Elvis Grbac

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Elvis Grbac
Date of birth	August 13, 1970
Place of birth	Cleveland, Ohio
Position(s)	Quarterback
College	University of Michigan
NFL Draft	1993 / Round 8
Statistics	Pro Football Reference
Team(s)
1993-1996 1997-2000 2001	San Francisco 49ers Kansas City Chiefs Baltimore Ravens

Elvis Grbac (born August 13, 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a former NFL quarterback.

[edit] College career

Grbac played college football at the University of Michigan from 1989 to 1992. He led the Wolverines to two Rose Bowls in 1991 and 1992 and is best remembered for throwing to wide receiver Desmond Howard during his Heisman-winning campaign in 1991. Grbac finished his career at Michigan as the school's all-time leader in passing attempts (835), completions (522), passing yards (6,460), and passing touchdowns (71). These marks were later broken by John Navarre; current Michigan QB Chad Henne has also passed Grbac in attempts, completions, and yards.

[edit] NFL career

Grbac played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Baltimore Ravens before unexpectedly retiring in 2001 when the Ravens cut him in a salary cap move after he refused to renegotiate his contract. Grbac retired because he did not want to uproot his family again to move to another city. Many speculated he retired in part because of the treatment he received by the Baltimore fans and press. At the time of his retirement, Grbac had been in negotiations with the Denver Broncos. Denver had an interest in bringing on Grbac to backup starting QB Brian Griese. However, in the end, Grbac opted for retirement.

The Baltimore Ravens were defending Super Bowl champions when Grbac replaced quarterback Trent Dilfer at the start of the 2001 season. Grbac posted mediocre passing statistics that year, but still managed to lead the Ravens to a 10-6 regular season record and a playoff win over the Miami Dolphins before losing in the second round to the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the season, he was viciously taunted by the fans and harshly criticized by the Baltimore press, who felt that the team should have kept Dilfer as the starter. When Grbac was injured midway through the season and replaced by backup Randall Cunningham, the popular taunt "Elvis has left the building" was used. Grbac was jeered upon his return to the lineup after Cunningham went 2-0 as a starter.

Grbac was drafted in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the 49ers. He served as Steve Young's backup from 1994 to 1996. In 1997, Grbac signed with the Chiefs to be their starting quarterback. His best season statistically came in 2000 when he passed for 4,169 yards and 28 touchdowns with a passer rating of 89.9.