NFL Legend Couldn’t Hold a Football — He Explains What Happened

Published: December 6, 2024

NFL Legend Couldn’t Hold a Football — He Explains What Happened

By Movieguide® Contributor

John Elway can finally hold a football again.

In 2019, he was diagnosed with a rare hand condition that left him unable to throw a football.

“Even though I wasn’t playing anymore, I still liked to be able to throw the football around and I eventually couldn’t do that,” he told PEOPLE. “So I was like, there’s got to be something wrong here.”

Elway was diagnosed with Dupuytren’s contracture, “an abnormal thickening of the skin in the palm of the hand” which can “cause one or more fingers to curl (contract) or pull in toward the palm,” John Hopkins Medicine said.

“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,” the Hall of Famer said. “So, I did worry a little bit but it’s also comforting to kind of know what it is.”

“It’s uncomfortable not knowing something,” Elway added, “but once you understand it and with facts on hand, you can start that journey of finding your best option.”

Elway, who played in the NFL from 1983 to 1998, did not want to have surgery and decided to try Xiaflex, the only FDA-approved drug for the condition.

“They give you a shot in your hand. Dupuytren’s is a collagen buildup around the tendons in your hand so the Xiaflex can break that down, and 24 hours later you’re able to release that finger. And I was back on the golf course in about a week,” he explained. “So you figure a week to two weeks is the recovery time rather than six to eight weeks when it comes down to surgery.”

“It’s been tremendous and I was able to get my hand back on the football,” he added. “It’s good to know that you’re going to be able to shake a hand and live everyday life with not many inconveniences.”

The best part about finding a non-surgical treatment that works for him is getting to help others. ESPN reported that the condition may affect 16 million Americans.

“I felt like I’ve been able to help a lot of people with this,” he explained. “You’re not alone. It is something that obviously we all wish we didn’t have, but it’s nice to know that you’re not the only one out there that experiences this condition.”

“When I learned that nonsurgical options were available, it was a total game changer,” he posted on Instagram.

“The earlier you get on it, the better chances of success you have,” he added. “So even though I waited longer than I probably should have, I’m encouraging people that if they’re experiencing the constriction in their hands to go see a hand specialist and stay on top of it.”