It was the beginning of one of the most successful and legendary careers in the National Football League, a game that launched one of the greatest quarterbacks of the modern era, and it happened in Three Rivers Stadium 33 years ago.
On a pleasant, 73-degree Western Pennsylvania day in September 1983, John Elway made his highly anticipated and tremendously hyped debut for the Denver Broncos against the Steelers, starting and winning what would be the first of his 148 NFL victories in a 16-year career.
Elway didn’t really beat the Steelers that day; backup Steve DeBerg did, replacing an injured Elway (elbow) in the second
half and leading the Broncos to a 14-10 victory.