HIS NUMBER IS UP; `THERE'S NO REAL UPSIDE TO COMING BACK,' ELWAY SAYS.

Byline: John Branch Colorado Springs Gazette

A press conference this week will bring the news Denver Broncos fans had hoped wouldn't come for at least another year: Quarterback John Elway is quitting after 16 seasons and two Super Bowl championships.

``For so many years, everything in my family revolved around me,'' Elway told a Denver television station Saturday. ``It's time for that to change. I really accomplished everything I wanted to. There's no real upside to coming back.''

Elway made the comments after playing golf at Pebble Beach.

The announcement is expected to come Monday afternoon, but that may get pushed back until Tuesday or Wednesday, as the Broncos and Elway try to distance the announcement from last week's shootings at Littleton's Columbine High.

The team is apparently letting Elway do all the talking about his retirement plans. Broncos officials have not confirmed or denied the reports, and team spokesmen and owner Pat Bowlen did not return phone calls.

Doors at Broncos headquarters in Arapahoe County were locked Saturday afternoon, the parking lot empty.

Coach Mike Shanahan is talking, and even he's not saying much.

``I've talked to (Elway) and he told me what he's going to do,'' Shanahan told the Associated Press. ``But I'm not going to comment. I'm going to let John make his announcement. I understand he may be doing something on Monday. I'll have something to say then.''

The Broncos, meanwhile, have reportedly signed quarterback Chris Miller to an undisclosed contract. Miller has been out of football since 1995, when a series of concussions forced him from the sport, but he is expected to serve as the backup to Bubby Brister, the first full-time starting quarterback other than Elway the Broncos will have had since Ronald Reagan's first term.

There are many reasons for Elway to retire. But apparently the one that seemed to drive him most for a comeback - a chance at a third straight Super Bowl title - wasn't enough incentive.

Elway will be 39 in June, and he has been sacked more than any quarterback in NFL history. Elway's wife, Janet, had colon surgery last year, putting a scare into John and their family. Elway said a couple months ago that his wife is still recovering. Her health may have been the wild card to his retirement.

Elway certainly is not hurting for money. His name is plastered on car dealerships across Denver, and he is due a lot more money from the Broncos, thanks to continually deferring parts of his salary to squeeze more talent onto the roster.

Elway also has a slew of options in front of him. He might become a part-owner of the Broncos, or the team may create a position for him to work for the organization.

He is reportedly considered a candidate for the ``Monday Night Football'' booth. He is a scratch golfer and will likely play the growing Celebrity Tour on his way to the Senior PGA Tour - ala John Brodie - 11 years from now.

And Elway has never discounted the idea of politics, although he has said he hates the scrutiny that comes with public office, knowing he could run for governor any time.

And it wouldn't take him four tries to win.

During the NFL draft last weekend, Shanahan said he expected Elway to announce his decision before minicamp, which opens Friday. It wasn't the one Shanahan wanted to hear, but he was bracing for it.

The coach has said if his Hall of Fame-bound quarterback retired, he would be confident turning to veteran Bubby Brister as his new starter.

Brister insists Elway has not confided in him about his plans. In fact, of a dozen or so Broncos players interviewed during informal workouts the past two weeks, none said he knew Elway's intentions.

``If it is true, then it's the opportunity of a lifetime, that's for sure,'' Brister told the Denver Post. ``I'm going to miss John being around just like everybody else because we have such a great relationship.

``By no means am I John Elway. I just think if I can fill my own shoes that will be good enough to get us where we want to go.''

Reaction from around the league has been similar: nothing but respect.

``I'm glad to see him retire as a champion,'' Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino said. ``I'm sure it was a tough decision, knowing how much John enjoys competing on the football field, but I know he did what was best for him and his family.''

``Whenever you lose a player of that magnitude, we all suffer,'' Jacksonville Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin said.

``He's got to be the most durable quarterback ever,'' former Broncos coach Wade Phillips said. ``He's the Lou Gehrig of that position.''

``John Elway is the Denver Broncos,'' former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann once said. ``When you turn on the TV and the Denver Broncos are playing, you expect to see John Elway playing.''

Not anymore.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

JOHN ELWAY`S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

5: Super Bowl starts

2: Super Bowl rings

1: Super Bowl MVP 

5-1: AFC title games

16: NFL Seasons

1: NFL MVP (1987)

9: Pro Bowls

55: Broncos records

47: 4th-quarter comebacks

148: Regular season wins

300: Regular season TDs

27: Postseason TDs

51,475: Passing yards

3,407: Rushing yards

54,882: All-purpose yards

12: 3,000 yard seasons

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) John Elway celebrates the Broncos' 34-19 win over Atlanta in Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami last January, his final game.

John Gaps III/Associated Press

(2) ``For so many years, everything in my family revolved around me. It's time for that to change. I really accomplished everything I wanted to. There's no real upside to coming back.''

- John Elway

Hans Deryk/Associated Press