Sept. 13, 1999
SportsLine wire reports

DENVER -- John Elway gave Denver one last Mile High memory.

	Related Links: The Harmon NFL Forecast: Week 2 Week 1 wrapup Denver Broncos team report Forum: Is Elway a lock for the Hall of Fame?
	T O P   N E W S

On the field where he won 105 games, Elway was inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame on Monday night and watched as the No. 7 jersey he wore for 16 seasons was retired.

Accompanied by his wife, Janet, and their four children, Elway turned his 15-minute tribute at halftime of the game with Miami into an emotional dedication to the fans who watched him grow from an immature quarterback to a certain Hall of Famer.

"I'm so happy that the Baltimore Colts traded me here, you can't believe it," Elway said, his voice wavering. "I'm going to miss you, but I'm not going to be far away because I'm going to be a Denver Bronco forever."

Unlike his retirement speech in April, Elway remained fairly composed as he addressed the crowd of 76,000 at Mile High Stadium. He walked onto the field to Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" and flashed a thumbs up to about 100 men dressed in white No. 7 jerseys.

"Sometimes there is a player that becomes so important to us and so much our hero that his number and name become synonymous," Denver owner Pat Bowlen said. "There will never be another No. 7 on the Broncos."

Tears formed in Elway's eyes as his name was unveiled on the facade of the stadium's northwest corner.

"I'd really like to say what an honor it is to see my name up there," Elway said. "To have my name associated with the Ring of Fame is truly a great honor."

Elway, who retired after winning his second straight Super Bowl title, is the 16th member of Denver's Ring of Fame and the first inductee since Louis Wright was inducted in 1993.

The Broncos waived the mandatory five-year waiting period for Elway's induction. He is sure to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2004.

Only Dan Marino, who was in the Miami locker room during the halftime ceremony, has more passing yards than Elway, who finished with 51,475.

Elway also had 300 career touchdown passes and an NFL-leading 148 victories as a starter. Marino is second with 142.

The statistic Elway will be remembered best for is his 47 game-tying or game-wining drives.

"I'm going to clue the world in on this Mile High magic," Elway told the fans. "They can talk about the altitude. They can talk about the field. They can talk about everything, but the key thing to Mile High magic is you."

Before the game, Elway watched from a luxury box as Broncos alumni were introduced. He looked calm, sipping a beer and talking to his 8-year-old daughter, Juliana.