Legendary NFL quarterback John Elway reveals rare condition left him unable to hold a football

John Elway has revealed that a rare hand condition took away his ability to hold a football.

The legendary NFL quarterback, who led the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl triumphs, was diagnosed with Dupuytren’s contracture in 2019 after experiencing symptoms in his 50s.

And he shared in a new interview that the condition – which causes one or more fingers to bend towards the palm – at one point prevented him from taking part in his favorite sport.

‘Even though I wasn’t playing [in the NFL] anymore, I still liked to be able to throw the football around and I eventually couldn’t do that,’ the 64-year-old told PEOPLE. ‘So I was like, there’s got to be something wrong here.’

Elway, who added that he first noticed something was wrong when he couldn’t lay his hand flat on a desk, spoke about his initial concern with his hand condition.

‘You’re kind of like, what’s going on? I made a living throwing a football, and so now all of a sudden my right hand’s constricting and I can’t get it on a football,’ he added. ‘So, I did worry a little bit but it’s also comforting to kind of know what it is.’

Elway won two Super Bowls with the Broncos, including Super Bow XXXII against the Packers, which he is seen celebrating above

According to the Mayo Clinic, Dupuytren’s is caused by knots of tissue that form under the skin, which creates a thick ‘cord’ and can bend the fingers.

And while there is no cure for the condition, treatment can help relieve symptoms – and Elway is now back to holding a football.

‘I was back on the golf course in about a week,’ Elway said of using a treatment called Xiaflex.

‘So you figure a week to two weeks is the recovery time rather than six to eight weeks when it comes down to surgery.’

Elway served as the Broncos’ general manager from 2011 to 2021 (and as a consultant in 2022), but saw his time with the organization end with the team sold to new owners.