Who was selected first overall in the 1983 NFL Draft?

John Elway was selected first overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. The Stanford quarterback became the first pick in a draft later celebrated for producing an exceptional generation of quarterbacks and other stars.

Elway’s selection was immediately complicated by his reluctance to play for Baltimore. He had baseball opportunities and publicly expressed concern about joining the Colts, who were then struggling. On June 2, 1983, Baltimore traded him to the Denver Broncos, where he spent his entire NFL career.

The 1983 draft is often called the “Quarterback Class of 1983.” Jim Kelly went 14th overall to Buffalo, Dan Marino went 27th to Miami, and the Los Angeles Rams selected running back Eric Dickerson second overall. All four became major NFL figures, making the draft unusually memorable.

Elway led Denver to five Super Bowl appearances and won two, including Super Bowl XXXIII. He was also named Super Bowl MVP in that game before later entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame.