[Buff]

Hall of Famer John Elway's comments:

``When the game was on the line, he was like Michael Jordan,'' said Dan Reeves, who coached Elway in Denver's three Super Bowl losses. ``He wanted the football. In those situations, I don't know if I know anyone that did a better job.''

That's not how life in the NFL began for Elway.

Though he was the top pick in the 1983 draft, he was benched at halftime in his first NFL game -- and really didn't mind.

``I said, `Auntie Em, take me home,'' Elway recalled. ``I don't want to be here any longer, staring at Jack Lambert drooling spit.''