Imagine gripping a football—something you’ve done thousands of times, for decades—only to find your fingers won’t fully straighten or your grip isn’t as strong as it used to be. For NFL legend and two-time Super Bowl champion John Elway, this became a reality when he was diagnosed with Dupuytren’s contracture in 2004.

This rare hand condition, which affects only about 5% of people, according to the Cleveland Clinic, causes a buildup of collagen beneath the skin of the palm. Over time, this forms a rope-like cord that restricts hand movement, making simple tasks—such as writing, shaking hands or holding larger objects—frustratingly difficult. Despite there being no cure, Elway has tackled this challenge with the same determination he brought to the football field.

After a storied NFL career that saw him retire in 1999 as the second-most prolific passer in history, Elway channels his energy into family, business ventures and raising awareness about Dupuytren’s. In a recent interview with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest, he shared his personal journey—from using Xiaflex, the only FDA-approved non-surgical treatment, to overcoming daily challenges—and offered life-changing advice to others navigating this condition.

This interview has been edited for length.

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The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Thanks for talking with us about this, John. What was it like when you first started noticing symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture, and how has it impacted your daily life?

John Elway: When I first found out, I had some constriction in my hand. I couldn’t put my hand flat on a table. It wasn’t too painful, but it was just something that was really becoming an annoyance. I was kind of curious to see what it was.

I went to our trainer when I was with the Broncos. He sent me to a hand specialist, and that’s when I was diagnosed with Dupuytren’s contracture. It’s something that continues to get gradually worse over time, so I really had two options. There was a surgical option or a non-surgical option, which is the one that I chose. Having played in the NFL, and having had plenty of surgeries, anytime I could avoid surgery, I did. So I chose to go non-surgical with Xiaflex, which they inject into your hand. The recovery time is much shorter. I was back playing golf within a week. Even though you never get rid of the condition, it relieved the constriction and was able to break down the cords in my hand to where I was able to put my hands flat on the table again.

The Healthy: You are an NFL legend, regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the sport. But as someone who made a career with your hands, how did the condition affect your mindset and connection to some of your past achievements?

John Elway: I think that was something that was most bothersome for me: The fact that I was constricting. I’m fortunate to have four beautiful kids and 10 grandkids. To be able to play, when I grabbed a football, I couldn’t really grab the football and get my palm on the football—and really throw it. That’s where it started being an annoyance and really kind of bothered me.

There’s 5% of the population that has this condition and really don’t know what it is. Hopefully, we can get them to actually go to FindAHandSpecialist.com and find somebody that is a hand specialist to see if this is what they’re experiencing. I’m happy to be able to help people understand what’s going on with their hands, because it’s really kind of an unknown condition. 

The Healthy: You mentioned waiting some time before seeking treatment. What advice would you give to others who might be hesitant to kind of seek treatment for similar conditions?

John Elway: I probably waited a couple years too long. The sooner you get to it and get diagnosed, I think it’s a better situation, because it only gets worse with time. It’s not something that’s curable, but it’s something that you can do something about and release some of those symptoms. 

The Healthy: It’s been five years since your initial treatment. Can you describe a little bit more about how the procedure [with Xiaflex] improved your hand functionality over time and your quality of life?

John Elway: The procedure was relatively easy. I went in and it was really over in 24 hours. I went in [to the doctor] and had the injection one day. I went in the next day, and they were able to release my hand. At that point in time, I was able to put my hand again flat on a table, to where they were able to break down that collagen in my hand. And so it’s something that was relatively quick and relatively easy. 

The Healthy: With Dupuyten’s being a progressive condition, how do you manage your overall hand health and monitor your changes? 

John Elway: I continue to just watch it. I’ve actually had another cord in my right hand that is now starting to constrict a little bit, so I will be heading back to the hand specialist. Like anything, the sooner the better. So I encourage people who experience these conditions to see [a] hand specialist.

The Healthy: How has sharing your story over the years helped you connect with others who you know face similar challenges? 

John Elway: I think that’s the neatest thing I’ve experienced with this. I think that it’s amazing how many people have come up and talked to me about it—how many people are experiencing the condition. It makes me feel good that hopefully I’m helping people and making their daily lives better.

The Healthy: As a Hall of Famer and a public figure, how has your experience with Dupuytren’s shaped your perspective on resilience and adapting to challenges overall?

John Elway: That is kind of life, right? Being a football player and playing a game for an occupation, things change daily, weekly and yearly. You have challenges every single day. There’s bumps in the road for everybody, and we continue to go through those. It’s how you handle those bumps in the roads and stay positive. In life, believe in good things, then good things will happen.

The Healthy: What are you devoting your time to these days?

John Elway: I’m getting up there in age. It’s hard to believe I am where I am. I was very fortunate to be able to play in the NFL and then have a business life after that. Where I’m at in life now is trying to reap some of the rewards of all the hard work that I’ve put in. I like to play a lot of golf. That gets my competitive nature and juices flowing. No matter how old you are, you never lose those competitive juices. 

 I’ve got four beautiful kids and 10 grandkids, so I get a chance to spend a lot of time with them, but really kind of enjoy life and stay active. 

The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: What’s one health or self care habit you refuse to skip?

John Elway:  I have to make sure I stay active. I make sure I get to the gym three times a week, at least. Even though it’s not fun to do and it gets harder the older we get, I think it’s probably one of the most important things that we can do. Getting old is not for the weak. You have to continue to take care of that body and I think the best way to do that is in the gym.

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