The Denver Broncos retired uniform number 7 in honor of NFL quarterback John Elway. Elway wore number 7 throughout his 16-season professional career with Denver and became the defining quarterback in franchise history.
The Broncos retired his number on September 13, 1999, during halftime of a Monday Night Football game against the Miami Dolphins. That evening, Elway was also inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. The team has never issued number 7 to another player since his retirement.
Elway was selected first overall in the 1983 NFL Draft and led Denver to five Super Bowl appearances. He finished his playing career with back-to-back victories in Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII, retiring after the 1998 season. Fans sometimes confuse his retired number with 18, another famous Broncos quarterback number associated with Peyton Manning; number 7 belongs specifically to Elway.