He played collegiately for the University of Texas where he was second-team All-SWC as a junior, even playing with an injury, but missed six games with a knee injury as a senior. He also played his sophomore season with an injured shoulder and broke his leg in the Orange Bowl against future teammate Joe Namath and the Crimson Tide[1]
He played for the AFL's Jets through 1969, earning first team All-Pro honors that year, and then for the National Football League Jets from 1970 through 1973. He was a Pro-Bowler three years in a row from 1968 to 1970 and was second-team-team All-NFL in 1970 and the team's MVP.[1] In 1971, he suffered a knee injury that ended his season, and eventually his career. He came back in 1972, but over the next two seasons his production was down and he suffered further injuries.[1]
Instead of returning to the Jets, Elliott sought a bigger paycheck with the New York Stars of the World Football League in 1974. He made the All-WFL team, but the league folded after only 13 games and Elliott never got all the money he was promised.[3][1]
Personal life
Following his football career, he served as a sheriff in Texas and later established an oilfield service company with his wife. John Elliott died of cancer at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston on November 11, 2010.