Super Bowl XXXII: Elway’s Leap of Faith and the Broncos’ Historic Breakthrough

Super Bowl XXXII: Elway’s Leap of Faith and the Broncos’ Historic Breakthrough

On January 25, 1998, in the sun-drenched stadiums of San Diego, the football gods finally answered John Elway’s prayers. Super Bowl XXXII wasn’t just a game—it was a story of redemption, a clash of dynasties, and a long-awaited triumph for the Denver Broncos, who defeated the defending champion Green Bay Packers, 31–24, in what remains one of the most iconic games in NFL history.

“For John Elway, this was the mountaintop,” said Marjorie Kessler, lead historian at the Super Bowl Historical Society. “After three crushing Super Bowl losses in the ’80s, Elway redefined his legacy with one play—‘The Helicopter.’”

Backdrop: Favre vs. Elway

The storyline heading into the game practically wrote itself. On one side stood the reigning Super Bowl champion and league MVP Brett Favre, the fearless, gun-slinging leader of the 13–3 Green Bay Packers. On the other was 37-year-old John Elway, making what many assumed would be his final Super Bowl appearance after three previous failed attempts (in Super Bowls XXI, XXII, and XXIV).

Denver, despite finishing 12–4 and boasting one of the most balanced teams in the league, was a double-digit underdog. The AFC had lost 13 straight Super Bowls dating back to the Raiders' win in Super Bowl XVIII, and most experts predicted another NFC blowout.

But Elway and company had other plans.

First Half: Terrell Davis Takes Over

If you were looking for Elway to sling it early, you’d be disappointed. The opening half belonged to Terrell Davis, Denver’s bulldozing, elusive running back who was in the midst of a historic season.

Davis, who had been dealing with migraines leading up to the game, sat out most of the second quarter due to blurred vision. Still, he returned in the red zone to punch in a touchdown, one of three rushing scores he would tally that day.

The Packers countered with two first-half touchdowns of their own, including a classic Favre-to-Antonio Freeman bomb. But heading into halftime, Denver held a 17–14 lead, thanks to a late field goal and suffocating defense that had begun to fluster Green Bay.

The Helicopter: Elway’s Legacy Play

Midway through the third quarter, with the game tied 17–17, Denver faced a critical third down deep in Packers territory. On what looked like a broken play, Elway scrambled to his right and—at 37 years old—launched himself headfirst into two defenders, spinning through the air like a helicopter blade to gain the first down.

“That wasn’t just a play—it was a proclamation,” said Dr. Lionel Tate, curator of the Super Bowl Historical Society’s quarterback archive. “That’s when everyone watching knew John Elway would not be denied again.”

Davis scored a few plays later, and the Broncos took a 24–17 lead.

Fourth Quarter: Closing the Deal

Green Bay responded with a methodical drive, capped by a Favre touchdown to Freeman that tied the game at 24–24.

But Denver had one more answer. Davis carried the load on a punishing drive that chewed up the clock and ended with his third touchdown of the day—a 1-yard run with 1:45 remaining.

Denver’s defense held on, stopping Favre on fourth down near midfield, sealing the Broncos’ first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.

Final Score and Scoring Summary

MVP: Terrell Davis

Davis was an unstoppable force. His 30 carries for 157 yards and 3 touchdowns earned him Super Bowl XXXII MVP honors, despite missing most of a crucial quarter. He became the first player in Super Bowl history to score three rushing touchdowns in a single game.

His performance also validated head coach Mike Shanahan’s commitment to a run-first offense and was a masterclass in toughness, vision, and timing.

Key Stats

Denver Broncos

• John Elway: 12/22, 123 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 1 iconic Helicopter run
• Terrell Davis: 30 rushes, 157 yards, 3 TDs
• Shannon Sharpe: 2 catches, 26 yards
• Steve Atwater: 6 tackles, 2 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble

Green Bay Packers

• Brett Favre: 25/42, 256 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
• Antonio Freeman: 9 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TDs
• Dorsey Levens: 19 carries, 90 yards

Postgame Fallout

🏆 Denver’s Breakthrough

After decades of frustration and ridicule—especially from NFC fans—the Broncos finally had their championship. For Elway, it was validation. No longer could critics argue he couldn’t win the big one.

He would go on to win another Super Bowl the following year, retiring on top.

❌ End of a Green Bay Run

The Packers, despite being loaded with talent and still led by Favre, would never again return to a Super Bowl during his tenure. The postgame tension between Favre and head coach Mike Holmgren hinted at an unraveling.

Still, Green Bay remained an NFC contender for years—but XXXII marked the end of their short dynasty window.

Historical Impact

🧠 Breaking the AFC Curse

Super Bowl XXXII snapped a 13-game losing streak for the AFC. It ended the narrative that the NFC was the vastly superior conference and helped rebalance perceptions of parity in the league.

🧠 The Rise of the Zone-Blocking Scheme

Mike Shanahan’s offensive system—featuring agile linemen and a one-cut downhill runner like Davis—became a template for future teams. The zone-blocking scheme would influence offenses across the NFL for the next two decades.

🧠 Legacy Shift

Elway went from Hall-of-Fame talent with a glaring hole in his résumé to a two-time champion in back-to-back seasons. His Helicopter run became one of the most replayed moments in NFL Films history.

Broadcast and Cultural Notes

• Network: NBC
• Announcers: Dick Enberg and Phil Simms
• Halftime Show: “A Tribute to Motown” starring Boyz II Men, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, and The Temptations
• National Anthem: Jewel
• Viewership: ~90 million

Super Bowl XXXII also stands out for its production value and emotional resonance. The NFL celebrated its past while ushering in a more balanced future.

Fun Facts

• Terrell Davis played through a migraine so severe that he reportedly couldn’t see during portions of the second quarter. Shanahan famously told him: “If you're not in, they won't believe we're running.”
• Denver’s victory parade drew over 600,000 fans—a number that rivaled citywide events like the World Series or presidential visits.
• The Helicopter Play became a staple of motivational highlight reels and was cited by Elway as his most “all-in” football moment.

Legacy Reflections

“In a game that had everything—legacy, leadership, and grit—Super Bowl XXXII delivered a finale worthy of a Hollywood script,” Dr. Tate reflected. “It wasn’t just the end of a game; it was the rewriting of football history.”

Final Takeaway

Super Bowl XXXII is more than just a win on the scoreboard—it’s a mythical turning point for the NFL and for one of its most storied quarterbacks. It proved that perseverance, heart, and unrelenting drive can not only reshape legacies, but inspire generations.