John Elway joins ‘After the Horn’ for an epic conversation with Woody Paige, Ron Zappolo, & Tom Green – three journalists who covered his entire career as a player and GM for the Broncos. Elway reflects on stepping away from the Broncos and embracing a slower, more family-focused chapter of life, including becoming a grandfather many times over. He discusses climbing new mountains throughout his career — from Arena Football ownership to running NFL front offices — and how those experiences shaped his leadership. Elway opens up about his Netflix documentary, his relationship with his father and twin sister, and the emotional process of revisiting the hardest moments of his life.
The conversation spans his battles with Dan Reeves, the pressure that came with entering the league as a generational prospect, and the early struggles that built his competitive edge. He details the unique dynamics of the Peyton Manning signing, the construction of the Super Bowl 50 defense, and how Mike Shanahan and Gary Kubiak elevated the Broncos through culture, detail, and psychology.
Elway also shares stories about the Tebow era, the challenges of developing young quarterbacks, and how the Broncos’ current culture under Sean Payton mirrors the confidence of Denver’s greatest teams. It’s a rare, honest look at Elway’s evolution as a player, executive, teammate, father, and competitor — told around the table with people who’ve known him for more than 40 years.
