In addition to his career yards and passing touchdowns records and his record five MVP awards, Manning’s Super Bowl win gave him an National Football League record 200 career wins including playoffs.
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While Manning is sometimes criticized for coming up short in big games, he is the only starting quarterback to win Super Bowls with two different teams.
He was widely expected to retire after a less than average season 2015-16, where he performed below par and missed several weeks with injury.
Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said: “Peyton Manning’s extraordinary career was driven by his talent, an incredible work ethic, and an unwavering desire to be the best and ended so perfectly for him with a Super Bowl victory”.
In the final moments of his retirement news conference, Peyton Manning really got choked up when he talked about how hard he prepared during his 18-year career.
Choking back tears, Peyton Manning formally announced his retirement today which ironically comes four years to the day he left Indianapolis. “In my opinion, there’s no question, he’s the greatest quarterback to ever play the game”, Cutcliffe said at a Sunday news conference, according to The Chronicle. The 39-year-old and 14-time Pro Bowl player retires after winning his second Super Bowl earlier this year. The recovery process takes longer, and has a greater impact on your play than when you’re 33 or 35. No matter, Manning also toyed with the 49ers, throwing four touchdown passes in a 42-17 win.
Peyton Manning’s preparation for a game was legendary, right down to the tiniest of details.
“You don’t have to wonder if I’ll miss it. Absolutely, I will”, Manning said in an emotional goodbye.
His first Super Bowl win came in 2007 with the Indianapolis Colts, who drafted him No. 1 overall in 1998.
Cutcliffe served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator while Manning was the Volunteers’ quarterback from 1995-98. However, the one play remembered most in New Orleans was likely the one play he would like to have back. “I’ll miss getting home after a one o’clock game and watching his afternoon game on TV with friends and family…”
For most of his career, Manning has enjoyed a wholesome reputation and highly marketable public image.
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No one took more pride in spending countless hours in the film room than Manning. “Obviously I’ve been a huge football fan growing up, and have watched a ton of Super Bowls, and walking out on that field for the pre-game warmups – it was about as handsome of setting you could possibly imagine”.
