The Eighties in America - Salem Press (2009)

yards in seven straight seasons (1985-1991). Known
for his fourth-quarter heroics, he led the Broncos to
forty-seven comeback victories. He led the Broncos
to 148 wins, the most wins by any quarterback. Elway
is the only quarterback in the history of the NFL to
start in five Super Bowls. He threw for 1,128 yards in
those games, second only to Joe Montana’s 1,142
yards in Super Bowl competition.
Elway was inducted into the College Football Hall
of Fame in 2000 and into the Pro Football Hall of
Fame in 2004. In 2005, he was selected as one of the
fifty greatest quarterbacks to play in the NFL, rank-
ing third behind Johnny Unitas and Montana.

Further Reading
Latimer, Clay. John Elway: Armed and Dangerous.
Lenexa, Kans.: Addax, 2002.
Rosato, Bob, and Clay Latimer.John Elway. Dallas:
Beckett, 1999.
Alvin K. Benson

See also Football; Jackson, Bo; Sports.

Empire Strikes Back, The

Identification Science-fiction film

Director Irvin Kershner (1923- )

Authors Story by George Lucas (1944- );

screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan (1949- )

and Leigh Brackett (1915-1978)

Date Released on May 21, 1980

The Empire Strikes Backcontinued the massive success

of theStar Warsfranchise, establishing that the first film’s

popularity had not been a fluke. It reinforced Hollywood

trends that were just beginning to be established in reaction

toStar Wars’s success, including a drive to create expen-

sive, effects-driven spectacles and to exploit the merchandis-

ing opportunities such spectacles could generate.

The Empire Strikes Back(1980) was the middle film of

the firstStar Warstrilogy (1977-1983). The first film,

initially released asStar Warsand later retitledA New

Hope, had become a massive hit in 1977-1978. It had

remained in American first-run theaters for almost a

year, eventually earning more than $215 million do-

mestically and more than one-half billion dollars

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Empire Strikes Back, The The Eighties in America

Denver Bronco John Elway looks for an open receiver downfield during the 1987 AFC Championship game against the Cleveland Browns.
(AP/Wide World Photos)