What is football without Peyton Manning because Peyton Manning is Football. With18 years in the NFL, the younger generations don't know the NFL without Peyton Manning. Before the NFL there were his years dominating college football at the University of Tennessee. I was blessed to watch him from the start of his monumental career. I've been a fan since he played for Tennessee. It has been a privilege to watch one of the greatest players to ever play the game, to watch the person that helped to make the NFL what it is today.
Manning came into the NFL as the first pick in the 1998 draft. He started his career with the Indianapolis Colts. During his tenure with the Colts, he revived an organization and made it a championship caliber team. From 1998-2011, Manning won eight division championships, two AFC championships, made two Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl victory in the pouring rain against the Chicago Bears and four NFL MVP titles. Also creating one of the greatest rivalries in sports: Manning v Brady. A game that became one of the most highly anticipated and thrilling games for the past 15 years. In the playoffs, everyone looked forward to that matchup because you knew it would never disappoint and would keep you at the edge of your seat for the entire game and sometimes longer.
While with the Colts, the world was able to witness one of the greatest masterminds in football grow overtime, evolving the NFL every step of the way. When Manning first entered the NFL not many were aware of his high football IQ but that quickly changed. Saying Manning worked hard everyday is an extreme understatement because day in and day out he did everything could to master his craft and to make sure he competed everyday at the highest level he could. Manning built Lucas Oil Stadium with his success and did it surrounded by teammates that became great because of him. Manning made the people around him better, because everyone wanted to work as hard as he did.
Unfortunately, circumstances brought Manning's time at Indy to an end and the organization that was thriving because of him released him. At that time he was already considered one of the best but with the neck injury the Colts thought it would be best to move on. This would prove to be a welcomed change for Manning. Manning would sign with the Denver Broncos and would rebound from an injury that had people doubting him, only to continue to add to his already elaborate resume.
During Manning's four years with the Broncos, he led them to two Super Bowl appearances, received his fifth NFL MVP, which is the most by any NFL player and in the final game of his career he won another Super Bowl While with the Broncos, Manning shattered many NFL records leaving his mark on the game for years to come.
Manning has a long list of records but the most notable ones include: being the first quarterback to have 200 career wins, being named to 14 Pro Bowls, having 14 4,000 yard passing seasons, becoming the all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes, having the most passing touchdowns and passing yards in one season and having the most games with at least 400 yards passing. Manning is the epitome of greatness.
Manning's career has surpassed everyone expectations. On this day March 7, 2016, Manning has called it a career. It is sad to know Manning will never step out on that field again, that his Super Bowl victory was last time we would all witness him throw the ball but what a way to go out : The Champion of the World.
There will never be another Peyton Manning. No one will ever come close. It has been a privilege and an honor to watch Manning's entire career unfold and become a legacy. For years to come kids will strive to be like Manning and that will make the NFL great. If only we could have an NFL full of Peyton Manning's but knowing that there will be countless players working to be like him means the NFL will only continue to grow. The NFL will never be the same without Peyton Manning but he has left an everlasting legacy. Thank you Peyton for the memories, the excitement and for letting me witness greatness. You will be missed on that field come August! I will forever be a fan! Congrats on an illustrious career. Hope to see you involved in football again real soon as a coach or a commentator! Omaha!
