For 18 years quarterback Peyton Manning has dazzled football fans with his superb play. Manning was the first overall pick of the 1998 Indianapolis Colts where he would become a rock for their franchise for 14 seasons and he would also become the most notable player for the team since Johnny Unitas. Manning was able to reach the top of the mountain in February 2007 when he helped the Colts win the Super Bowl and in the process, he was able to get the monkey off of his back as he finally won the big game. After neck surgery kept Manning on the sidelines in 2011, the Colts would finish that season with the worst record in the NFL. Colts owner Jim Irsay cited the need to get younger and he released Manning which led to him possibly being the most sought after free agent in NFL history. Many teams lined up for Manning’s services, but it was the Denver Broncos that won out. Manning commanded respect from his first day on the job in Denver where he led them to the AFC Championship in 2013. But after playing through injuries at the end of 2014, things have not gotten better for Manning this year.
This past Sunday saw Manning have one of his highest and lowest moments in his football career. Early on against the Kansas City Chiefs, Manning surpassed Brett Favre for the most passing yards in National Football League history. But after throwing 4 interceptions, Manning was benched by Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak in favor of Brock Osweiler. After the game, Kubiak claimed that he was simply trying to protect Manning when he pulled him. And since then the Broncos have announced that it will be Osweiler under center this Sunday when they travel to face the Chicago Bears as Manning is out with what the team is calling plantar fascia in his right foot. But what the Broncos are failing to address is the fact that Manning is simply finished.
Manning no longer has the zip on his passes that he once did, and year-by-year, week-by-week, game-by-game, quarter-by-quarter, and pass-by-pass, Manning is becoming less effective. Manning’s velocity has waned and it doesn’t help his case nor that of the Broncos that he will be playing in a climate over the next few weeks in Denver that is not conducive to a quarterback that does not have the best throwing arm as the end of one of the greatest careers in National Football League history appears to be coming to an end. And if that is truly the case, then Manning has nothing to be ashamed of as far as his accomplishments.
In becoming the face of the franchise for the Colts, Manning engaged in some great duels with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as the games between the Colts and Patriots were definitely must see television. But Brady typically had a better team around him which led to the Patriots getting the best of the Colts in the postseason for the most part. And if it wasn’t the Patriots in January, Manning and the Colts would also have their problems with the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers in the postseason as they each denied him chances to win the Super Bowl. But it all came together for the Colts in 2006 when they were finally able to get past the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game before the right arm of Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman in Super Bowl 41 ensured Manning of hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
For Manning’s detractors they will look first at his struggles in the postseason as he was just 1-2 in the Super Bowl, but they will also overlook the fact that arguably no quarterback in National Football League history was asked to do more with less which was evident by the fact that when Manning was sidelined in 2011, the Colts went from being a Super Bowl contender, to being the worst team by far in the NFL. And by the time that Manning was able to get back to the Super Bowl with the Broncos, the velocity on his throws was beginning to decline while the young and hungry defense of the Seattle Seahawks was not ready to feel sorry for him as they denied him another chance at a championship.
But for Manning, he should be remembered as a guy that changed the game. Manning took his lumps as a rookie quarterback with the Colts in 1998 when he led the National Football League in interceptions with 28. And as the Colts were just 3-13 in Manning’s rookie season, they quickly rebounded to go 13-3 in 1999 to win the AFC East. Manning has been the master of the “no-huddle” offense and whether it was with the Colts or the Broncos, the home folks knew how to remain quiet when he was operating the offense. Manning took the term “student of the game” to another level as he has simply dedicated himself to his craft. Manning learned from his father Archie who was a quarterback in the NFL for for 14 seasons. But as Archie’s career was spent playing on very bad teams, he was still able to pass on his knowledge of the game to Peyton. And at the same time for Peyton, he has been able to see his younger brother Eli evolve as a quarterback which has included him leading the New York Giants to a pair of Super Bowl Championships.
And for Manning, his iconic no. 18 jersey truly defines him. While in college at the University of Tennessee, Manning wore no. 16, but he decided to switch to 18 when he reached the National Football League in order to honor his older brother Cooper. But regardless of the number on the jersey, Manning has been one of the best to ever do it.
Typically the end is not great for many professional athletes as they tend to be the last person to realize when their skills are gone and Manning is no different. But if this is indeed the end for Manning, he can walk away from the game of football with the admiration and respect of his peers, coaches, and fans alike, as he’ll be remembered as a person that left it all out there with no regrets whatsoever.
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