The myth says “98 yards.” But 98 1/2 is more accurate. And with two decades of hindsight, the legend has only grown.
Twenty years ago today John Elway led “The Drive,” the Broncos’ legendary touchdown march that propelled them to an improbable 23-20 overtime victory over the Browns to win the AFC championship in Cleveland.
Of Elway’s 47 career comeback drives, one immediately comes to mind – the 15 plays in miserable, subzero wind chill, before 79,915 bone-throwing fans.
It tied the game and defined careers.
“What were the odds, 99.99-to-1? It was incredible,” Dave Adolph, the Browns’ defensive coordinator that day, told The Denver Post in 2004.
“You gain respect when you have a comeback like that,” Elway has said.
Until Mark Jackson’s 5-yard TD catch and Rich Karlis’ extra point tied the game late in the fourth quarter, it was just a drive. Forevermore, it’s The Drive.
