Future-hall-of-famer Peyton Manning did his best to sum up 18 years of NFL, and four years of college football in 12 minutes. At the beginning of the 2015 season, Manning was one of three remaining players drafted in 1998 who were still active in the NFL. According to Spotrac, an online database for sports salaries, Manning earned more than $248 million, not including income from endorsements and other off-field ventures.
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He then paraphrased from the Bible: “I have fought the good fight”.
“He revolutionized the game”, said John Elway, the general manager of the Denver Broncos and a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
But overall, Monday’s focus was on an unprecedented football career and best wishes for whatever’s next for the well-liked player. Manning exits on top, having just won the Super Bowl.
Campbell said he’ll always remember how respectful and humble Manning was when appearing in the media.
“There’s something about 18 years”, Manning told reporters at a news conference at the Denver Broncos team headquarters in Englewood, Colorado. Each and every week, he did everything he could to get ready to play not only against the defense but even against the coordinator. “I knew he felt like it was time, that he was ready to play, that he was in the right place”. “When he walked out it was like, ‘Did we interview him, or did he interview us?’ The classic question was, ‘What are the tax laws in Indiana?’ We were like, ‘Shoot, we don’t know.’ That interview was one of a kind”. He passed for 4,000 yards and made the Pro Bowl in 14 seasons. Manning also led the team to the Super Bowl in 2009, but ended up losing to the New Orleans Saints.
“I will miss it”, Manning said.
Manning, who battled back from a foot injury that cost him six games last season, said he would surely miss the game.
“Peyton was everything we thought he was and even more for our team and community”.
He played with the Broncos for four seasons, leading the team to two Super Bowl appearances.
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“I think it’s sad that some people don’t understand the truth and the facts”, Manning said. “Life is not shrinking for me; it’s morphing into a whole new world of possibilities”. He responded, “I do too Mosley, and that’s what we’re going to try to do”. For a guy with such a great regular season record (186-79), his playoff mark of just 14-13 paled in comparison.
