DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 28: John Elway, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Denver Broncos, looks on as players warm up before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 28, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

NFL Legend John Elway Dealing With 'Concerning' Health Issue

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Nov 20, 2024 6:49 PM ET

Legendary NFL quarterback John Elway is dealing with a concerning health issue.

Elway, 64, played in the National Football League from 1983-98, all with the Denver Broncos. He went out on top, winning the Super Bowl in his final season. Elway, a Hall of Fame quarterback, won two championships during his career. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and the league's MVP in 1987. Elway got into the front office after retiring, working for the Broncos from 2011-22, before stepping back. He admits he misses the game, but he's enjoying life away from the stadium, too.

Unfortunately, Elway, who starred collegiately at Stanford, has been dealing with a "concerning" health issue.

Elway spoke to The Big Lead on Wednesday, about the condition he's dealing with.

The Hall of Fame quarterback has Dupuytren's Contracture, which is an incurable condition that causes painful movement in the fingers. It causes the fingers to bend and become permanently fixed in a flexed position.

Elway has been taking Xiaflex to help with his treatment.

"It was something when I was in my early 50s, I noticed constrictions in the palms of my hands, especially my ring finger. I actually saw our trainer with the Denver Broncos, who set me up with a specialist that diagnosed me with DC," he told The Big Lead.

"After being diagnosed, I wanted to find out more about DC. It's something that a lot of people don't know about, even though 5% of the population has it, which is why I want people to be aware that there is a non-surgical option for this condition in the form of the medication Xiaflex."

LOS ANGELES,CA-CIRCA 1986:Dan Reeves head coach of the Denver Broncos discusses strategy with John Elway in a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1986 in Los Angeles,California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)

Elway admitted that he waited a while to seek treatment.

"I didn't really know what it was. I kind of put it off until I asked our trainer, who directed me to the hand specialist. But I think that is one of the things we are trying to encourage, is that the earlier you seek treatment, the results are much better," he admitted.

"It's amazing in the last five years, how many people have asked me about the condition and the Xiaflex that treats the condition. You are not alone. If you have these constrictions in your hands and fingers, there is a non-surgical treatment in Xiaflex."

Thankfully, it sounds like Elway is getting the treatment he needs now.

You can read his full interview with The Big Lead here.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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