John Elway was the quintessential comeback QB, and was a great study in competitiveness and persistence. Playing for the Denver Broncos all of his career (1983 - 1999), he led the team to three Super Bowl appearances in 1987, 1988 and 1990 but lost each game. There were some lean years, and missed playoffs, until the Broncos arrived at the big dance again in 1998. This time, Elway & Co. punched the ticket and nabbed the Lombardi Trophy. They returned the next year, and made it two in a row, after which Mr. Comeback called it a career. What an amazing career it was, indeed.
It is quite a challenge for many star athletes and talented coaches to parlay their success into the executive ranks. Consider Michael Jordan, and his woeful Charlotte Hornets. Think Isiah Thomas, who was a fiasco as coach and executive. Even Phil Jackson, one of the greatest coaches in NBA history and now rookie executive, is having a miserable go with the New York Knicks. They either have to have the requisite front office leadership presence, skills and disposition, or be able to learn and develop these, in order to be successful.
Unfortunately, one of the most glaring pitfalls for any organization is to elevate a great performer to the next position and expect him or her to sustain such high level of performance. Perhaps seduced by the recognition and promotion, he or she, too, believes that current skills can translate to a future challenge. Again, unless they have the stuff to succeed in a new, more complicated position, they are bound to fail.
Fortunately for the Broncos, however, Elway has certainly proven that he possesses the savvy, moxie and discipline. Under his four year, front office watch, his team boasts a 46-18 record, first place finishes in the AFC West every single year, plus yet another Super Bowl appearance for the quintessential leading edge executive.
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