On Wednesday, the rest of the National Football League enjoyed a good laugh at John Elway’s expense.
When the Denver Broncos traded (unofficially because it’s not yet the new league year) for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, the reaction was overwhelmingly negative and the jokes came early and often. Elway, the Broncos general manager, had agreed to send a fourth-round draft pick to Baltimore in exchange for Flacco, the Ravens’ longtime starter (and Super Bowl winner) at quarterback.
While the results on field are what matter most, the headlines tell the story of public response:
There are lots of reasons to laugh about the deal on the surface.