This week we have dedicated several articles to remembering a handful of the big names that decided it was time to move on from their respective sports. Each piece will focus on one individual, and incorporate how the author will remember that specific player.
All the players on this list have either just finished their last season, or are currently playing in what they have said would be their last season.
We wrap the series up with none other than the sheriff himself. Peyton Manning.
Just like countless other fans of the sport, I spent numerous Sundays, Thursdays, and Mondays watching Peyton Manning line up behind the line of scrimmage calling plays. Whether playing in Colts’ colors or those of the team literally a mile above the rest, there was never any doubt who the most beloved player on the field was. Not everyone was a fan of his, but let’s be honest here for a second…there has never been a player who has been the face of the NFL like Peyton Manning.
We all have our favorite games, moments, plays and drives with Manning at the helm. For me, I can’t really narrow it down. The first full NFL game that I watched with my father was when the Cowboys upset Manning in Tony Romo’s second start. There were the four Super Bowls appearances, and of course the two that he won. I honestly can’t narrow it down. Well except for one moment, while not my favorite, will be stuck in my memory forever. It wasn’t a moment that took place on the gridiron. It was after the worst season in his career. It wasn’t much of a season considering that he missed all of it due to a neck injury.
I am of course referring to the press conference that he held to address the media after it was announced that the Colts had released him in 2012. There are few moments in sports that shake me emotionally, that cause me to sit down and just let out a breath of disbelief, but this was one of them. Seeing a grown man, who had won the super bowl just several years prior, who had garnered four MVP awards over his career at that point, was standing in front of a crowd of reporters and failing to hold himself together.
Then it was off to Denver, where Peyton wasn’t done making history. He would lose in a double overtime thriller to the Ravens in the second round of the playoffs his first year, but then he came back with a vengeance the following year.
In his season opener, Peyton threw for seven touchdowns against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens. He would end the season breaking Tom Brady’s regular season touchdown record of 50 touchdown passes, by recording 55 touchdown passes. That averages out to about 3.43 a game (so like 3 or 4 per game), and this historic performance resulted in a 5th MVP award for the man known as the “Sheriff”. Sadly his historic season had to end in a historic Super Bowl blowout to the Seattle Seahawks.
Then in 2014, Manning made history again. He became the NFL’s all time leader in touchdown passes after breaking Brett Favre’s record of 508 TD’s, and he also joined Favre as one of the only quarterbacks in history to beat all 32 NFL teams. After losing in the second round of the playoffs to his former team, Indianapolis, it was revealed that Manning had been playing through a shoulder injury during the latter part of the regular season.
The following year would be his swan song to the sport that he had played his entire life. Number 18 would be entering his 18th season in the NFL. It would be a rough season for the veteran signal caller, where Manning posted his worst QB rating of his entire career and threw nine touchdowns to 17 interceptions over 10 games. There was a ton of criticism towards Manning that he was “washed up”, “finished”, and the never ending slew of arm strength comments. However, the Broncos found themselves in the AFC championship game, against Manning’s longtime rival, Tom Brady.
Manning would end up with the last laugh between the two potential Greatest of All Time’s (with a lot of help from that crushing Denver defense). Then of course there was Super Bowl 50.
Are sports rigged? Think about it. The 50th edition of the NFL’s crowned jewel, where the struggling veteran, who faced criticism all season long, would face the 15-1 Carolina Panthers, the overwhelming favorites who had dominated the post-season to that point. And somehow Peyton was the one hoisting the Lombardi trophy as the confetti fell. Sports are rigged.
To me, he’s the greatest of all time. He’s a friend of mine, and someone that I always watch and admire, because he always wants to improve, he always wants to get better, and he doesn’t settle for anything less than the best. So, when you watch the best and you’re able to learn from the best, hopefully that helps me get better.
—Tom Brady, on Peyton Manning in 2011.[189]
I could write a novel on how great Peyton Williams Manning was both on and off the field (if someone hasn’t already). He’s been the beloved face of the National Football League for so long, he’s carried himself with class during wins and losses, he’s overcome criticism and injury to be great, he’s sold more Papa John’s pizza than anyone else, and he’s a shoe in for the hall of fame in Canton, Ohio as soon as he’s eligible.
Peyton, you’ve changed the game for the better. While not everyone will agree with me, I believe that you are one of the two best quarterbacks to ever sling the ball. You had to overcome an injury that would side line anyone that didn’t absolutely revere the game of football. You came back and made history. You overcame all of the criticism and the noise and never crumbled. You always took responsibility, even when you didn’t have to. Mr. Manning, I have enjoyed watching you play, and all of the fans will miss seeing you play on Sundays. I cannot wait to see what you take on next.
Featured image source: Austin Brink https://vimeo.com/124074315