The Indianapolis Colts is known for its participation in several championships in the National Football League. All of these are possible thanks to the contribution of the great players that played for the Colts. Numerous football stars are exceptional in talent, making them part of the sport’s hall of fame. Interestingly, there is one Indianapolis Colts’ former quarterback that gained recognition for his excellent job and dedication in the league; he is no other than Peyton Manning.
Who is Peyton Manning?
Peyton Manning is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He has played in the National Football League for a total of eighteen seasons, of which fourteen seasons were his golden days in the Indianapolis Colts.
Born in a family of football players, Peyton Manning is no surprise a natural player ever since he was a kid. He quickly excelled in the sport while he was in high school up to the day he was drafted in the NFL. It didn’t take long for Manning to earn a solid reputation in the league as a remarkable quarterback as he led the Colts to victory.
Because of his unmatched greatness, Peyton Manning received several awards and achievements. With this said, it is no doubt many experts and fans consider Peyton Manning among the best players that ever stepped foot on the National Football League.
History of Peyton Manning
As mentioned earlier, Peyton Manning was born in a family of football enthusiasts; his father, Archie Manning, was also a former NFL quarterback, as well as his younger brother, Eli Manning. That is why as a kid, Peyton Manning did not have a difficult time learning the sport, allowing him to excel since high school.
During the 1990s, the young Peyton Manning was in high school, where he attended Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, Louisiana. His high school career was the start of his reign in football, wherein he was a star player in his team, leading the Greenies football team in consistent victories. Manning already earned various awards, such as Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player-of-the-Year and Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Offensive Player-of-the-Year in 1993. His achievements at an early stage secured his career in college football, and mainly in the National Football League.
Years later, after high school, Peyton went to college and played for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. His decision in picking the University of Tennessee Volunteers enraged a lot of fans, who were expecting he would pick his father’s former team: The Ole Miss Rebels.
Manning continued to play for the Volunteers under head coach Phillip Fulmer. As expected, Manning did an excellent job in reaping victory; he also received several awards and milestones for his great work. He became Tennessee’s all-time leading passer 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns; he again broke the Southeastern Conference record for career wins, wherein he won 39 of 45 games.
The end of Manning’s college football career was a very fruitful event, wherein he was included in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He received the title Tennessean of the Year by Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, mainly because of his outstanding college career.
After college, Peyton Manning began his professional career in the National Football League. The Indianapolis Colts drafted him during the 1998 NFL draft, wherein he was selected first overall. He started his rookie season in the Colts with high expectations from several football experts, seeing him as a one-of-a-kind quarterback.
Fast-forward to 2003; Manning already built a solid reputation in the field as the Colts’ quarterback. Manning and the Indianapolis Colts may have lost against the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship, but he reaped various awards during the season. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September and was awarded the AP NFL co-MVP and ESPY Award for Best NFL Player.
Years later, Manning continued to reign the NFL by reaping multiple awards during several seasons. He was known for receiving the ESPY Award for Best NFL Player, along with other awards, including NFL MVP and NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
However, the 2011 season did not end well for the great Peyton Manning. He underwent neck surgery on May 23, forcing him to take a break during the season, wherein the Indianapolis Colts went 2-14 with their star quarterback. Manning, on the other hand, officially left the Indianapolis Colts.
In 2012, Peyton Manning went back to play in the NFL. After several offers from various teams, he chose to play for the Denver Broncos for four seasons. Like his record in the Indianapolis Colts, Manning once again dominated the field, wherein he received several awards.
Manning retired on March 7, 2016, after playing for eighteen seasons. He also received another ESPY Award: the 2016 ESPY Icon Award. As an iconic player of the Indianapolis Colts, a bronze statue of Manning was built outside Lucas Oil Stadium and was also included in the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor. The great Peyton Manning was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 6, 2021.