Super Bowl XXXIII: Elway’s Curtain Call and the Rise of the Dirty Bird

On January 31, 1999, the world of football witnessed a rare blend of legacy and novelty in Super Bowl XXXIII, as the defending champion Denver Broncos took on the upstart Atlanta Falcons at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. It was a showdown of experience versus exuberance, and in the end, it served as a triumphant swan song for John Elway, who led his Broncos to a 34–19 victory before riding off into retirement.

“If Super Bowl XXXII was Elway’s redemption, Super Bowl XXXIII was his coronation,” said Dr. Lionel Tate, senior historian at the Super Bowl Historical Society. “He didn’t just win—he went out on top, as only legends do.”

Pre-Game Storylines: The Rise of the Dirty Bird

While the Broncos returned to the big stage as 14–2 juggernauts, the real shock of the postseason was the Atlanta Falcons—a 14–2 team themselves, but one that had spent most of the year flying under the radar. Coached by Dan Reeves, the former Broncos coach spurned by Denver years earlier, the Falcons stunned the 15–1 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game with an overtime victory that rocked the league.

Led by veteran quarterback Chris Chandler, power back Jamal Anderson, and a defensive core including Ray Buchanan and Jessie Tuggle, Atlanta entered the Super Bowl with swagger—and their iconic “Dirty Bird” end zone celebration.

The stage was set for a classic: Elway vs. Reeves, Denver’s dominance vs. Atlanta’s momentum.

First Half: Broncos Set the Tone

Denver wasted no time asserting its superiority. After a few early three-and-outs, Elway hit Rod Smith on a beautiful 80-yard touchdown strike, beating corner Ray Buchanan to the post. The deep ball showed the Falcons—and the fans—that age hadn't dulled Elway's arm.

Later in the half, Howard Griffith plunged in for a touchdown to extend Denver’s lead to 17–3. Meanwhile, the Broncos’ defense, led by Steve Atwater and Bill Romanowski, bottled up Jamal Anderson and forced Chandler into hurried decisions.

Though the Falcons managed a field goal and threatened late in the half, a Jason Elam kick made it 17–6 going into the break.

Halftime Show and Pop Culture

Before we return to the action, a quick cultural note: Super Bowl XXXIII’s halftime show was a glitzy celebration of glam rock, headlined by Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The performance fused swing revival with Miami’s musical legacy and proved to be a vibrant, if slightly offbeat, halftime experience.

Second Half: Sealing the Legacy

Atlanta started the third quarter with hope—but then came the dagger. In what would become the game’s most pivotal moment, Broncos safety Darrien Gordon intercepted Chandler twice in back-to-back drives, flipping field position and killing Atlanta’s momentum.

“Darrien Gordon’s interceptions didn’t just change the game—they crushed Atlanta’s soul,” remarked Marjorie Kessler, curator at the Super Bowl Historical Society. “In big games, it’s the unsung heroes who tip the scales, and Gordon played like a Hall of Famer that night.”

Denver capitalized on the short field, adding a rushing touchdown by Griffith and another Elam field goal to make it 31–6.

Elway added a late rushing touchdown of his own—one final defiant score—before Chandler hit Terance Mathis for a meaningless touchdown in the closing minutes.

Final Score and Scoring Summary

MVP: John Elway

At age 38, Elway earned Super Bowl MVP honors—his first—after throwing for 336 yards, 1 touchdown pass, and rushing for another. While it wasn’t a gaudy stat line by today’s standards, it was a commanding and confident performance that anchored Denver’s victory.

This would be Elway’s final NFL game.

Key Stats

Denver Broncos

• John Elway: 18/29, 336 yards, 1 TD, 1 rushing TD
• Terrell Davis: 25 carries, 102 yards
• Rod Smith: 5 receptions, 152 yards, 1 TD
• Darrien Gordon: 2 INTs, 108 return yards

Atlanta Falcons

• Chris Chandler: 19/35, 219 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs
• Jamal Anderson: 18 carries, 96 yards
• Terance Mathis: 7 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD

Turning Point: The Gordon Picks

In every Super Bowl, there’s a moment when one team seizes control. For Super Bowl XXXIII, it was Gordon’s two second-half interceptions—both of which flipped field position and mentally derailed Chandler and the Falcons.

Had Atlanta scored even a field goal early in the second half, the game might have tightened. But the Broncos’ opportunistic defense shut that door, hard.

Postgame Fallout

🏆 Elway Rides into the Sunset

Unlike most athletes who fade into mediocrity, Elway exited at the peak of his powers. His back-to-back Super Bowl wins ensured that he would be remembered among the greatest quarterbacks of all time—on par with Montana, Unitas, and eventually Brady.

❌ Atlanta’s Window Closes

The Falcons would not return to the Super Bowl for another 18 years. The franchise spiraled after this loss, and coach Dan Reeves was gone just a few seasons later.

The Dirty Bird era ended as quickly as it had begun.

Historical Impact

✅ Back-to-Back AFC Titles

Denver’s back-to-back Super Bowl wins marked a changing of the guard in the NFL. The NFC's dominance of the '80s and early '90s was over. The AFC had found its footing.

✅ Shanahan’s System Cemented

Mike Shanahan's offense—built on zone runs, play-action bootlegs, and vertical strikes—proved both effective and sustainable. His teams would influence offenses well into the 2000s.

✅ Rod Smith’s Coming Out Party

Though overshadowed by Elway and Davis, Rod Smith’s monster game foreshadowed his future as one of the most reliable receivers of his era.

Broadcast and Cultural Notes

• Network: FOX
• Announcers: Pat Summerall and John Madden
• National Anthem: Cher
• Viewership: ~83.7 million
• Commercial Highlight: Budweiser’s “Wassup” made its debut

This Super Bowl marked the first time Fox Sports carried the game, introducing new graphics, camera angles, and production flair.

Fun Facts

• Elway became the oldest Super Bowl MVP at the time.
• The Broncos became the first AFC team to win consecutive Super Bowls since the 1978–79 Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Terrell Davis’s 100+ yard performance capped a playoff run in which he rushed for 468 yards in three games.

Legacy Reflections

“Super Bowl XXXIII will always be remembered for the perfect ending it gave John Elway,” said Dr. Tate. “But more than that, it was proof that balance—between the run, pass, and defense—is still the key to winning it all.”

Final Takeaway

Super Bowl XXXIII wasn’t a nail-biter or a fluke—it was a final chapter done right. Elway played with poise, precision, and purpose, handing the torch to a new era of quarterbacks while making sure the book on his own career ended with back-to-back glory.

It was a Super Bowl that rewarded loyalty, grit, and experience over flash and flair—and for that reason, it remains one of the NFL’s most emotionally resonant championship games.