Elway to Marino

The 1983 NFL Draft left a legacy that continues to this day (not just for the league, but for the draft itself). The first round of that draft is what is profiled in this popular 30 For 30 episode that is shown regularly on ESPN every year in April (right before the draft). Produced by NFL Films, and narrated by Tom Selleck, "Elway to Marino" is gripping in what is revealed. Most sports fans are somewhat aware of the background story behind the film. What makes this episode so intriguing is the deeper detail regarding this incredible draft class (something most avid football fans might not be aware of). "Elway to Marino" is the behind-the-scenes story told through the eyes (and journal) of agent Marvin Demoff - who represented both John Elway and Dan Marino. Consider this: Joe Montana might have been traded for John Elway. Also, Elway might have been an Oakland Raider if, according to some reports, the NFL hadn't blocked a trade between the Bears and Raiders that would have allowed the Raiders to get Elway. This was shortly after a bitter legal battle between the league and Al Davis. Another interesting tale is the angle of the Colts attempting to amass draft picks for Elway, and then hoping to use one of those picks (in the top 6) to select another quarterback - Dan Marino. Other interesting tidbits include the Dallas Cowboys' efforts to obtain John Elway, and the New England Patriots being the most avid pursuer of Elway (a move the Colts wouldn't have allowed given the fact that they would have to face him twice a year within the same division). This isn't just an episode about the battle between the Colts and Marvin Demoff, John Elway, and the Elway family - it's also about the other 5 quarterbacks (and other players) selected in the first round. This draft is frequently referred to as The Quarterback Class of 1983 - where a record 6 quarterbacks were selected in the first round. The subplot of this episode is the fall of Dan Marino to the end of the first round (which is also intriguing). Covering the first round pick-by-pick, the draft also included Eric Dickerson (selected 2nd), Willie Gault (18th), and Darrell Green (28th). In 1983, the NFL was in a dark place. The previous year saw a shortened season due to a contentious players' strike, and the upstart USFL was able to procure some top talent. The latter story ties in with Jim Kelly choosing the Houston Gamblers over the Buffalo Bills. In the end, 6 players selected in the first round ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The film doesn't shy away from the controversy of the Elway family's relationship with the Colts, and the apparent dysfunctions within the Colts organization. From a public perspective, it would be easy to see Elway (and his father) as spoiled and/or entitled. What the episode shines light on is the influence of a visionary agent - and his advocating that within the NFL system, the Elways had leverage. John's talent as a baseball player highlights the ability he had. He was chosen in the second round of the 1981 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees George Steinbrenner (with their first pick; 6 spots ahead of future Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn). Not necessarily the spoiled athlete he had been portrayed by the media at the time, we see John Elway as an exceptional athlete - and one that had another viable option. Imagine a Yankee roster of Ken Griffey, Ron Guidry, Ricky Henderson, Don Mattingly, Phil Niekro, Willie Randolph, and Dave Winfield with a young John Elway. Although it would have been interesting to see what would have occurred in an alternate reality if Elway had played for the Yankees (as for the team in general, and for Elway on an individual level), the viewer gets a strong sense in this film that football was always John Elway's destiny (as well as his deeper desire). "Elway to Marino" sheds light on the story of an agent (and father) attempting to establish a more favorable environment for a client/athlete's future career. What damaged Elway in the media coverage of the 1983 NFL Draft was an excuse that played out badly in public. The Elways rightfully saw the Colts organization (and owner Bob Irsay) at the time as dysfunctional. Instead of making those assessments public, they felt they had a "gentlemen's agreement" that the Elways wouldn't be disrespectful publicly towards the organization, and in return, the Colts would find a way to trade the first pick to another team before the draft. In an attempt to explain things to the media, agent Marvin Demoff provided what he described in the film as a not too well thought out public reason for John not wanting to play for the Colts - cold weather. The idea was that Elway had played football in California, and wanted to remain on the West Coast. You can imagine the public reaction (as well as the reaction from other NFL players, including Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Terry Bradshaw). As a lifelong Denver Broncos fan, I wanted to get more information regarding the pivotal trade that bettered that franchise for decades. John Elway's connection with the Broncos (as a player and executive) has led to 7 Super Bowl appearances - including 3 victories. In a nutshell, it was Denver Broncos Owner Edgar Kaiser's connection with Baltimore Colts Owner Robert Irsay (and possibly Chris Hinton, Mark Herrmann, and the Broncos' first round pick in the 1984 NFL Draft) that led to the trade for John Elway. Elway's trade to the Broncos not only positively impacted the franchise for the better, it also had a ripple effect on the fortunes of 2 other franchises: the Baltimore Colts and the Cleveland Browns. In the end, the Elways weren't that far off in their assessment of the Colts ownership/franchise at the time. After the 1983 season (and after suffering a season-ending loss to Elway's Broncos in Denver), the Colts notoriously moved to Indianapolis in the spring of 1984 (during the middle of the night). The film also provides insight into the understandably difficult predicament Colts General Manager Ernie Accorsi found himself in (after Irsay traded Elway to the Broncos without his approval, Accorsi resigned). The bonus features of the film contain the truth is stranger than fiction account of how fortune would later find Accorsi. When Eli Manning (who was the first player selected in the 2004 NFL Draft) refused to play for the team that picked him - the San Diego Chargers - Accorsi (now the New York Giants General Manager) was a participant in the trade that brought him there. The Giants would eventually win 2 Super Bowls with Manning - the same number Elway won as a player with the Broncos. A must for any Denver Broncos fan (or for those who love the sport's history), this is one of the best 30 For 30 episodes ever produced. From a visual standpoint, "Elway to Marino" recreates the drama of the draft, as well as the draft floor from the New York Sheraton Hotel. The legacy of the 1983 NFL Draft remains to this day. In 11 of the 16 years following this draft, the AFC was represented in the Super Bowl by a team led by one of the quarterbacks selected in the first round. Since 1983, the NFL Draft has become an "event." Some sources (including Bleacher Report) refer to the 1983 NFL Draft Class as "the greatest of all-time."

My favorite part being Boomer talking about Dan Marino going to Miami

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Good DVD!

Excellent documentary about the draft and its aftermath.

I think this is the best entry in ESPN's 30 for 30 series so far. It is incredible going back in time seeing what every teams picks were for the 1983 draft. It was amazing to learn that John did not want to go to Baltimore and could have ended up on several different teams. In the end the Broncos had to give up very little to the Colts to actually get him which was crazy. Just a few 2nd round picks. Seeing all the other teams in the league pass on Dan Marino was extraordinary. My own home team the Seattle Seahawks drafted a running back Curt Warner who was decent but nowhere near as good a player as Marino. At the time Seattle had not had a franchise quarterback do anything other than be mediocre.The documentary goes pick by pick of what each team was thinking at the time. Dan's home town team the Steelers wanted him but decided to pick a top defensive player instead to rebuild there team. Jim Kelly was selected by the Bills and similar to John Elway he didn't want to play for that team and decided to jump ship to the upstart USFL instead.John would have been a decent to really good baseball player for the Yankees but never a HOF like he was at football. In the end he made the right decision sticking with football over baseball and I think he was happy in Denver. I didn't know his wife was from Washington State. Imagining the Seahawks getting Elway or Marino would have been a nice reality. It looks like the consensus was that a lot of teams thought Dan was a party boy not serious about winning and that was the furthest thing from the truth.The documentary makes me feel very sorry for the Jets fans Marino was just sitting there ripe for the pickings in the middle of the first round and they pass on him. This is a great documentary one that I could watch over and over. It is pretty fascinating looking back in hindsight which direction each team went and how the picks ended up changing franchises.If you like football you will love this documentary. I would highly recommend this documentary and rate it 5 stars. It is very well done in all aspects with interviews from several coaches and players give it a lot of credibility. I can't say enough about it, this is a must watch film for any sports fan. You could tell that when the Dolphins drafted Marino that look on his face was determination. Dan even says at the end of the show he couldn't wait for that season to start so he could make the rest of the league sorry they didn't draft him.

Great story my bro loved it