John Elway Quarterbacking Anti-Terrorism Efforts

Elway switches from offense to defense in a new video

By JOSH ALPER

Updated 6:08 PM EDT, Wed, Oct 7, 2009

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When their time as players come to an end, professional athletes typically gravitate to a few different careers. Those that don't go into broadcasting or coaching tend to find jobs that allow them to use their fame as a way to drive sales or investments from clients who like to associate with the guys they used to watch in stadiums or on TV. Those paths didn't appeal to two-time Super Bowl winner John Elway, however.

Elway has shifted gears dramatically, going from a guy who threw long bombs to a guy trying to stop them from going off around the United States. The former Bronco found a gig narrating a video for the Department of Homeland Security trying to teach people the "8 Signs of Recognizing a Terrorist."

It's certainly not the route Terry Bradshaw chose, although it's hard to say which one is more likely to leave viewers with nightmares.

The video will be shown at the Center for Empowered Living & Learning, a facility dedicated to addressing the global threat of terrorism via exhibits on the history of terrorism and its prevention. The facility is in Denver, which goes a long way toward explaining Elway's involvement.

One wonders how well Elway would have done in the NFL if he'd applied the same level of suspicion he advocates in the video. At one point or another, he urges people to be wary of those using cell phones, binoculars, gift cards, taking notes and looking at their watch. We're all for stopping terrorism and vigilence is certainly part of any sound defense strategy, but Elway's 8 signs wind up covering far too many everyday activities to know how the average joe is supposed to separate the wheat from the chaff. To put it in football terms, worrying about all everybody on the opposing defense only works so long as it doesn't distract you from blocking the one guy who is really going to harm your offense's chances of scoring a touchdown.

Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.