Horseface "deferred" his 1998 $1.45 million bonus until March of 1999. This allowed them to sign Neil Smith. He conveniently retired on May 2nd, 1999 AFTER he got his bonus money.
They deliberately pushed part of his 1998 salary ahead a season...knowing full well he was going to retire after getting it.
This was only part of of the scam...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elway-d...million-bonus/