of some. excitement there. We went eight and. eight to two years. >> No, we went to the We went to the. playoffs that first year. >> Yeah. We played [clears throat] the. Raiders back to back one year. We went. to LA home and then back to LA. They. beat. >> us. If we' have won that game, they' had. to come here. Correct. >> They we they beat us. And I remember. that game. Um we we we were cooking. them. Me and you, we were cooking them. We got up to that great start. And. that's the game I needed uh I think I. needed 121 yards to get a,000 and I was.

going to get $100,000. That was. $100,000. Was a lot of money back. It. still is, but it was really, really, really a lot of money back then cuz. considering I was only making like. 300,000. And I remember I caught six for. a buck 15 and two touchdowns. And then I. looked at the stat sheet and I had95 and. I was like, "God dang." Cuz on the. plane, we always sat across from each. other. So I'm sitting on this side and. the aisle, you sitting on that side in. the aisle. He's like, "That what's. what?" You know, besides we lost the. game, what happened? I said, "Man, if I. got a,000 yards, I'd have had uh I'd.

have got $100,000. I only needed five. yards." And you looked at me, you said, "Don't ever let that happen again. I. don't care if you need 25 yards. You. tell me, I'll get you the ball." And. then we go back out there the following. week. You throw me 13 for a buck 56. [laughter]. I said I needed 13 for a buck 56 last. week. [laughter] But what what what type. of toll did that take on at at home? Did. that take a toll on home losing like. that knowing and I tell this is what I. tell people T. I say the harder you work. for something and when it doesn't come. to fruition, the more it hurts. Yeah.

>> I said if you work for I don't care what. it is. If you work for something really. hard and when it doesn't pan out, it. hurts like hell. Anybody that tells you. it doesn't, they're not working hard. enough or it doesn't mean enough to. them. >> Exactly. And I think that Yeah. I mean, it does. You know, the disappointment. and [clears throat] as you know, the. older you get, >> you know, you know, my dad always said, "Don't ever let winning be a relief and. losing be a tragedy.". >> Oh, >> right. >> Yes. >> And that and the older you get, that's. kind of, you know, that's when you know. you're kind of getting close to the end. because now all of a sudden you really.

don't get the joy cuz football is hard. enough. Yes. that if you don't enjoy the. victories as much as you hate the. losses, it doesn't balance out. It gets. lopsided and it makes it that much. tougher. >> But, you know, I think that and I had a. thought right there on what you had just. said as far Oh, working hard. The thing. that I learned there though was because. I know going in those first three Super. Bowls that I I tried harder each time. Right. >> Right. And one thing I learned is the. bigger the game, the le you you got to.

you got to calm yourself down and relax. yourself to where you're saying, "Okay, I'm going to go out and play the best. game I've ever played. I got to play. great. I got to do this. I got to do. that. I got to do this." Which all it. does is add more pressure to you. >> Just like going [clears throat] into. Super Bowl 32. It's like, "All right, don't think about the outcome, right? Forget about the outcome. Take it one. day, one play at a time. Don't think. about it. And don't watch TV. Stay out. of all the hoopla." Right. Yeah. >> And just go play a football game and. don't think about it being the Super. Bowl or anything else to where you're. not putting that much more pressure on.

you. I got to San Francisco in that. third one, I'm sitting there going, I'm. going to have to win this by myself. Right. Right. Which is the worst thing. you can do. >> And all I did and I played terrible, right? So going into that 30 game was. the fact that okay, let's just go. concentrate on one play. Don't think. about don't even don't even think about. it what it would feel like to be world. champion. Right. >> Right. don't even don't let that enter. your mind. Go out and play a football. game and everything else will fall in. line. And so that was kind of the you. know jumping ahead a little bit. But.

that's what my thought process was going. into the Green Bay game and you know I. played better there and we were able to. win the football. >> But it got so bad after those losses. that you had to have they had police. behind it because you started getting. death threats. [laughter]. I mean you they had police standing. behind you just to make sure ain't. nobody get you at the game. Well, I. mean, it's like in the first Super Bowl. we lost, we had like 500,000 people at. the parade. And the last one we lost, there was like 20,000 people, [laughter]. >> but but in in the Green Bay, the one.

that we won, did you think we could. lose? Cuz I went to I maybe it was just. my naive tape, but I didn't think we. could lose. I didn't think Green Bay. could beat us. >> I didn't either, especially with the. game plan that we had, right? Yes. And. Mike and Gary did such a great job with. that game plan. If you remember, they we. split you out the whole game. Yes. >> To get Loy Butler out of the box out of. the box. >> cuz Leroy Butler was playing strong. safety and he would mess he never knew. where he was going to be. He'd mess up. the running game. He'd mess everything. [clears throat] up. And that's why I. think Gary and Mike did such a fantastic. job putting him outside. Plus, they knew. how good they were in the secondary. Two.

great corners and. >> uh Robinson and pre-safety that they. were that good that, you know, we were. going to have to run the football, right? And by spreading everybody out, getting you out, getting Loy Butler out. of so he couldn't screw things up. And. then TD just, you know, went crazy for. us and and uh. >> I just I I often ask I said, "Man, I. wonder what how many yards he would have. had had he not missed the entire second. quarter.". >> Yeah. >> Because he had 157 in three quarters, right? >> He might have been He might have broke. Timmy Smith's record. >> No, no question. No question. He cuz he.

was and that's the thing is and I. remember too Green Bay put the extra guy. they put down was a D line. >> Yes. >> Right. And and so our guys up front, Nan, Threth Zimmerman, Habib and Tony. Jones, I mean they just they absolutely. wore them out. >> Did you get sacked that game? I don't. think you guys got. >> uh I don't think so. I don't think so. We didn't throw We threw it like 23 24. times, right? But. >> no, they just wore them out. I remember. Gilbert Brown. >> big gripper big gripper on one knee. Oh, he go to sideline. Look at it.

>> I know. I remember that game, too. I. remember late in the game it's like. we're going in to score our last. touchdown. >> Yes. >> And Green Bay had called timeout and I. went to the sideline and I said. >> because we're on the one yard line so. they had a couple time timeouts left. I. so I went and I said I said Mike let me. let me nose dive. Let me sneak it to the. half yard line. Make them use another. timeout cuz they're not going to stop. us. Right. >> Right. >> Mhm. >> And then C I don't think we got to do. that. We got to score the points. But.

you know then that's when the one they. just. >> they talking about well we let him. score. Y'all hadn't stopped him all day. >> They [laughter] know they they did let. us score. They all just they want they. wanted the ball back. >> They wanted the ball back cuz it just. open like I like damn we did a great job. on that one. [laughter]. >> And you see uh Eugene Robinson, he comes. down. He basically two hands touching. like, "Okay, they get the ball back.". And then I remember uh uh Greg Robinson, rest your soul. He's like uh uh Mike, what do you how how do you want to call. it? And Mike was telling him like just. just do what you always done. Greg was a. pressure guy.

>> Greg loved to bring pressure. And I. remember the the uh the last call and. he's on the sideline. Bomb, blow it up. >> Fourth and 10. [laughter]. >> Blow it up. >> Oh yeah. And that's when cuz at we lost. Steve Atwater. >> Steve Well, Steve knocked out like he. knocked out their guys and one of my. guys at that point. >> They knocked out Randy. >> Randy here and Robert Brooks and. himself. >> Yeah. >> Croc had pulled his hamstring. So he's. out, >> right? >> So we're down three DBs in the. secondary, >> right? >> And so I was like, "Oh Lord." And then. when I saw Greg on the sideline telling.

blow it up, I said, "Oh, man.". >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And they and uh I was like, man, it it. seemed like in slow motion. It was just. I mean like I'm looking. Okay, he's. back. He throws the ball. I'm tracking. the ball. And I was like, m pick he but. he been dropping them all [laughter] all. year. So I'm I'm not surprised. I don't. know why I thought he was going to catch. it. And then I realized it's like and we. just erupt and we're standing next to. each other. It's like we running onto. the field, man. >> Oh yeah. That is the greatest feeling. >> That was that is the greatest feeling.

>> That was. >> the greatest win I ever had by far. The. [laughter] fact that it raced so many of. those other things, but it was just uh. yeah, I can still remember the feeling. and it it's just. >> in the second hard it was hard to. believe. It took us it probably took me. three days or a week to really figure. out that we we're world champions, but. uh it was. >> and then we get back that parade and we. see a million fans out there. It's like. >> Yeah. >> It was unbelievable. >> Special time. But, you know, the year. before, like you said, we're 13 and. three. I mean, we're cruising. We're. crushing everybody. I mean, the game the.

last game you uh you didn't play, I. didn't play, TD didn't play, we played. the Chargers. We had everything sewn up. and Mike like, "Hey, we just going to. take this time. Don't even worry about. it." Blah, blah, blah. And then we get. Jags. They had just been a team. They. just came into the league in 95. Like, oh yeah, we got the bums. >> Yeah. >> And we got out to I remember we got out. to a 12 nothing lead. We go for two. >> You split out, split out, wide left. We. throw the slant and I don't open up far. enough and I was like damn. So it's 12. nothing instead of 14 nothing and then.

the next. three quarters. it was like a dream. It was like a. nightmare. >> Yeah. >> I mean everything we got a shallow we. got the perfect play call on the shallow. cross. I mean the guy gets picked you. throw it and in the process of me. pulling it in I punch it out with my. knee. [clears throat]. >> Yeah. It was one of those days right? I. mean, you have those days and and. Brenell and the Jags played pretty good. They played really well. Brunell threw. the ball really well and put it on. target. So, >> that though I think was what led to the. next two years of that incentive knowing.

how bad that one hurt, >> you know, because I'm looking at it too. is like those Super Bowls were bad. That. one was just as bad, too. >> Yes. >> Because I'm in my I was in my 14th year. that year, right? And I I mean that that. that window. So, you know, that was as big of, you. know, a toughest loss as, you know, I. had had counting the Super Bowls. And. so, what do you think it, you know, it. set up the next two years for us. incentive wise, you know, and us. thinking about how good we were and. start concentrating like you just said, we got these bombs, right? that that's.

when it turned it around and we just. started concentrating on how well we. were going to play, concentrate on our. standards, what we had to play and how. we had to play and and uh you know so. that's you know I still believe that you. got to have those tough ones that they. so you don't forget that hurt that bad. you don't forget them and it led us to. those next two years. >> What do you think we did wrong? >> The Jacksonville game. >> Yeah. >> You know I don't I think you just have. those days and I you know it's it's been. a while since I've seen the film on the. game but. >> I ain't never seen it. I don't want to. see it. Yeah, you know, but you know, I.

think it's just one of those things and. that's why you got to be ready, especially in the NFL. Anybody can beat. anybody on a given day. >> I think that's matter if you're home. field, you get comfortable being home. field and you know, so you know, and we. had, we had taken a week off, right, like you said. >> Y, >> you know, and I think, you know, you. take that week off, your mind relaxes a. little bit when you, you know, when. you're in the season, it's like by. weeks. When you're in the season, you. can't I could never get away. I never. want to go on a vacation because I knew. if you unload at all, >> it's twice as hard to get it back. and. it takes you a couple weeks to get back.

And so I think that, you know, we might. unload a little bit there. Weren't quite. as sharp as we needed to be. And you. know, and they played well. >> They played they played, you know, >> and it's kind of like last week with the. Broncos. And u. >> I mean, you look at the numbers. Jacksonville just played unbelievable. >> They played really good. >> They they they sacked them five times. Uh uh uh Bo Knicks. I mean, the numbers. might be a little distorted, but. Jacksonville played extremely well. offensively every time. you know, we. come with a blitz and then they throw. the swing out to the back to 18 at the. the backside and then run it down the.

field. >> You know, we missed a couple tackles, some pitches, you know, which which. those, you know, and it's funny and. we've [clears throat] talked about this. before. >> You look at an NFL game, there's five. plays that make a difference. >> Yep. >> Right. >> Absolutely. >> There's five plays that make a. difference because everybody's so close. and you can always look at those. You. don't know if that play one plays in the. first quarter, second quarter, >> but there's five plays that made a. difference. and those five plays last. week with the Broncos and the Jags. The. Jags made those five plays and that's. why they end up winning the football. game. >> You win that Super Bowl in 32. the. agilation. I I I don't know if I've ever.

and I had I had at that point in time I. had been around you long as a player. long well Atwater had but me and Atwater. had been around you the longest and I. don't know if I've ever seen you that. happy like okay finally I got that. monkey off our back and then there was a. decision okay you coming back in the. process of coming back did you know at. the that season 16 that that was going. to be your last year? I had a pretty. good idea, you know, and I think that. uh, you know, at 95 people were more. more people talked about me coming back.

than me really thinking I wasn't coming. back, right? I was planning on coming. back. I was still healthy, had a good. year that year and, you know, didn't get. banged up. The thing about in 98. >> was, you know, I fell on the ball in in. uh, Cincinnati down on the one yard. line. It jumped on top of me and it. popped a rib cartilage, you know, and so. I came out the next week. I tried to. play the next week against the Chargers. Bubby started the game and I was in. there getting shot up trying to figure. out if I could and I'll never forget. So.

then I come back in the second series. It's third and seven. >> and we bust we busted. a scheme blocking scheme. junior sale. because untouched hits me right here and. I'm just like, [laughter]. you know, and then I pulled the. hamstring against Dallas. I miss a. couple games, two or three games there. >> And so it was just I knew the body was. breaking down a little bit. So after the. 98 season, I kind of knew. >> and especially the way it finished and. then it was almost like even I was like.

this is too weird that we're playing Dan. in a Super Bowl. Right. >> Right. that how this comes full circle. and everything that came about is that. you know is God telling me something? Yeah. Right. Number one. And number two. is my greatest fear was I didn't want to. play. Never wanted to play a Super Bowl. in the rain. >> Right. Y. >> never wanted to play in the rain. And so. that whole week I'm in my room watching. the weather channel. I watch the weather. channel. Y. >> the whole week it was 50/50 whether it's. going to rain or not. Yep. And so we, you know, we get out, we win the game.

and do the celebr trophy comes and get. the trophy and it isn't 10 minutes later. and. >> we get in the locker room and it opens. >> It just opens up. I'm like going, "Guys, tell me something. [laughter]. >> God, tell me something." But I, you. know, it was just, >> you know, for me to to have to have such. fond memories and, you know, Yeah. And. if I hadn't, I don't think if my body. had reacted better the year before where. I wasn't hurt all the time. >> or missed the four games that I missed. that, you know, I would have probably. come back, but I was like, "Yeah, I.

don't want to I I didn't want to go out. I want to go out on top. I didn't want. to go down, you know, this way, you. know, so it was it was the right time.". And. >> and remember in 97 we're in Mexico City. and you tear your bicep. >> Yeah. >> And I remember coming over there. I. remember looking at it like John to it. started like John Torres bicep to bicep. like damn he gonna miss some time and I. remember going over there looking and I. was like you you folded your arm up. I. was like that's the first time you ever. had deposition of [laughter] your bicep. >> You looked at you looked at me like I.

tore my bicep. You cracking jokes. [laughter]. >> And so that's like but I guess a couple. I guess like you didn't tear it all the. way off the bone because it's like you. didn't miss any time. >> Well I tore the I tore the outside. right. the inside. If you tear the. inside is a one. Now. >> I tore the outside one and people never. knew and I'd had I'd had a couple years. I'd had some tenonitis, >> right? >> You know, so it was hard to get loose. and it was sore because of all the. throws and. >> and so I tore the outside and so that's. when it rolled up and bundled up. >> Yeah. >> And I was like,

>> you know, and that was the first week, first preseason game that went down. there. So. >> they said they really didn't know. Greek. really didn't know. The doctors didn't. know cuz they'd never really seen it. with a thrower, right? >> With a football player. I guess that's a. baseball injury or something, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. And so they said, "Well, we're going to wait 7 10 days." And so, you know, got treatment on it for the, you know, next 10 days. And when I came. back out, I was like a new I was like a. new hungry. It was like, >> I was like, man, he done fooled us. The. tenonitis, >> he just wanted days off. >> He wanted days. That's what that was.

[laughter]. >> But it was like the tenonitis was gone. Everything was gone. And so, you know, I. just I just had a bigger bicep than you. did. [laughter]. Do you think if you had come back, if. Mike had done a great job and come back, do you think we could have three. repeated? You think we could have made. it back to the playoffs and and rolled a. dice? That didn't interest you? >> Yeah, that did. I I wasn't sure we could. do that. I I had looked at the schedule. >> Yeah. [laughter]. you know, and so I mean I think that. yeah, we probably we had a good enough. football team that we could have and the. mindset was good enough and uh.

>> so yeah I think we could have but it was. like I said get back to the on the. personal side and the physical side. whether you know I don't I'd be able to. hold up. >> what went into the decision you make the. decision um you're like God has showed. me something I'm coming full circle my. first NFL coach I played him in the. Super Bowl I hated playing in the rain. and definitely didn't want to play a. Super Bowl in the And 10 minutes after I. get this trophy, we get off that. stadium, the heavens open up. And so now.

you got to make a decision. How long did it take you to come to that. decision that you know what? This is it. >> You know what? I I wanted to really take. my time, >> right? I wanted to take the time cuz I. didn't want to say, "Okay, you know, you. got to get away from the game. You got. to get away. You obviously we're at a. high winning the Super Bowl and and so. to me, I had to get away from it to be. able to make a sound decision on what. was right or wrong. I wanted to see how. I cuz I felt great at the time winning a. Super Bowl. I want to see how I felt. about the same things I was thinking 3 4. months later.

>> Right. >> So I you know so uh I I just took the. time you know and I you know I think. Shannon um the other thing is it was. getting tougher to play in cold weather. >> Yes. >> Yeah. You know. >> that's what I tell people about. >> it's tougher [clears throat] getting. playing in the cold weather and and then. all the other stuff right the media. stuff and all that kind of stuff. I've. been doing it for so long. is like, "Do. you want to come, you know, and I. despise it that [laughter]. I was like, you want you really want to. come back and do that, you know, and you. know, you can spend more time with the. kids and boom, boom, boom." So all those.

things were factors. >> um to where I said plus you know to be. able to write off on the sunset think. back you know your last game was you. know Super Bowl and two Super Bowl. that's two years. MVP have great memories and you know to. where I didn't want to I didn't want a. clunker thrown in there at the end if I. couldn't you know physically I couldn't. handle anymore so that's why I think it. was it was the best decision. >> right I remember uh you know John's. going to retire hearing that but you. postponed it because you were supposed.

to do it and Coline happened so you had. to postpone it a month. Yeah. >> And then you know we we came out there. and you know I I remember like. >> damn [laughter]. I know I you know and I didn't want to I. didn't want to retire. I I wanted this. thing to be 27. [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Cuz it was so much fun. But yeah it was. just a you know and I there's you know. and I talked to my dad a lot. He was. always a good sounding board and you. know cuz I cuz you know as players. Shannon we're the last ones to know that. we're not as good as we are.

>> Absolutely. >> Right. We always think that this is what. our confidence is what made us who we. are. >> Right. Not at the talent too but the. confidence of what we had. >> is really what made us what we were and. the players that we were. And so that's. why I always wanted to bounce it off my. dad to say okay am I am I seeing the. same thing? You know, cuz I asked him. after 97, I said the same thing. He. goes, "John, >> you haven't lost a step. D, you can. still play." Boom, boom, boom. You know, and plus the offense was so friendly. with Terrell and behind me and the.

offense and playing for Mike was great. So, you know, that's what made it so. tough. But it was, you know, 98 it was. more physical than anything weather I. could take the whole year. And I mean, I. could now, right? >> Oh, yeah. But I think the thing, you. know what the biggest thing is, John, as. we get older, and this is, and and I. never talked to you about this, >> is that we just can't do it with the. regularity we once could when we were. younger. >> Yeah. >> I could put together 100 yards, 100. yards. I remember, you know, we played. we played uh the Chargers here. I go 13. for 153, three touchdowns, player of the.

week, come back against Baltimore, 9 for. 161, and another 100. I could do that. As I got older, 100, then you get a 40, you get 30, you get 25. the consistency. level is. >> you can't do it with the consistency and. you like damn I'm still in my mind I'm. still I still see the same thing I'm. still YOLKED UP MY WAGON. >> you just can't do it. >> yeah yeah just. >> and you're the you're the you're the I. remember watching myself run. >> you're the first one to know you would. have never got to where that was anyway. right because you didn't have the. confidence level to believe that you.

could still play right cuz that's what. you know that drove us. >> drove and then I remember watching. myself at practice one time it it was. cold and we was I was like damn that guy. moving Oh, that's me. [laughter] That's. me, boo. Oh, no. Yeah. Yeah. It's time. It's time to go. It's time to go to the. house. I sure hope something else opens. up. >> But you see, Tom played. >> till he 43. Philip Rivers after 5 years. >> Yeah. Yeah. That was pretty amazing. I. watched him play last night. I didn't. see him the first one. I watched it last. night. >> He played pretty good. He played really.

good. You know, look, he's never been a. mobile guy. He's never going to be. mobile. So, if he wasn't mobile in his. 20s, what makes you think he's going to. be mobile? >> He's not going to be mobile. And that's. why I think he was able to come back cuz. he he never used mobility as his, >> you know, it' been tougher for a guy. that used his mobility to come back. after 5 years cuz he's not going to be. able to move around like he could. But. Philip was a pocket guy as was Tom, right? Yes. >> So I think that's what extended their. careers too is the fact that they were. never the mobile guys and so they just. had to stay in the pocket and get. protected and they still could throw the. ball and and so you know and plus the. rules are so different now.

>> They're different. You can't attack the. quarterback. No, >> all that you can't drop your weight on. the quarterback. They live to drop their. weight on the quarterback. Kristen, that. used to be the worst cuz everybody asks. me, they always say, "Okay, John, who. hit you the hardest?" Right? I'm like, "The ground when they land on me and I. hit the ground, that's what hurt the. most." And right, so they take, you. know, they take that one out, which, you. know, protecting quarterbacks, trying to. keep them upright is, you know, good for. the game. >> It's just it's just changed from when we. played there. I mean, back in the day, >> they. >> there was nothing off limits. They could. hit you anywhere. >> They tried to get us out of the game.

>> Yes. Right. >> That was the whole thing to knock the. quarterback. >> because that was that gave you an. advantage. Absolutely. He gave you a. team your team an advantage if the their. starting quarterback was out. Yes. If we. can get them out, we got a better chance. to win. >> You're the exact John Elway. The same. abilities. You you're mobile as you are. You had the arm strength. You played in. the 80s and 90s. Let's just say you you. came in in the the 2000s or the 2010s. Could you have played more than 16s? >> Uh I think so. I think so. >> With the rules the way they are now. >> With the rules now. Yeah, I think so.

you know, but you know, again, I in the. right situation now, I'd love to play. for Mike again, but I think that offense. >> because you see Kyle what Kylie is doing. with. >> I know he's I think he's Kyle is the. best offensive coordinator in the league. now too, right? I mean, what he does and. >> you know and that and that offense is so. quarterback fairly because everything is. built off the running game which is. makes it so much easier and then play. action you stand back there with. >> you know you got five yards you can see. the whole field and all that. So, you. know, it would have depended on, you. know, >> this right situation.

>> Yeah. The situation in the offense, but. >> but you look at all these guys now. You. look at Kyle, you look at Shawn McVey, you look at Andy Reed, all those those. West Coast product that came out of that. West Coast Prodigy. You look at their. quarterbacks. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> They're they're lighting it up. Uh. >> Yeah. >> What rule do you wish that in the 80s. and 90s you were there that they have. now for the quarterback was instituted. back then? >> That you can't hit him low. can't hit. the quarterback low, right? Because now. because when you're a quarterback and. you're in the pocket, you and now all of. a sudden you're throwing a f, you know,

I'm throwing you on a on a post route, right? >> All my weight's on that front foot. Yep. >> Right. And so that's that's the most. vulnerable. Your left leg is the most. vulnerable. And so when those guys. falling off, you know, when they're. falling off blocks, a lot of times. they're hitting you low, right? >> You know, you're worried about that. So. it makes you, you know, you're more. conscious of your legs. >> And it it makes you not as accurate as. you should be because you're, you know, now you want to get the weight off that. leg so it's not stuck in the ground when. they hit it. 300 lb and then. >> you know crest the crest the knee and so. to me if they took that if the below the.

hit rate. on quarterbacks to me it would have been. much better. >> cuz they they didn't change the rule. that's the Brady rule. >> because Brady remember Brady in 2008. when he got hit. >> because if you remember in 99 the exact. same thing happened to Trent Green. Rodney Harrison hit Trent Green and put. him out. That's how Kurt Warner got his. start. They end up winning the Super. Bowl. But it wasn't until Brady when uh. uh I think Bernie Per did it. Hit him in. his knee and they change the next year. they changed it. >> Yeah. >> And and now you got all these rules,

defenses, receivers, the incidental. contact. If if you weren't looking at me. and I'm on the backside, they're not. throwing a flag. >> Cuz they would tell you, well, he's not. looking at you. You know why? Cuz he's. holding me. He can see they holding me. That's why he's not looking. >> Right. Right. >> But now they just have these rules now. I just I look in amazement, John. I was. like, how these guys just be running. Scott ass free? >> I know. You know, and the thing is it's. like uh you know, the other thing too is. what I you know, they've done a good job. with it. You know, you always they. always go Yeah. Know, I can't stand that. the quarter get quarterback gets hit in. the head. >> He looks with.

>> with a hand. >> Yeah. >> It's a penalty. I'm like, why does he. have a helmet on? [laughter]. >> Right. I mean, I I'm still a. quarterback, but I still, you know, cuz. I remember when I was coming in the. league, uh Jack Lambert said, "We need. to put skirts on quarterbacks." Yes. You. remember they said that back in the. early 80s. Jack Lambert's going, "Put a. skirt on." I'm like, I'm one of these. guys. I get hit all the time, too. Not. not as much as they get hit, right? So, I always wanted quarterbacks to have. the, you know, toughness, a little bit. of the toughness and those type of. things. And, >> you know, they just, they've taken it to.

another level with the way it is now. But, you know, >> and it changes the game. >> It does. >> It changes games. And people don't. realize a 15 yarder, if a guy goes up to. block a pass, comes down and glances the. quarterback's helmet. I and I I don't. remember any. >> quarterbacks getting going to the tent. after they've got hit with a hand. >> for concussion for concussion. >> pro. No, it was no. >> Well, I they I don't even know if they. use the term concussion. They just say. you got your bell rung and you got Dean. >> Oh, yeah. >> And so, you know, >> Oh, yeah. >> I was just watching something on Pat.

Mcelli. Pat Mcelli got knocked. He was. the pointer and a and a receiver for the. Bengals. He ended up getting knocked out. of the game. He laid motionless for 10. minutes. They carded him off and he ends. up coming in catching the game with a. touchdown. [laughter]. I LIKE THERE IS NO WAY THEY WOULD ALLOW. THAT TO HAPPEN NOW. >> I said, I've never seen anything like. this happened before in my life. >> I know. Yeah. >> What was your welcome to the NFL moment. where you like, okay, this is definitely. different than college. >> Uh, it was actually my third game of the. year. Third game my rookie year. Okay.

>> And we're playing here. We're playing. the Eagles. [laughter]. I took off scrambling and I was coming. down the this this right side and d I. saw the safety coming. I think, okay, well, I'm going to think I'm going out. of bounds. I'm going to give him a. little little head knob and cut her back. inside. And he took his forehand and hit. me across the head and my helmet came. [laughter]. I said, "Okay, I got it. I won't do that. again." [laughter]. >> Was that the hardest hit you uh suffered. in your career? >> Um, no. It was against Pittsburgh here.

again and I tried to go over a little. and I can't remember the the players but. there was it was a DB and so I was I. tried to jump over him and he caught me. just right and he got me upside down and. then the safety come and got me right in. the back and I actually thought I was. dead on that. [laughter]. I couldn't breathe. And as you know, when you get the wind knocked out, right, you never. >> It scares you, boy. >> Well, yeah. You're never gonna take. another breath in your life, right? You. can't get air in or out. You're stand. And so, you never think, but that's the.

hardest one. I can't remember the. player's name, so it was here. And I and. I tried to jump over and he caught me. And then I got hit in the back and bent. me backwards. And so, yeah. >> What was what was the worst injury? Because people don't know this, but you. played your entire NFL career without an. ACL, >> right? When I did that in high school, my senior year in high school, and then. I braced it up, started bracing it up my. second year here when Greek, we were in. preeason, I was I ran for a first down. and I didn't get it and I stomped and my. knee shifted. >> Yeah. >> And that's when Greek looked at me. He. goes, "You're wearing a brace the rest.

of the time." I said, "Okay." So, I put. a brace on it. So, that really never. that was the worst injury, but once I. put the brace on it, I didn't have any. problems with it. >> Uh, but after that, I never really had I. hurt shoulders, pulled hamstrings, and. this and that. I think the most games I. missed in a row was maybe two or three. So I never then I'd had surgeries but. they were really all after the surgery. So. >> did you practice with the brace? I don't. know if you practice with the brace. >> I did I didn't later. Yeah later later I. did but then uh but for the most part no. I didn't I didn't wear in practice. either. [laughter]. >> I was just I was just thinking about.

that the um the bicep injury. I I don't. know. I was thinking about that on on. the way up here where you was on the. sideline and I was looking you you b. your arm. [laughter]. But but did the receivers ever tell you? Cuz I know cuz I remember when I first. got here, they were real stingy with the. gloves. And and people ask me like, "You. wore gloves in the game when you warmed. up, you caught bare-handed." I said, "Because I caught the ball from John my. rookie year." He split my gloves and. they wouldn't give me anymore.

[laughter] So So. I said I said, "So no more." So, I just. caught the ball bare-handed uh in. warm-ups and then I put the gloves on in. the game because but I could tell though. cuz in the warm-ups you really getting. to go. I was like, "Okay, you know, you. do it like this. You do a little soft. toss and then next thing you know you're. like like bro, [laughter]. >> there no there no DB. There's nobody. You got to fit it into a tight window.". >> Did you realize how hard you were. throwing the football? >> Uh, no. I I No, I don't think so. I.

mean, obviously I know and I, you know, hardest thing you threw was a screen. pass. It was hard for me to let up on. the ball sometimes, right? But, >> you know, I always, I threw it hard. because it was like. >> the windows were, especially in the NFL, the windows get there quicker, right? And I always thought the quicker I get. it for them, the quicker to you, >> the more I could do something with it, >> the more you could protect yourself, number one, and number two, do something. more with it after the kick, right? So, you know, I think the older I got it, you know, I I I calmed down a little bit. with it. Got had a little bit more touch. with it, you know, and just natural than.

the arm strength wouldn't there. But, >> um, I know, you know, it's just. something that naturally the way I threw. it and, you know, and I I look at it. today, too, is like, you know, you look. at all the quick screens and everything. that they're throwing and how much more. different work they do on those type. throws that we never I never worked on. No. >> Just because we didn't throw those. balls, right? And if we had, I think I'd. have been a lot quicker, you know, a lot. shorter releases and those type things. where you just flicking it and getting. it out there that I probably would have. become a better thrower if we were.

throwing those. >> But nobody was throwing those back. >> We weren't throwing those, right? Or we. we throw a hitch maybe right on the line. to stop right on the, you know, five. yard, six yard or I can't remember what. we call it when you just turn around. I. got it to you on the smoke. >> Smoke. Yeah. >> So, >> u but other than that, we didn't have, you know, then just the screen passes, but everything else mostly was. >> down the field. >> Was down the field. So, never worked on. it in practice and those type things. So, >> when when um you threw that ball on the. drive to Ricky that do you think that's. the hardest? >> Uh uh not Ricky, that was Mark Jackson.

Do you think that's the hardest you've. ever thrown thrown a ball? >> Yeah. Yeah. And it was like because the. thing is, you know, it was a rub route, right? And we we had. >> usually it was to Gerald Gerald Wilhhat. was in the flat, Mark was coming in on. the slam, >> right? And usually the outside backer. comes and so I was planning on hitting. the shoot run, right? >> And I saw the outside backer drop off. And so then I knew I was going to mark. inside, but I'm like, "All right, well, I can't It's always hard. >> when you're looking left. It's always. hard to see people coming from the right. side." Correct.

>> And Mark was coming this way. Right. >> Right. So I couldn't I I'm like, "All. right, it's third down. Last or second. down. I'm last last thing I'm going to. do is throw a pick down here." Right. So, I'm going I'm throwing this I'm. throwing as hard as I can cuz if Mark. ain't catching it, nobody nobody. catching it. But it was low cuz he had. to go down and dig it out. And you know, that's the thing cuz if you down there, if you if that ball pops up, it's. getting picked because everybody is so. congested in there, it's not going to. hit the ground. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah. And the thing is, I mean, >> the D lineman, I mean, if Mr. D. lineman's hand like that. I mean, it's.

it's amazing. And you know this in. football, >> it's inches. >> This inches, right? I mean, even on the. third and 17 to Mark Jackson, >> we put I put Stephen Watson in in motion. and it hits him. >> The ball hit him on the hip. >> Hit him on the hip. And if he's another. inch back, that ball's going straight. down, right? So, >> you know, look, especially looking back, those little things that happen games. that are so important that change. outcomes and and you know, you got to. have a little luck. Did you have a. favorite play?

>> Uh, [sighs] I don't think so. Not that I. can remember. You know, I I the one. thing I like I like always like running. the quarterback draw. [laughter]. >> Oh yeah. When you go back, you go back. and you think they go you go they go. you're going to pass the ball and then. you just run it to the. >> Yeah. You know, and it was a designed. quarterback draw. So that was that was. always. >> I always enjoyed doing that, but pass. plays it's hard for me to I know I. always I was superstitious. We already. ran we always ran 22ZN first play of. warm-ups. >> Yeah. Right. >> We got you got the short cross. [laughter]. >> wide rod.

>> You got the Z. But that was like that. was the first play my whole career. Yeah. When sent oil when Mike got back. So that was. >> so it was script. You got Z in you run. stick [laughter]. >> then you run a basic then you run a. flank of drive you got basic. >> Exactly. >> Um when we ran I think it was was it. Seattle that uh in the Super Bowl. because we were supposed to all we. supposed to run uh uh returns. So we go. down three steps in and then return. And. I remember you're like, "Well, well, Mike, what happens if they don't play.

this coverage?" You like 100% of the. time they play this coverage. >> Oh, no, no, no. That's That's Green Bay, right? >> Yeah. In Green Bay Super Bowl. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's on. the third and six. >> Yes. >> Right. That where they call it the. helicopter, right? So, it's like I. remember talking like. >> And we ran it three times practice and. you got it. >> I called it every Yeah. >> IT WAS LIKE IT WAS LIKE I didn't I still. didn't like it even though cuz it wasn't. like an easy throw. >> It wasn't. >> No. And I had to go over somebody or. whatnot and you know down there I hate. doing this. >> Yeah. >> And so there was something I didn't like.

about it [laughter]. >> and I kept telling that even though you. caught it every time it just it it. wasn't open enough for me to feel. comfortable with it. And so that's when. I went to Mike and I said, "Mike, I. really don't like this plan." And he. goes, "John, I I that's when I said, like you said, what if we don't get this. coverage, John? It's 100% this. formation, >> this coverage, we'll get this cover. It'll be 100% of the time." I said, "All. right." And so then I said, "Well, I. still don't like him, Mike. [laughter].

>> He called me.". >> And so it's third six and here it comes. It's uh And I'm gonna remember the name. I can't remember the name. Here it. comes. I'm like, "Okay, here." Sure. enough, >> was it prior? They I think it was uh. Eugene Wilson. Uh um but they brought a. different they brought another safety in. a white guy. What's I forget his name. I. think he was at Indie at one point in. time. I think it was Prior. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Cuz he because you knew if you slide,

they're going to mark you where you. start to slide. And so you they thought. you was going to slide. So they came in. like this and you go up over the top and. they split they splint you around and. you got you you're like, >> "I'm okay. I'M OKAY. [screaming] I'M. OKAY. WELL, I WAS LIKE, you know, the. thing is it was like I I got outside and. I looked for the first down. I was still. trying to find you guys down there and. see if you guys could find a scene. I. went in there and that's when I turned. it up and I knew. >> I looked at the first down and here they. come and there's. >> and I'm like, "All right, they think I'm. going to just go down." I said, "All. right, the only way I can get I put the.

old 6-in vertical on [laughter]. >> and go over the top, you know, but the. thing is it discombobulated me.". >> Yes. >> Right. And I was like and and it did. kind of hurt my ribs too. But that the. the uh adrenaline was going crazy, right? And so I remember and I and I. kind of get up as I get up and I'm kind. of it looks funny me getting up and I'm. a little discombobulated. Then I looked. at our sideline. Yeah. >> And our sideline was going and I'm like, >> "Yeah, yeah. I'm okay." [laughter].

>> That's exactly. He's like, "YEAH, I'M. I'M ALL RIGHT. I'M ALL RIGHT. [laughter]. I'M OKAY. I DID THIS." YEAH, WE GOT THE. PERSON. >> What was it about the comeback that made. you so great at it? I remember the first. time we were playing Kansas City and. we're down like. >> 196. >> Yes. We got five minutes and I remember. uh uh Vance Johnson and say, "Oh, man. We good. Good. Bro, we losing." AND. KANSAS CITY GOT THE BALL. WHAT YOU MEAN.

WE GOOD? He said, "Nah, nah. Seven.". Hey, you ain't never heard of Mile Half. Magic. I was like, "Nah, I ain't seen. none either." Yeah. And the next thing I. know, we score a touchdown, they stop. him, and we get the ball back with less. than two minutes, and you throw a a. touchdown to Mark to Vance in the south. end zone, and we win. >> Yeah, that's right. >> That was really like the first time that. I like [laughter]. It's incredible. >> You know what, Shannon, I think the key. thing is we've done it a couple times. >> Yes. And I think the key is, you know,

and I they give me too much of the. credit because I believe everybody like. you just said, Mark Jackson says, "You. haven't heard of Mile High Magic?" We. all believed it. >> They did. We did. We did. I started. >> and we all believed it. Right. Right. >> Yes. >> Right. You learned it. >> I did. I did. >> Right. And so that's when, you know, it. was a team thing. The fact that. everybody knew that, hey, listen, it's. time to go. We we running out of. chances. And so, >> you know, it was just a matter. Plus, you know, >> Dan opened it up a little bit more too. at that time, right? So, you run around. and you, you know, you're not as.

because, as you know, playing for Dan, it was more conservative. >> early and don't make mistakes and, >> you know, so, but finally the game. opened up and it was a matter we had a. bunch of playmakers, you know, Mark and. Vance and Ricky Natalie and so, >> you know, and the offensive line. believed it. So I think that that was. the key thing is that we started doing. it and it was contagious and everybody. knew that okay they got excited about. the opportunity to say hey listen we get. a chance to prove it again. >> Right. >> So I think that was the key. >> Was it the drive that gave you the.

confidence that like you know what I. belong in the NFL. I'm that guy because. you're on the two yard line. >> It's either now or never. >> Yeah that you know what Shannon that. kind of legitimized me for the first. time. You know especially my first year. I struggled the first year. Second. second year I was better. We, you know, we were 13 and three, had the home field. advantage, wrapped up, got beat in the. first round. >> Yeah. >> You know, and then we had a good third. year. So, this was my fourth year and. we'd had a good year then and then so, you know, that was kind of my coming out. party. It was my it legitimized me to be. able to do that, go 98.

>> in, you know, on the road in the AFC. Championship circumstances and all that. stuff that. >> I think it kind of it put me on the map. And so, that was the one that kind of. put me on the map. And then, you know, from there it was, you know, went a. couple Super Bowls, you know, went Super. Bowl that year and had a good first. half. We didn't play well the second. half, but. >> and that was I mean, 15 plays, 98 yard, you overcame a third and 18. The play. that you mentioned to uh to Mark, uh he. he sh he caught it and he had to like.

back up and then get skinny and to get. the first down, the ball hit uh uh Steve. on the hip. Yeah. So, there's a lot. going a lot going on there. >> Yeah, there was. And you know that's. another thing about football too. It's. like cuz when we we're sitting there on. the 2 yard there's a TV timeout. >> Yeah. >> And we're all standing around. I mean it. was cold too. It was like in Cleveland. if it's 15 it was cold. You know it. rained and snowed the whole night. before. So you know the field was muddy. and. >> and so we're standing there in the in. the huddle and we're all just sitting. there and you know all I was thinking.

was all right we got to get some. breathing room. Right. >> Right. We still had all our timeouts. There's five minutes to go in a game. So. it's like all right if we get some. breathing room you know it's not a do or. die situation just yet that but if we. get some breathing room then we can that. was. >> start taking start taking some chances. >> and so we just kept nitpicking and then. you know I threw a a post to SU coming. out of the back that was kind of the. first big play that got us down the. field and the funny thing is yeah as you. and we've been there before. >> as you start moving the ball it gets. quieter and quieter and quieter and you.

can feel you can just feel the momentum. swift shift and then as we kept moving. And then our we guys we went like this. and they went like that, right? Mentally. and and so and then we were able to make. some plays and get it down there and get. the touchdown. So, you know, a lot of. people forget too, you know, >> that was just to get it into overtime, right? >> Right. But overtime, we had them in over. because they were shocked. >> They were shocked. >> They were they were shocked because. we're in overtime and then, you know, we're able to continue the momentum that. we had in that last drive because we.

hadn't done a whole lot. They were. really [clears throat] good on defense. >> Yes. you know, and solid and so we. hadn't done a whole lot offensively the. whole game and so but those last two. drives we got it when we started getting. that confidence and they were down dumps. that we were able to win it. >> Was that the first time because you seem. to have Marty's number because uh rest. so Marty Marty Shottenheimer was the. head coach in Cleveland and then he goes. to Kansas City and there are so many. times that we we got him uh 98 we start. the season u we are we are 12-0 and we. we played I mean I think if that's your.

last 400 yard game too. Um they would. they got a box I have never seen a. boxing one. Who plays a boxing one in. football? I got a man they play zone. everywhere else and you know you throw. me the ball you like you got to keep I'M. LIKE BRO YOU SEE THAT GUY STANDING OVER. THERE BUT YEAH but you got a guy. trailing you. I'm like [laughter]. >> so. >> well you know what the thing yeah there. there is something with Marty right. because the next year so that was 86 in. Cleveland 87 they come here in the AFC. championship game. That's when Ernest. fumbled. >> Yep. >> Right. >> Yep. >> And I think you got him again in ' 89.

So then they we missed the year and then. 89 they come back here and that was that. wasn't close but we beat them good that. year but. >> yeah it was like some and then Marty. went to you know cle or uh uh Kansas. City and we beat him AC championship. game and then we have the other ones and. so yeah that was now when Montana was in. Kansas City they did get us on a Monday. night. >> They got us on a Monday night. I thought. we had him. I thought we had him. We had. but we had the guy bracketed uh Ben. Smith jumped it because we got Hun cuz. Huna inside. If he stays outside, he. picks the ball.

>> But he jumps inside and he dudes option. backs out. >> Joe hits him. And. >> yeah, >> but that was that was a lot of people. >> That was kind of the that's the one time. I only remember that we got beat late in. the game, right? >> You're right. >> So yeah, >> in college that your last year I mean. you came I think who won the Heisman. your last year. Hershel did. >> Yeah, >> because Ed it was you Ed Hershel. >> Yep. Yeah. >> Was the were the finals. You thought you. should have won it that year? >> Uh I I was second. I we were five and. six. It's hard to It's hard to get.

>> even get even getting there at five and. six. >> Yeah, exactly. >> That was Was that the cow game? >> That was A COW GAME. >> OH, COME ON. [laughter]. >> That was Yeah, that was the last game we. were supposed to go to. We were going to. We were supposed to go to the bowl game. cuz we hadn't been to a bowl game cuz we. were four and seven my junior year. Pretty good. My We were six and five or. seven and five my my sophomore year. We. never gone to a bowl game. So, if we win. that. >> cow game, which is our big riot, right? >> Then we're going to go to the Peach. Bowl. And then 4 seconds to go and the. ladder will start happening. I mean, it's. >> Could you believe it? I mean, when you.

they they talk about that. Could could. you believe that might be the wildest. finish in the history of any of any. sporting event. >> without I mean, I'm sitting on the you. know, I'm sitting on the bench going, "Okay." And I mean, I I can remember. sitting there and we're kind of having a. good time and can't believe because we. had, you know, we picked up a fourth and. 18 on or fourth and 17 from our own 13, >> right? >> To get down there to kick the field. goal, >> right? >> And so we're like, "Wow." Yeah. We got. down and done and all of a sudden I'm. looking and there here comes this wad of. people and I mean it's just like this. and I look down here the band's coming.

on the field and I'm like the hell's. going on? >> Right. >> Right. Next thing they go touchdown you. know. >> he ran on the tuba player stop the tr. the trouble. [laughter]. >> Oh yeah. So it was crazy. But I will say. this I had hoped that they were going to. overturn that for about a week. >> Yeah. >> Right. That okay they're going to see. something. Now there was no replay or. anything back then. So. >> you can't correct it. There had to be. some there had to be some illegal. laterals in there at some point. >> I think it was down twice, but it was. like that, you know, that falls on deaf. here, so it didn't really really matter. But and I saw it every I saw it every.

Thanksgiving for the last 42, 45. [laughter] years, so I can laugh about. it now. >> You come out, you're the universally. regarded number one pick in the draft. The Colts hold that. Now, if I'm not. mistaken, your favorite player growing. up was Vert Jones. Yeah, one of them. actually was well Starbucks was number. one. Bert Jones he wore number seven. >> Did you have an inkling? Did you get Did. you have an intuition that they were. going to leave Baltimore? What was it. about Baltimore that you didn't want to. play? >> You know, it was it was more the owner.

It was more the group, right? And the. thing is I I played baseball uh for the. Yankees that the summer before. >> Okay. >> And so I had I we had some leverage and. so. >> and really my dad was helping me and. Marvin Demoff, you know, your agent. So. the bottom line is to to use the. leverage to try to get to an. organization and didn't matter where it. was. >> just to get to an organization where we. felt like I had a chance to win. Baltimore was not that, you know, the. ownership, the the organization was not. in good shape, right? Hadn't been, >> you know, so we knew nothing about them.

even moving, thinking about moving the. next year. And so it was really a, you. know, the leverage with baseball to say, listen, >> try to get to a place that feel like you. have a chance and and uh, you know, you. know what we tried to do instead of. bashing Baltimore saying we're not going. there because the owner and the. ownership group and it's a bad. organization, we don't want to play for. them. We tried to make up other excuses. to try to keep it friendly with. >> and not make the organization look bad. But that ended up come back and haunt me. and you know.

>> broad say you stay on California and D. but. >> but we had the leverage and the plan was. >> to try to get moved. If it didn't if. they didn't trade the pick then I was. going to play baseball for a year right. >> and then my name would have gone back in. the draft the following year. So that. was kind of the I was not I once I made. my mind up I was not going to Baltimore. >> Yeah. Yeah. You're pretty stubborn. Even. though Baltimore think it was about the. city. It was I'd never been to the city. and it was not about the city. It was. about the organization and having a. chance to win. >> Right. So that was a conversation. So. when did you come to that conclusion? Was it you and your dad? Did you always. know that you didn't you weren't going.

to play for Baltimore or was it the. process of sitting down and talking with. your dad and Marvin's like, "Okay, what's our strategy here? I I don't want. I'm not going to play there. Where else. is there a possibility that I could. possibly play?". >> Yeah. And I think it was more that. Marvin knew the organization. My dad. knew the organization. And you knew of. Frank Kush and the coaching who was cuz. Frank Kush was at Arizona State when I. came out of high school, >> right? >> And I didn't want to take a trip there. cuz I knew his style. Nothing, you know, he was a good football coach, just not. my style. His style was didn't click. So, and my dad wasn't necessarily high.

on him either, right? So, really, it was. Marvin and my dad cuz I didn't know. anything about what organization is. good. I knew who had good records, but I. didn't know organizationally which one. was best. So they were the ones, especially Marvin knew, >> you know, organizationally. where where would be good landing spots. for me. And so, >> you know, Seattle was in it, the. Chargers were in it, New England was in. it. Um, let's see who else. Cowboys a. little bit, you know, and so I think. Danny White was there, you know, and and.

then the one that got brought up was San. Francisco. And it's like Joe Montana's. in San Francisco. San Francisco, >> right? I'm like, ah, no. I'm not. [laughter]. I'm not going [clears throat] to go, you. know, cuz evidently Walsh had said. something and I'm like, there is no way. I'm going with Joe Montana there. There's no way I'm going to. >> San Francisco. I'm not going to jump. into that. So So then Denver was in it. Yeah. >> And then Denver kind of backed out. because because Marvin had talked to. Denver and they knew my contract. demands, which was a five-year deal for.

$5 million, right? >> And uh they said, "Well, no football. player is worth that, >> right?" So. Denver kind of fell out of the picture. that the draft and so we never even. think about really thinking about San. Diego who had three first round picks. Wow. Right. >> So and I wouldn't mind g you know Don. Coro was down there. >> Right. Eric Cory. So it was a good place. to go. >> But ultimately they couldn't come to get. a deal done but I we also think. >> that I think it was Jean Klein that was. the owner at the time.

>> was using that because Fouch was a free. agent, >> right? So, I think they were using me to. draft me, >> right? To make FA sign. >> to get to get FA to sign. And so, um, and then after the draft, my dad, I. don't I don't think he ever met, did you. meet France Pzfoot with the Broncos? Anyway, he was a good friend of my dad. that worked for the Broncos was in the. scouting department with the Broncos. And that kind of got rejuvenated. And. >> then two weeks later, that's how I got. drafted or traded to Denver. >> Come to Denver. You had You ever been to. Denver? >> No. >> Did Did players take trips like they do.

now? like the P guys that potentially. first round trips. Do they take do they. take visits like they do now? >> I I never did. So, no, I I never took. any trips before the draft or anything. like that, you know. I in the combine. there was not one combine back then. There used to be regional used to have. four different teams would get together, right? So, certain teams would be in. that one, certain teams would be in that. one, certain teams would be in that one. So, >> um and I didn't go to any of the. combines. I didn't think I needed to go. to the combine. So, I didn't I didn't. >> So, you like, hey, see, hey, he been. doing Hey, he was the first one to do.

it. No, I ain't throwing. I ain't. running. I ain't doing nothing. I'm. going to be the first pick. Y'all know. what? Look at the tape. >> Right. Right. What else you going to. find out? >> Right. So, when when uh also you get a. situation where Eli Manning, he comes. out and he doesn't he doesn't want to. play for the Chargers. I don't know if. it's because he don't want to be in the. AFC with Peyton cuz Peyton's already in. the ALC. Um how to move maneuver that. and get to uh to get to Indie. Did they. come Did they talk to you? Did Archie or. any of them reach out to you? >> No. No, we never really talked to him.

So, yeah, because I would that was like. that had to be. >> 2004. >> Oh, 2004. Yeah. No, I never talked to. him about it. So, Right. Yeah. >> Never talked to him. >> And you see Shadur and and and how hard. is it for a play? I think it's probably. harder for for prime for time because. he's he's a current coach right now. Your dad's retired. Arch Archie had been. retired for so long and so it's. different to have a your dad as an. actual coach now as opposed to your dad. being retired and Archie had been. retired from the league to have a a son.

that's playing and trying to help him. navigate that path. >> Yeah. you know, I I think it's tougher. than my dad had because obviously my. dad's wasn't in there and obviously. everybody, you know, knew uh DA what a. great player he was in his day. And so, you know, that was just a unique. situation with with uh Shadur and the. fact because he was a, you know, a great. player at CU did a hell of a job there. Now, >> somehow it didn't fit somewhere. Right. Right. >> Somehow whether it would be in the, you. know, because the last thing you want in. the NFL is your backup quarterback to be.

in the doing all the media. >> Right. Correct. >> Right. So I do think that that probably. scared some organizations off saying hey. listen we can't have. >> the backup because you know. have got you know they both got up. there. So whether they you know whether. that's the issue or whatnot or you know. >> I didn't I did not study him so I don't. know. >> you know how good a quarterback he is. I. think he's a good solid backup for sure. and I think he's got to learn and and uh. >> but you know in the NFL it's like. >> you got to get rid of the football. Got.

you. >> You got to get rid of the football and. making up for sacks is, you know, >> it's hard. >> Yeah. >> I mean, it's instantaneous. You got to. process. I think he does a great job. I. don't think he has the best offensive. line. I watched it. Woo. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I [laughter]. >> Yeah. And like I said, I haven't had a. chance to watch a lot of or I saw. him a couple times play up in CCU. >> and thought he was a hell of an athlete. Made some great plays and great throws. And uh so. >> you mentioned that when you came out and. just all of a sudden you're like I'm not. I'm not going to Baltimore and Terry. Bradshaw being with these old guards.

they look whoever drafts you that's. where you go. That's how they that's how. they look at it. You don't complain. You're about to make more money than you. ever thought you'd make in your life. And here this kid, he had done nothing. in the NFL and he's trying to call the. shots. >> Yeah. >> And he was just ripping you left and. right. And then when he came to sit down. to interview you, they wouldn't even. tell it. They wouldn't tell the fans. wouldn't tell him, "Well, we're not. helping you. you bashed our quarterback. Get lost. [laughter]. Which he was lost because he needed to. know where to go. So, but. >> did you have an opportunity to talk to.

Terry? Did you guys Because at the end. of the uh your last Super Bowl, he had. he was on stage and handed you the. trophy. Yeah. >> So, was there any between that time 83. and 99? Was there any chance that you. guys had a chance to have a. conversation? >> Uh I don't recall one. You know, I since. then since I retired and later on I have. and went around Terry a little bit and I. like Terry, right? But. >> but you know, and I think that he didn't. make he didn't make it easier on me. Right. Right. >> He made it, you know, kind of rallied. supported on the other side of D. He was.

kind of the lead anti-boy guy that said, "Okay, you're you know, spoiled blonde. kid or, you know, surfer boy from go. back to California.". >> California that thinks he's going to. come in and dictate to the NFL, then go, you know, he said, "Go play baseball.". And so, you know, that's the only. reason, you know, he he didn't make. things he made things tougher for me, which, you know, we added added. incentive and so it was nice for him to. be able to give me the trophy on the. list. [laughter]. >> You mentioned that you played the. Yankees. They drafted you. You got. drafted before Tony Gwyn, correct?

>> Yeah. Yeah. I was actually I got I got. drafted before Don Manningley. >> Damn. >> Yeah. Don was the fourth round my same. year with the Yankees. I think he was. the third or fourth pick. I was I was. their first pick first pick in the. second round. Okay. And so I was shocked. too, right? Cuz they knew that chances. are I was going to play baseball. I mean. football, right? >> And so I was I was kind of shocked that. they dropped me that high. And it. actually it worked out great. Gary. Hughes who was the scout was dear, you. know, rest of soul was a was a dear.

became a dear friend. >> and you know playing B and then I went. and played baseball between my junior. and senior year and actually you know. enjoyed it. Now, it was different. because you playing baseball every. single day gave me new appreciation for. those major league baseball players that. have to play baseball. >> day in and day out and that is an. absolute grind, right, to be ready to. go. So, um, but you know, I had a I got. off to a slow start, but ended up having. a pretty good year, >> but you know, ultimately I wanted to. play football because I like playing the. quarterback position. I think it's. >> it's the hard it's the it's the best,

but but it's most gratifying, too. I. think that if you know you can survive. it. Yeah. >> Um and so but yeah, so I was. >> What about the 150k? That didn't hurt. though, did it? >> No, that didn't. [laughter]. No, that that did not hurt. I forgot. >> a college kid with 150k in his pocket. >> But I will say this, it also helped me. in school because when I was my first. two years, I was playing both and then. we'd go to spring ball. And when we were. in spring ball, I'd play baseball games. on on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

And I'd go to spring practice on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. morning. I'd go from football practice, go right to the locker room, >> take my football gear off, put my. baseball g gear on, and go play. baseball. >> Wow. >> So, that was a lot. It became too much. And so, the 150k was really good, but. also it allowed me to, you know, spend a. little more time on studies and kind of. enjoy the college life to where that. spring I the last two springs, >> um, you know, I had a chance to have. some fun at school. >> What, uh, what did you buy? Did you buy. a car? Did you buy anything? I bought a.

280 ZX [laughter]. black and gold and. >> T-tops. >> T-tops. Absolutely. >> Absolutely. So, it's funny. So, I got a. great story. So, I live in this Dell. House and it's called the Dell House. It's three stories at Stanford and. there's all a lot of football players, a. lot of athletes. D. And we So, we have. this parking lot and up tops a deck and. da da da. So, I gone down and bought. this brand. It is shiny shiny. And I'm. driving it in. And when I'm driving in, I see these dudes up on top of the the. the deck up there, right?

>> This ain't going to go good. [laughter]. >> So, there's one parking spot right below. them. And they're on the third floor, right? So, I pull in there and I'm. looking. I start looking up at them. All. of a sudden, I see all three of them. lifting something. They got this water. balloon that [laughter] is like this. big, right? I mean, it is huge. And so, all of a sudden, I see. It was free. lineman, too. And so they sit there and. they throw it over the top and I see it. coming down. I'M LIKE, "AH, it hits my. windshield. Shatters it on my brand new.

[laughter] 28.". >> Wow. >> Just shattered it. >> So those your teammates my teammates and. it just shatters. And so and I I went to. look at them. They had all gone. I went. in the house and try to find them. They're all hiding. Right. [laughter]. >> But yeah, so that's when the one thing. about the two 280 ZX first day I drove. it home, they shattered the windshield. on me. Who's giving you Mount Rushmore. of baseball or baseball players that. played in the NFL that played uh. baseball? You got Dion Bo, yourself, Mahomeboy, Brady was drafted, I think,

as a catcher to expose, Russell, Calamur, and Cap. >> Well, for sure, the two that really had. accomplished are Bo and. >> Dion. >> And Dion really, those are the only, you. know, >> actually played in MLB. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I don't know if you remember Brian. Jordan. He ended up leaving football. Oh, he was a safety for the Falcons. He. ended up leaving going play for the. Braves and the Cardinals. >> Okay, then he's got to be Yeah. But. yeah, I would say those guy, you know, Johnny Lynch played baseball, too. >> Did Oh, yeah, that's right. >> Yeah, Johnny Lynch played baseball also.

So, >> Kyler Kyler was the eighth pick in the. draft. So, but he he didn't we don't. know what he was. >> Well, you know who else? Uh Wilson. >> Russell. >> Russell. Did you mention him or No, mention. Okay. Yeah. >> Well, he was a second baseman. >> Uh I'm not sure. Okay. I'm not sure. But. >> why are baseball players so good at. football? Uh, you mean football players better at good. at baseball? >> Well, [laughter]. I don't know. I don't know about that. I. think I think the even transition is. baseball to football as opposed to. football to baseball. >> Well, I I don't How many transitions.

you've seen from baseball to football? >> Baseball to football. >> I don't think there's been a lot of. transitions from baseball to football. I. think I think here's what I think. I. think there's football players that go. to baseball because. baseball is all about the hitting. Yeah. >> Right. So, sure if if especially if. you're an outfielder, which I think all. those and you know, we all most of us. were as outfielders. [clears throat]. >> So, really the only time you spend is it. really in baseball you're hitting. So, if you can hit. >> right,

>> then chances are you're going to be able. to play the outfield. Especially if you. can run like those like Bo and Dion and. those type things, they're going to be. able to play the outfield. Whereas. there's so much more involved in the. football side, practice time. Yes, >> you can practice more by yourself and. just take get them pitching machines and. hit balls. Right. Right. And then take. some outfield. So I think there's a lot. more practice involved in football than. there is baseball. That's why I think. you see the transition more football to. baseball rather than baseball to. football. >> Probably definitely helped Mahomes is. his footwork, the arm angles because as. a as an infielder, you have to ch you.

know sometimes you're over the top, sometimes you three/4er slide and I. think that's definitely. >> And plus his dad was a baseball player. >> Yes. Right. Yes. >> Yeah. >> So I asked time. Time say the hardest. thing to do in sports is hit a baseball. >> Yeah. >> Is that the hardest thing to do? >> Yeah. Without a doubt. Especially with. these guys throwing today. >> They throwing 100. >> And they throw they throw the slide. They throw. >> I mean, you look at, you know, we watch. on TV go, "Oh, that'd be easy." Have you. ever stood in front of 100 mph fast. ball? >> I can't imagine. >> It would absolutely scare the. >> Absolutely it would. >> Oh my god. It was like.

>> he throw 100 and then come back with a. curve. It's over, >> right? Oh yeah. Especially when that. curve's coming out your head [laughter]. >> and then breaks to the middle of the to. the middle of the plate. Yeah. I mean, there's no question. Especially as as. good as these guys have gotten and all. the different pitches. I can't imagine. hitting the sinkers. I mean, I used to. see sliders, curve balls, change ups, fast balls. Now they're sinkers and. >> they got cut fast balls. They got four. seams for and all the different pitches. these guys have. It's like and it's. coming at you at 95 to 100 miles an.

hour, right? So yeah, that's like. >> So now do you have Cuz think about it. Bo and uh uh uh Ty was playing football. really not getting a whole lot of. batting practice and then go and he go. catch a flight and go play baseball. Bo. was, you know, he would play after the. season was over and we got a uh I. remember that was my rookie year when Bo. came and he they tossed him the ball and. he ran over Ronnie Hallebertton and ran. 50 yards for a touch. [laughter]. >> He ran 50 yard for a touchdown. is that. >> well that's the other thing too right so.

you look at a running back. he can run you know he can run yeah. >> right. >> and he can catch because he's a good. athlete right and so. >> the running back doesn't necessarily. have to be as integrated as a wide out. >> or quarterback right you know same way. with Dion at corner. >> yes. >> right cuz. >> he's covering a guy that he ain't even. come into the huddle he don't even care. what the coverage is he don't even cover. what the defense is called he got that. guy. >> right so I think the position They also. played help them be able to spend a.

little more time at baseball and do what. they did. >> Show. Have you ever seen anything like it? >> No. No. No. Not even close. Not I don't. think there's anything close to what. >> I mean he's on he's on a Barry Bonds. trajectory to be able to to strike out. 10 and then hit three home. I mean. that's crazy, >> right? Oh yeah. I mean Barry Bonds hit I. mean he's as good a hitter as Barry. >> Yeah. >> Right now. >> You think so? >> I do. Wow. I just think, >> you know, Barry, you know, whether he is. as good right now, obviously he's. playing later, so there's more pitches,

too. Right. And plus, these guys only go. five innings, >> right? >> Right. >> Yeah. >> And I'm not trying to I think Barry Bond. is as good as it was also. Right. But. when you look at the total package of. show as far as. >> Now, Barry didn't pitch. >> No. >> Right. >> Right. The mindset you have to have. >> and be able to pitch and do the stuff. that he does is just like I I don't. think we've ever seen anybody like him. Now, we had the same discussion, too. Okay, look at what Babe Ruth did. >> right. >> back in the 20s and 30s, right? Now,

>> he was that far above everybody of those. players at that time. He was probably at. had that separation, >> right? >> To whereas and you know, he Otani has. that separation now. >> But the big question is, okay, separation from what? But I, you know, it's still the big separation, you know, to so to compare Babe Ruth cuz Babe Ruth. pitched. Compare those two is, you know, they're the two best play baseball. players to play the game. When it comes. down to separation at the time that they. played now, who's better between those.

two? >> I mean I mean uh where Joe Hayes won. three consecutive MVPs. I mean, he's a. four-time MVP. He's a two-time um and. that performance that he had in. divisional round of the playoffs where. he pitched, struck out 10, and then he. hit those three home runs. I don't know. if we'll ever see that again. >> No. No, I agree. He's unbelievable. >> I think because if you go back and look. at it, John, there were guys that are. that pitched in college that were. tremendous hitters, but they wouldn't. allow them to do both in the MLB. And. show people like, look, if he can't do.

both, he's not coming to your team. >> Yeah. Right. Right. >> Because there are a lot of pitchers that. that hit 400, hit middle fours, but they. had to choose. They like, "Okay, you're. going to pitch.". >> Right. Which seems funny. >> Yeah. >> They don't spend that much time throwing. the ball. They should have plenty of. time to hit [laughter] the ball, too. Right. You should be on the mountain. that that long. So, but yeah. >> What do you think the. >> I you know and I think what changed that. too is the DH. >> Yes. Cuz they got it in both leagues. now, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> They had to. That was so unfair that the. pitcher cuz [laughter] he he was an easy. out. Yeah. I got you.

>> Then they go to the World Series and the. National League hitters or the Yeah. the. National League hitters. or pitchers or the American League. pitchers would have to hit. >> Have to hit. Yeah. >> You have to like just get me out of. here. When you look at the draft class, the 83 class, you got you, you got. Kelly, you got Marino. In the four, you. got Eli, you got Ben, you got Philip. Rivers, and uh 2020, you got Joe Burrow, you got Hurst, you got J. Is your draft. class the best quarterback draft class? >> Well, time will tell, you know. I think. we got what we have three Hall of.

Famers. >> You got three You got three Hall of. Famers. >> And then uh what was the next year? You. said. >> Eli. Oh, no. Four. Eli won two Super. Bowl. Ben won two Super Bowl. Phillips. unfortunately didn't get there. Right. And then in 2020, Burrow's been Herz has. been twice and won. And Jordan Love has. yet to get there. >> Yeah. Well, time will tell. I think uh. now 04 class is pretty good, right? When. you're talking about Super Bowls, >> Yeah. with Eli and Ben and Bill, >> you're talking about Super Bowls. Now, you know, and Ben was probably Ben's. definitely the top of that group, right? So, but if you talk about 83, you look.

at what Danny did. Even though Danny. didn't get there, you look about you. look at what he did in the passing game. in those years. He threw for. >> 5,000. >> 5,000 yards in 1984. >> Yeah. 48 touchdown. That is the greatest. that I don't care what anybody says. That is the greatest passing season ever. considering what the rules were. Correct. And how they attacked the. quarterback. 48 touchdowns. 5,000 yards. back then is like 6,000 today game. >> Absolutely. And so I mean and then you. look at what you know with Jim D going. to four straight though they couldn't.

get over the hump. That's a hell of an. accomplishment. So, you know, and plus. I'm biased, I think, you know, so I'm. going to say 83 right now, but you never. know. Time will tell. But, you know, you. look at, >> you know, myself as well as Jamie, what. Jimmy did and what Danny did and you. know, because Danny went there in the. second year. >> Yep. >> Right. So, >> he got he got Joe. >> Yeah. Exactly. [laughter]. >> They got Joe and they were and they were. at the peak of their powers. >> Yeah. >> I mean Yeah. They had Think about they. had Jerry, they had JT, they had Roger. Yeah. >> Their defense was unbelievable. >> Unbelievable. I mean, that's that's the. thing about San Francisco is their.

defense never. >> never got the credit because they had. those stars offensively. >> They had the stars offensively and Bill, you know, and Bill Walsh was the offense. coach and offense coordinator. So, you. know, but they never they Yeah, they. were the unsung heroes. They were always. that good on defense, too. >> You we get this and I don't know when it. happened. The GOAT uh you know, you get. Joe and you get Tom Mahomes get. sprinkled in there. How do you determine. the greatness of a quarterback? Does he. have to have stats? Does he have to have. MVPs? Does he have to have Super Bowl.

and Super Bowl MVPs? What is the. determining factor? Because clearly Tom. with seven and and five MVPs and all the. passing yards, all the touchdowns. Joe. is 4-0. He never lost. Uh. >> two come from behind against Cincinnati. both times. They beat he beat Ken. Anderson 81 and he beat Boomer in what. was that 88. >> Yeah. I mean I that's the thing is it's. okay. What is the what what's the. criteria, right? That's the question to. ask. But I think it's it's still hard to. say, you know, with Tom winning seven,

right? I mean, it's hard to beat that. >> Yeah. >> You think so? Somebody going to beat. that number? >> No. [laughter]. No. >> No. >> No. I don't think so. You know, and I, you know, >> I mean, I mean, think about it. He went. to 10. >> Right. Right. >> He went to 10. You went to 10 Super. Bowls. >> Yeah. I know. >> And you won. >> And that's Yeah. And I think you know. you know it's that's the tom too and but. you know I think Bill Bichc was that. good too. Right as that combination.

right I mean you look at it. >> and I've made this comment it's you look. at the league today and it's a head. coach and a quarterback. >> right and who who have the great head. coach and the great quarterback. Those. are the teams. >> that and now there's a lot of young good. quarterbacks. >> quarterback and a lot of good young head. coaches that are coming up. Right. >> I love Ben Johnson. >> Yeah. to see how that how all that plays. out because there's a lot of young good. but you know to be good in the NFL you. gota have you gotta have the head coach. >> and you have to have the quarterback.

>> and once you have those then. now you have a chance every year. Yeah. Right. And if you don't have that then. it's it's a battle. >> If somebody would have told me that you. would want to be after your playing. career you want to be a GM and you'd. want to select players and you want to. build a team I probably wouldn't have. believed it. [laughter]. What went into that thought process of. you becoming the GM, becoming the. executive VP and you building a team and. eventually building a team that ended up. getting to and winning a Super Bowl? >> You know, I knew I didn't want to coach,

>> right? You know, my dad was a coach and. so and I knew how much time that he. spent at the office when I was young. And then we know having played how how. much those coaches how much time is. spent because they spend it with us most. of the time when we're there and then. they have to spend that much time when. we're not there preparing for when we. are. >> getting off the plate. They don't even. go home on Sundays. They get home and go. straight upstairs and start breaking. down film for the week. >> Right. So I knew I didn't want to coach. Right. And and plus I'm not sure how. good a coach I could have been as we. talked earlier because I.

>> well I don't know why he did something. like that. Right? you know, you can. teach coverage and all those type of. things, but you can't teach the instinct. stuff, which which is the difference. between good and great players, right? Is the instincts. And so, but then I. also knew I wanted to get back in. football. >> Mhm. >> And uh, you know, so being a GM to. where, you know, could pick the coach, let the coach do his work, and then be a. part of the personnel and d you know, and collaborate with the with the staff, the head coach, and those type things to. put the best players what fits what they. want to do the best. So that's why and.

plus I didn't have to spend nearly as. much time. >> and I wanted to have some more free time. because we spent so much time when we. were playing. You didn't have a lot of. free time either. >> Well, yeah. As a quarterback you I I. remember you taking the uh they we. didn't have the iPads and you taking a. laundry basket with all those tapes. those beta tapes in there throwing them. over your shoulder like you like you was. a hobo and going home. So I just imagine. like. >> as a coach people don't realize how much. film coaches watch, >> right? Yeah. >> I don't think they have any idea, >> right? You know, and it's it's getting. better now because they got, you know,

it's so much easier with the computers. and the tape and how they cut it up and. all that. They used to have to sit there. and cut. >> you had to cut they had to Yeah. individual had to cut them. Now they. break it down for all first and 10, all. second and five. All. >> Yeah. So, they can actually spend more. time on game planning and seeing what. they're doing rather than cutting those. tapes up. But I Yeah. Because I still. want to be in football. I wanted to be a. part of it. I want to use what I'd. learned in it, what I saw in winning. teams, what I'd seen in losing teams, and what I thought was important. And. so, that's why I decided to come back. and do that. And I'm glad I did. It was. a great experience. But. >> drafting players, how does you know I.

talk to Aussie all the time and uh. Aussie Aussie I mean his first two draft. picks are top 100 players uh Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, then he drafts Suggs and. then he gets uh uh Ed Reid. And I was. like, "Bro, how do you" He said, "I just. believe what I see. I believe what my. eyes tell me." The tape, he says, "Look, I want a guy that I watch on tape. If he. comes to the combine and he runs fast, he jumps high." He's like, "Yeah, he's. explosive. I can see why he did X, Y, and Z. But sometimes. >> guys are just football players. He said,

"Suggs." I was like, he said, "Sugs, I. saw Sugs on the track on a track on a a. track track with track spikes and tights. with no shirt on run 48." But somebody. got 23 sacks, right? >> That's all I know. He can bend the edge. and he ain't got to run 40 yards to sack. the quarterback. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, how what was your process of. breaking down a player like, "Okay, this. is a player that we would like to have. in this organization." Well, I mean, yeah. And and you know, Azie is one of. the best to do it. Yes. Right. And he. did have he had instincts when it came.

down to players, right? And and you. know, trying to learn from him and what. he did, you know, and he's also. >> he picked he didn't he didn't go for the. guys from the lower schools that had no. names. He went SEC. He went Big 10. He. went guys that were proven solid. physical big guys. That's, you know, that was kind of, you know, Aussie style. and it worked, right? And so, you know, for me, I had to learn that, right? And. kind of learn a style, right? It was. trying to find and to me there was, >> you know, we had a great staff. Matt.

Russell was our director player. personnel who who did a great job and. had great instincts for, but it was more. collaboration going through it what we. what were the needs, >> right? >> You know, and and trying to find because. other than Payton, we're trying to find. that damn quarterback the whole time, right? And so and but the thing is and. like you said you can look at tape you. can you know you can look at numbers. because everybody most everybody has. good numbers right. >> and you can look at tape and he'll make. some good plays and then they'll blow a. play or make another great play but you.

know and and so it was like the one. thing that was very difficult to find is. find out what this was all about. >> what's inside of it. >> What is this all about? How is he going. to stand up in a tough situation? The. lights come on in the NFL, you know, and. trying, you know, you get so much time. with him. It's tough to, you know, that's why earlier in the le earlier in. the in the draft, it's a little bit. easier, but, you know, it's still 50/50. You're going to hit the right guy. And. then, >> but it was more, you know, trying to. find the full package and what fit for. us, what were our needs, and and so.

>> your first draft, you get Von Miller. If if let's just say if Cam is Well, you. don't need a quarterback because you got. you got Payton. >> Well, the first draft we did because we. had uh we had Tibo. >> That was your first draft. No, what you. call Dad already selected him, >> right? But he's he's played that year. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're right. You're. right. >> So, it was a year it was Oh, no. We had. got Payton because that's right. Because. we'd already got That's right. He was. before that was before the draft. You're. right. My. >> No, no, no, no. Pton Pton came in 2011,

right? >> 12. 2012. So you got Bond in 2011. >> That's right. So it was before Payton. was there, right? So then we had Kyle. Orton and we had Tim and and uh Brady. Quinn, >> right? >> And so so yeah, but I I don't remember. who. Well, Cam was taken number one. >> one and one by Carolina. I just remember. having a conversation with you and you. said and I asked you, you know, because. everybody was talking about the Bronco. going to take Von Miller. I said you. said he's Derrick Thomas reincarnated.

>> Yeah. Yeah. That was you say. >> that I mean I mean Bon Miller for his. size and speed was the most talented. person we I ever drafted. Come not even. close. What. >> the way he could bend. >> bend and strength and power and speed. and everything. Yeah. I mean there was. not I mean Bond was it. I mean he could. do everything. >> I mean he he was. >> especially when he wanted to [laughter]. >> and and well if fortunately for us in. Super Bowl 50 he wanted to. Oh yeah, >> cuz he he he wrecked the game. They.

couldn't block it. And I don't know why. I don't know why what made them think. they could single him. >> I have no idea. Yeah, but he was. >> that that was Von Miller. I mean, he he. just I mean the tools that he had was. just I mean and and speed to power and. he was so long too. >> Hey, it was so long. >> Yeah, he could lock out. I remember him. he hip tossed Kelsey. You remember that. Monday night he hip tossed Kelsey? Yeah. >> I mean he and he was like. >> Oh yeah. But he was he was unbel How did. you attract I mean that's a lot easier.

when you got Payton. But how do you go. about attracting free? You get a a Ke to. leave. You get a a Demar a Demarcus. where it. >> it goes back to who's you know having. Pton Manny here. >> I mean that because if someone and. that's why having Peyton or having a. quarterback that's why you need that. quarterback because they got to be able. to believe in that quarterback that they. got to believe that he's that he's good. because then they know they have a. chance to win. >> Correct. >> Right. So the one draw is that. quarterback that you can draw to him and. that's what players will migrate to cuz. they want to be on winning football.

teams. If that quarterback's a great. player then you'll be able to get those. people and that's why you know cuz. Payton was here. What Payton was wasn't. what he was but he was still. >> I mean in 2013 he threw for 5,000 55. touchdowns and 5,000 some yards, right? So he still. >> was great, right? And so. >> um being able to m get those guys, right? And then uh Demarcus was big, you. know, cuz he knew. And so Demarcus was. kind of the first piece and then Tib. came and then uh TJ TJ came after that.

So. >> you you got uh drafted uh Malik and. Wolf. >> Yeah, Wolf was in the second round. We. got Malik in the fifth round, >> right? >> So, but yeah, it was just a great. combination. Then Danny Travan inside. was a great player. We got Brandon. Marshall. >> Got him in the sixth round. Brandon. Marshall was later fifth rounder or. something like that. So, just a great. combination. Plus, Wade was a great. defensive coach. Put it all together, too. >> But Payton to get Payton knowing what he. there there was not uh look, there was.

not I don't know if there was a whole. lot of suitors for his services given. what he had been through because it. wasn't like he was he wasn't like he was. uh Randy Johnson had a fast ball anyway. So, now dealing with that neck surgery, the firing those getting those nerves to. fire back, there was a possibility, well, he's not going to be able to be. what he once was. But you wrote you took. a chance like look. >> you know half a beat man he's still. better than a lot of players at that. point in time right so he was still. coming off that and didn't know if. things were coming back but the.

prognosis was very good that things were. going to be able to come back. >> you know and plus you know we went. through it I think the Cardinals were in. it the Titans were in it I can't. remember else where he where he took a. trip then. >> Tennessee yeah the Titans. >> Tennessee that's that's the one that. worried me right because he was from he. went to college down there and so. >> you know we just showed him what. Denver's Right. John Fox was here was. very, you know, very good guy, good. coach D. And so he was a good recruiter. But, you know, our plan was just to show. show Payton what we had, right? Show him. Denver.

>> You know, Mike McCoy is the OC. Get him. with Mike to be able to know that we're. going to integrate Payton what you want. to do into what we're doing. Right. >> If you come here, we're going to do what. you want to do. We're going to integrate. it and talk through it and da da da. And. so, >> you know, and I think as you know, >> it's so great to play in Denver and you. know, Mr. bone was still there at that. point in time. And so, >> you know, the whole combination was, >> you know, was was a great fit for. Payton. It ended up being that way. So, it was funny cuz I'm sitting at the. desk. John Fox is there. Payton was told.

us, I can't remember, it was a Monday. He goes, "Yeah, I'm going to let. everybody know on Monday." And so, he. calls Payton on the phone. And John Fox. is sitting next to me and I'm like, he. goes, "Yeah." And Pton says, "Well, yeah, I'm just, you know, I'm calling. letting people know what I'm going to. do." And I'm sitting there going, "Okay, well, is this the first call, the second. call, or the third call?" He goes, "Well, this is the third call." I said, "Oh, okay." So that he goes, "Yeah, I'm. I turned the other two down. I wanted to. let you know that I'm coming to Denver.". >> Oh, wow. Thank god I'm the third call. [laughter]. and I told Fox and Fox went crazy. So,

but it was great to get him here. >> We're going to get y'all a few questions. left. Cam said he's still haunted by not. jumping on that ball in the Super Bowl. Is there a play that haunts you that you. wish after all these years you could. have a doover? Wow. Um, one that pops in my mind all the time. was I against the Raiders here. Mike. Shannon was the coach of the Raiders. >> Okay. >> And we're in overtime and I threw a deep.

ball and it was I should have never. thrown the ball and they end up picking. it off and end up losing the game. >> And I can't tell I couldn't tell you who. picked it off or what not, but it's. still one that picks that. So, it has to. be that one. That was probably the worst. decision I made or worst throw I made to. decision and throw and uh you know it's. one of those it's like why'd you throw. that one. >> right? I always think about that. So. that's probably that's probably it. >> You said in your tenure you don't have a. whole lot of regret of selecting players. and dragging free but you do regret Josh. Allen.

>> Yeah. >> Looking sitting right there you had the. fifth pick in the draft and you don't. take him. >> Um you think that would have changed the. fortunes? >> I do. You know, I do and because I. really liked him, but you know, the the. problem is I. >> and the way that I worked is I I wanted. I wanted. buyin from the coaching staff and I. couldn't get the buy in from the. coaching staff, right? I couldn't get. everybody on the same page with it. >> and uh you know, so and I I loved him. Now, you know, when he coming out when. he was coming out, he wasn't perfect. >> Yeah, he was raw. He he.

>> it was very very raw, right? And you. know, and accuracy his accuracy was the. biggest question. athletic as hell, big, strong, competitive, and all those type. things. But, you know, there was a, >> you know, that was the one question I. loved him. >> You know, that and that's why I say I. regret it is because I didn't overrule. everybody and say, I'm taking him. >> I'm taking him, right? I'm taking him. because now it's up to you to make him. good, right? But none of the coaches. were all kind of then, you know, nobody. >> and they were all hot on Bradley Chub,

right? Cuz it was uh. >> I'm forgetting who the head coach was. It was uh was it VJ at the time? >> Might have been VJ. >> It might have been VJ. >> And so they were all hot on getting. >> paired him with Von. >> Yeah, exactly. Right. So I just couldn't. get the buy in and and even though I. liked him, but so the the one regret I. have that we've talked about is that I. didn't just overrule and say we're. taking him. >> right now. Again, you have to have the. right coach. >> coach to coach him up because you look. at him his first year, he wasn't like.

that until he got with Dball and now. these coaches. >> Correct. be able to get that's why if. you don't have buy in on that offensive. side and knowing that okay well so but. so so that yeah that's the one we get as. a gym. >> how long said Caleb Williams is this. generation's John Elway. >> you know he's coming on. >> he is he's amazing. >> he's coming on he's doing better you. know the one thing he's moving around. he's not decision- making is getting. better and and uh yeah I think he is a I. think he's a great player you know it's. like anything he's still young he's not.

you know to me in watching him the few. games that I've watched him. He's not. hitting the ones he should hit every. time. Right. >> Right. The easy ones, the ones that, you. know, the square outs, the hitches, those type balls that you should you got. on target every time. >> Right. >> That you know, he's still a little But. that that'll come right with that'll. come with maturity. And. >> but that throw that he made against. Green Bay in overtime. >> Oh my god. >> The one that he made a couple of weeks. earlier where he threaded and needed. through two guys and his guy catches. I. mean, he can his ability to throw on the. move. >> and Yeah. And the one thing that and I.

and this and I believe this too um. Shannon is that as a quarterback to be a. great in the NFL you have to be able to. win it from the pocket. >> Yes. >> You got to be able to make the throws. from the pocket. Now the addition of. movement and creating new, you know, creating big plays, >> extending plays, that is all a added. bonus, right? >> But to be able to be great and that's. where I, you know, that's where Caleb, I. think, is getting a lot better, right? Because, you know, in college is such a. better athlete, but he can do whatever. he want, run around all over the place, right? But he seems to be getting more.

comfortable staying in that pocket. Ben. Johnson's keeping him in there a little. bit when he's making those throws. And. then the added bonus is the ability to. move around. The franchise tag was. possibly created because of you, because. Mr. Bowlolan didn't want to use you. So, they wanted to be able to tag a player. that they felt was a foundation piece. that he was going to be remembered for. playing for this organization. Do you. remember anything about 1993 agency? >> Uh, you know, I I'd heard the same. rumor. I I don't know if that's 100%. true, but uh I I had heard the same. thing that it was Pat that was the one.

that that brought that up and was a. staunch supporter of the franchise tag. Right. Yeah. And it was I was I was fine. with it because I didn't want to go. anywhere else anyway. So, >> how does John Elway when it's all said. and done 25 years from now? You you came. here in ' 83 and you never left. You. have other places in different spots, but this is home. How does John El want to be remembered? >> Um, you know, I would like Yeah. You know, number one is a person that was a.

positive influence on the community. um. you know, have the legacy, have the the. remembrance of a of a solid playing. career, but also somebody that was a. positive influence within the within the. uh community and also was, you know, one. that helped bring Denver, you know, out. of the out of the dusty old cowboy days. and, you know, hopefully, you know, bring the help bring the city to where. it is today. Uh but also I think the. most important thing is and I believe it.

in my my life the most important thing. to me is relationships. >> Yeah. >> You know because it doesn't matter about. money, anything else that you have, what. you've done, all that stuff is is the. the the relationships that you have that. you know that the people that I've met. here and you realize that you know he. was a great football player but a better. person. >> John Elway. [applause]. >> Appreciate you bro. >> Thank you dude. Thanks for coming out. Yeah, man. I don't get. >> I made it on clip. Sh made [laughter] it.

now. Grinding all my life. Sacrifice hustle. paid the price. [music]. Want a slice. Got to roll a dice. That's. why all my life I've been grinding all. my life. All my life [music] been. grinding all my life. Sacrifice hustle. paid the price. Want a slice. [music]. Got to roll a dice. That's why all my. life I' been grinding all my life.