John Elway = Han Solo
If there’s anyone down at Dove Valley who could take the Millennium Falcon on the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, it’s John Elway. Translation: Han Solo and Elway have guts.
They’re both gunslingers (Solo offs a bounty hunter in cold blood, Elway did the same to the Browns on more than one occasion), they play things fast and loose, even if it gets them into hot water once in a while.
Solo isn’t afraid to tell the Galactic Empire to stick it where the sun don’t shine, just like Elway told the Colts.
Their brazen style will get them frozen in carbonite or shelved for four games due to a biceps injury, but it’s also what helps them bring down the shield generator or helicopter for a critical first down in the Super Bowl.
Solo is a central character through the first trilogy and into the sequel trilogy, much like Elway is having a second life as an executive.
At the end of the day, you know you’re going to get a win with them on your side and you know they’re going to go home with the girl. Every red-blooded American man secretly wants to be Elway and Solo.
