THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 27, 1995 TAG: 9512270077
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: GUY FRIDDELL
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
If you don't give a fig for football, a game that would have given you some sense of its allure was Sunday's between the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders.
The only player I know on either team is Bronco quarterback John Elway. For the the 32nd time in his career, he led the Broncs from seeming defeat to a resounding fourth-quarter victory.
In wrapping up the win for his team, Elway also made it possible for the Miami Dolphins to make the playoffs leading to the Super Bowl.
The Dolphins have a fine quarterback in Dan Marino, who led them in a 41-22 victory over the St. Louis Rams, but, because of the whimsical standings in the league, victory over the Rams wouldn't have mattered had Denver not defeated the Raiders.
In an elegant double negative, Dolphin fullback Keith Byars said of Elway, ``I can't think of no one else I would want in there with our fate in his hand than No. 7.''
And I can't think of no one else who could better have expressed gratitude than did Byars.
Elway is a wonder in leading a team from one end of the field to the other in the waning minutes.
In a saying dear to former Gov. Bill Tuck, he is as cool as the center seed of a cucumber. Under circumstances that seem to scream in tension, he moves with a detached, almost vacuous expression.
With his mouth dropped open slightly, he has the somewhat distracted air of a preoccupied man who has picked up a swatter to smack a fly.
His teammates go about their business in dogged certitude that, if it is possible to bring them back from the brink, John can do it.
Elway has that arm with sniper-sight accuracy, and, if there's an opening, he can dive for yardage or seize any other opportunity to win.
Foes feel that when he is on the field, he is a constant threat to reverse a game to his favor.
Elway has never enjoyed the luxury of throwing to a super receiver. In Sunday's game, he distributed passes among eight teammates. He makes the best of what's given.
What is his secret? Serenity from having pulled off the impossible so often. Pleasure in the game for its sake even in the shadow of defeat. An extra dose of vitality enjoyed by great champions.
Makes no difference to viewers whether the Broncos make the playoffs or the Super Bowl. Elway will give his utmost, which is quite enough to expect on an afternoon, no matter the standings.
My colleague Fred Kirsch was explaining football to a friend from Australia as they watched the Broncos-Raiders set-to. Keep your eye on Elway, Fred advised. He has the habit of coming through at the end.
Sure enough, Elway did for Fred.
There couldn't have been a better introduction of football to a visitor from Down Under. by CNB