PEYTON
MANNING
MANNING
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1976, Peyton Manning became one of the greatest quarterbacks the NFL
has ever seen and helped transform the league into the
high-powered offensive showcase it is today.
high-powered offensive showcase it is today.
A Footballing family and
Tennessee triumphs
Tennessee triumphs
Football was always in the blood of the Manning family.
Peyton’s father Archie was an NFL quarterback that played in the league for 14 years, suiting up for the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings. Eli, Peyton’s younger brother, also played in the NFL, quarterbacking the New York Giants for 16 years and winning two Super Bowls of his own.
As a result of Archie’s footballing career, many people were surprised when Peyton decided, after excelling as a high school quarterback for Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, to play college football at the University of Tennessee, instead of his father’s old school, Ole Miss.
But his on-field performances at Tennessee, throwing for over 11,000 yards and 89 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Volunteers, demonstrated he made the correct choice. In his stellar senior (fourth and final) year, he racked up 36 touchdown passes and 3,819 passing yards, making him one of the top prospects heading into the 1998 NFL Draft.
There was debate surrounding who should be the first overall selection in that year’s draft, Manning, or Washington State University quarterback, Ryan Leaf.
The Indianapolis Colts held the first overall pick in the draft, and Manning was their man. Leaf went to the San Diego Chargers one pick later and, combined with poor play and attitude issues, became one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
Peyton’s father Archie was an NFL quarterback that played in the league for 14 years, suiting up for the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings. Eli, Peyton’s younger brother, also played in the NFL, quarterbacking the New York Giants for 16 years and winning two Super Bowls of his own.
As a result of Archie’s footballing career, many people were surprised when Peyton decided, after excelling as a high school quarterback for Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, to play college football at the University of Tennessee, instead of his father’s old school, Ole Miss.
But his on-field performances at Tennessee, throwing for over 11,000 yards and 89 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Volunteers, demonstrated he made the correct choice. In his stellar senior (fourth and final) year, he racked up 36 touchdown passes and 3,819 passing yards, making him one of the top prospects heading into the 1998 NFL Draft.
There was debate surrounding who should be the first overall selection in that year’s draft, Manning, or Washington State University quarterback, Ryan Leaf.
The Indianapolis Colts held the first overall pick in the draft, and Manning was their man. Leaf went to the San Diego Chargers one pick later and, combined with poor play and attitude issues, became one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history.
Early inconsistencies in Indianapolis
Despite showing flashes in his first NFL campaign, Manning threw for a league-leading 28 interceptions -
a rookie record that still stands to this day. The next season would be much more successful for Manning
and the Colts, as the second-year signal caller led his team to a 13-3 record. Despite elimination from
the playoffs at the hands of the Tennessee Titans, Manning earned the first of his 14 NFL Pro Bowl
selections for his efforts that season.
Manning and the Colts made the playoffs in the 2000 season, but not in the 2001 season, and that year’s 6-10 record cost coach Jim Mora his job. His replacement was former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach, Tony Dungy.
Manning responded well to the change, marshalling the Colts to a 10-6 record and a return to the playoffs following the 2002 season, but they were eliminated in the Wild Card Round.
Manning and the Colts made the playoffs in the 2000 season, but not in the 2001 season, and that year’s 6-10 record cost coach Jim Mora his job. His replacement was former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach, Tony Dungy.
Manning responded well to the change, marshalling the Colts to a 10-6 record and a return to the playoffs following the 2002 season, but they were eliminated in the Wild Card Round.
Back-to-Back NFL MVPs and a
Super Bowl Champion
Super Bowl Champion
The Indianapolis Colts were an offensive juggernaut with Manning at the helm in 2003, and his prowess
was on full display during a Week 5 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Trailing by 21 points with
five minutes remaining, Manning orchestrated an incredible comeback that saw the Colts claim a 38-35 win
in overtime.
Manning would earn the first playoff win of his career after throwing five touchdown passes in a resounding 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card Round, and the Colts advanced to the AFC Championship Game, but were defeated by the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
Thanks to his 2003 season, Manning was named NFL MVP. He repeated this feat the following season after throwing a record-breaking 49 touchdown passes, besting the previous mark of 48 set by Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino.
However, the Colts again lost to the rival Patriots in the playoffs, and in the following 2005 season they still couldn’t reach a Super Bowl, as they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round.
Questions swirled around the Colts franchise, namely ones asking if Manning could ever win a Super Bowl. And after a 12-win season, the Colts advanced to another AFC Championship Game, only to face New England once more. The Patriots ran out to a 21-6 lead at halftime, but not to be deterred, Manning fought back and scored 32 second-half points. The Colts won, 38-34, and advanced to Super Bowl XLI.
There, Manning silenced the critics. After a cool, calm and collected performance, Manning was named Super Bowl MVP and Indianapolis defeated the Chicago Bears to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
Manning would earn the first playoff win of his career after throwing five touchdown passes in a resounding 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card Round, and the Colts advanced to the AFC Championship Game, but were defeated by the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
Thanks to his 2003 season, Manning was named NFL MVP. He repeated this feat the following season after throwing a record-breaking 49 touchdown passes, besting the previous mark of 48 set by Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino.
However, the Colts again lost to the rival Patriots in the playoffs, and in the following 2005 season they still couldn’t reach a Super Bowl, as they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round.
Questions swirled around the Colts franchise, namely ones asking if Manning could ever win a Super Bowl. And after a 12-win season, the Colts advanced to another AFC Championship Game, only to face New England once more. The Patriots ran out to a 21-6 lead at halftime, but not to be deterred, Manning fought back and scored 32 second-half points. The Colts won, 38-34, and advanced to Super Bowl XLI.
There, Manning silenced the critics. After a cool, calm and collected performance, Manning was named Super Bowl MVP and Indianapolis defeated the Chicago Bears to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
The Indianapolis Colts were an offensive juggernaut with Manning at the helm in 2003, and his prowess
was on full display during a Week 5 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Trailing by 21 points with
five minutes remaining, Manning orchestrated an incredible comeback that saw the Colts claim a 38-35 win
in overtime.
Manning would earn the first playoff win of his career after throwing five touchdown passes in a
resounding 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card Round, and the Colts advanced to the AFC
Championship Game, but were defeated by the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
Thanks to his 2003 season, Manning was named NFL MVP. He repeated this feat the following season after throwing a record-breaking 49 touchdown passes, besting the previous mark of 48 set by Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino.
However, the Colts again lost to the rival Patriots in the playoffs, and in the following 2005 season they still couldn’t reach a Super Bowl, as they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round.
Questions swirled around the Colts franchise, namely ones asking if Manning could ever win a Super Bowl. And after a 12-win season, the Colts advanced to another AFC Championship Game, only to face New England once more. The Patriots ran out to a 21-6 lead at halftime, but not to be deterred, Manning fought back and scored 32 second-half points. The Colts won, 38-34, and advanced to Super Bowl XLI.
There, Manning silenced the critics. After a cool, calm and collected performance, Manning was named Super Bowl MVP and Indianapolis defeated the Chicago Bears to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
Thanks to his 2003 season, Manning was named NFL MVP. He repeated this feat the following season after throwing a record-breaking 49 touchdown passes, besting the previous mark of 48 set by Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino.
However, the Colts again lost to the rival Patriots in the playoffs, and in the following 2005 season they still couldn’t reach a Super Bowl, as they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round.
Questions swirled around the Colts franchise, namely ones asking if Manning could ever win a Super Bowl. And after a 12-win season, the Colts advanced to another AFC Championship Game, only to face New England once more. The Patriots ran out to a 21-6 lead at halftime, but not to be deterred, Manning fought back and scored 32 second-half points. The Colts won, 38-34, and advanced to Super Bowl XLI.
There, Manning silenced the critics. After a cool, calm and collected performance, Manning was named Super Bowl MVP and Indianapolis defeated the Chicago Bears to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
The Real MVP
Manning and the Colts were unable to defend their title in the 2007 season, and the 2008 season was
monumental for different reasons.
Although the San Diego Chargers would eliminate Indianapolis in the Wild Card Round, Manning won a record-tying third MVP award, but head coach Tony Dungy retired.
Just one season after winning a third MVP, Manning won a then-record fourth, after leading the Colts to a 14-win season and throwing 33 touchdown passes.
Hoping to lift a second Super Bowl title, Manning’s dreams were dashed when the New Orleans Saints defeated Indianapolis 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV.
Naturally, Manning led the Colts to another postseason appearance following the 2010 season, and although he didn’t know it at the time, a narrow 17-16 loss to the New York Jets in the Wild Card Round would be his final game for the franchise.
After undergoing neck surgery in May 2011, attempting to help an injury that continued to bother him throughout the year, Manning missed the entire season. To make matters worse, the Colts won a mere two games in his absence, awarding them the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Indianapolis used it to select promising quarterback Andrew Luck, and Manning bid farewell to Colts fans in a tearful press conference, stating: “Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart.
“I truly have enjoyed being your quarterback.”
The Colts released Manning on March 7, 2012. Now a free agent, numerous teams were battling for the quarterback’s signature, but just a few weeks later, he announced he would be joining the Denver Broncos.
Although the San Diego Chargers would eliminate Indianapolis in the Wild Card Round, Manning won a record-tying third MVP award, but head coach Tony Dungy retired.
Just one season after winning a third MVP, Manning won a then-record fourth, after leading the Colts to a 14-win season and throwing 33 touchdown passes.
Hoping to lift a second Super Bowl title, Manning’s dreams were dashed when the New Orleans Saints defeated Indianapolis 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV.
Naturally, Manning led the Colts to another postseason appearance following the 2010 season, and although he didn’t know it at the time, a narrow 17-16 loss to the New York Jets in the Wild Card Round would be his final game for the franchise.
After undergoing neck surgery in May 2011, attempting to help an injury that continued to bother him throughout the year, Manning missed the entire season. To make matters worse, the Colts won a mere two games in his absence, awarding them the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Indianapolis used it to select promising quarterback Andrew Luck, and Manning bid farewell to Colts fans in a tearful press conference, stating: “Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart.
“I truly have enjoyed being your quarterback.”
The Colts released Manning on March 7, 2012. Now a free agent, numerous teams were battling for the quarterback’s signature, but just a few weeks later, he announced he would be joining the Denver Broncos.
A DENVER SWANSONG
Manning took to the field as a Bronco for the first time in a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in
September 2012. Guiding the Broncos to the postseason with 37 touchdown passes, Manning would win the
NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award but Denver lost in the playoffs to the Baltimore Ravens.
After the disappointment of an early postseason exit, Manning bounced back in the 2013 season.
The 2013 Denver Broncos became the first NFL team to score more than 600 points in a season, and Manning, named league MVP for the fifth time, set NFL records for passing yards (5,477) and touchdown passes (55) in a single season.
Denver defeated the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots to punch their tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII - but the Seattle Seahawks were waiting. Thanks, in part, to Manning’s two interceptions, the Seahawks thrashed the Broncos, 43-8.
The 2014 season was a memorable one for Manning. He returned to Indianapolis for the first time since his neck injury, and, in a Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, became the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns.
But, after the Broncos would advance to the playoffs with a 12-4 record, Indianapolis upset their former quarterback’s team in the Divisional Round, 24-13.
After the disappointment of an early postseason exit, Manning bounced back in the 2013 season.
The 2013 Denver Broncos became the first NFL team to score more than 600 points in a season, and Manning, named league MVP for the fifth time, set NFL records for passing yards (5,477) and touchdown passes (55) in a single season.
Denver defeated the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots to punch their tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII - but the Seattle Seahawks were waiting. Thanks, in part, to Manning’s two interceptions, the Seahawks thrashed the Broncos, 43-8.
The 2014 season was a memorable one for Manning. He returned to Indianapolis for the first time since his neck injury, and, in a Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, became the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns.
But, after the Broncos would advance to the playoffs with a 12-4 record, Indianapolis upset their former quarterback’s team in the Divisional Round, 24-13.
Manning took to the field as a Bronco for the first time in a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in
September 2012. Guiding the Broncos to the postseason with 37 touchdown passes, Manning would win the
NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award but Denver lost in the playoffs to the Baltimore Ravens.
After the disappointment of an early postseason exit, Manning bounced back in the 2013 season.
After the disappointment of an early postseason exit, Manning bounced back in the 2013 season.
The 2013 Denver Broncos became the first NFL team to score more than 600 points in a season, and
Manning, named league MVP for the fifth time, set NFL records for passing yards (5,477) and touchdown
passes (55) in a single season.
Denver defeated the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots to punch their tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII - but the Seattle Seahawks were waiting. Thanks, in part, to Manning’s two interceptions, the Seahawks thrashed the Broncos, 43-8.
The 2014 season was a memorable one for Manning. He returned to Indianapolis for the first time since his neck injury, and, in a Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, became the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns.
But, after the Broncos would advance to the playoffs with a 12-4 record, Indianapolis upset their former quarterback’s team in the Divisional Round, 24-13.
Denver defeated the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots to punch their tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII - but the Seattle Seahawks were waiting. Thanks, in part, to Manning’s two interceptions, the Seahawks thrashed the Broncos, 43-8.
The 2014 season was a memorable one for Manning. He returned to Indianapolis for the first time since his neck injury, and, in a Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, became the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns.
But, after the Broncos would advance to the playoffs with a 12-4 record, Indianapolis upset their former quarterback’s team in the Divisional Round, 24-13.
Manning returned for his 18th NFL season under new Denver head coach Gary Kubiak, but it was a season
impacted by injury and inconsistent play. The quarterback threw more interceptions than touchdowns for
the first time since his rookie year and played in just nine games.
Thankfully for Broncos fans, the team boasted an impressive defense that helped propel the team to Super Bowl 50 - a game that they won against the Carolina Panthers, 24-10.
That Super Bowl proved to be Manning’s final game in the NFL, and he announced his retirement a month after lifting the Lombardi Trophy for the second time.
In 2021, Manning was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, and astonishingly, the Hall of Fame committee took just 13 seconds to agree upon his selection. The quarterback revolutionised the position, mainly through his use of audibles - changing plays and directing personnel on the field before the ball is snapped - as an effort to confuse defenses, react to the opposition’s formation, and take complete control over the offense.
Nicknamed ‘The Sheriff’ throughout his career as he “laid down the law” in opposing stadiums and controlled every aspect of his high-powered offenses, Manning raised the bar for quarterback play across the entire NFL.
Thankfully for Broncos fans, the team boasted an impressive defense that helped propel the team to Super Bowl 50 - a game that they won against the Carolina Panthers, 24-10.
That Super Bowl proved to be Manning’s final game in the NFL, and he announced his retirement a month after lifting the Lombardi Trophy for the second time.
In 2021, Manning was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, and astonishingly, the Hall of Fame committee took just 13 seconds to agree upon his selection. The quarterback revolutionised the position, mainly through his use of audibles - changing plays and directing personnel on the field before the ball is snapped - as an effort to confuse defenses, react to the opposition’s formation, and take complete control over the offense.
Nicknamed ‘The Sheriff’ throughout his career as he “laid down the law” in opposing stadiums and controlled every aspect of his high-powered offenses, Manning raised the bar for quarterback play across the entire NFL.
