Peyton Manning

Who Is Peyton Manning?

Peyton Manning, the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the older brother of former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, is regarded as one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. He achieved an unprecedented five NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and secured two Super Bowl championships during his illustrious career. Manning officially announced his retirement from professional football in March 2016.

Early Years and University of Tennessee

Born on March 24, 1976, in New Orleans, Peyton Williams Manning is the second of three sons in the Manning family. From a young age, he exhibited a competitive spirit that set him apart from his brothers, and he was destined for greatness as a quarterback. While attending Isidore Newman High School, Manning led his team to an impressive 34-5 record, amassing over 7,000 passing yards. He was widely regarded as the top high school football recruit in the nation during his senior year.

Manning continued to demonstrate his dominance after enrolling at the University of Tennessee in 1994. Over his four-year collegiate career, he set an astounding 42 records across the conference, school, and NCAA levels, passing for 11,201 yards, completing 863 passes, and throwing for 89 touchdowns. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 230 pounds, Manning was known not only for his physical prowess but also for his dedication to studying the game.

Joining the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts

In 1998, the Indianapolis Colts selected Manning with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, welcoming him as a potential savior for a franchise that had struggled with poor performance. His rookie season, however, was marked by inconsistency; despite setting several NFL rookie records—including completions (326), attempts (575), passing yards (3,739), and touchdowns (26)—he also led the league with 28 interceptions, contributing to a disappointing 3-13 team record.

Records, MVPs, and Super Bowl XLI

Despite the challenges of his early career, Manning soon emerged as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks, becoming the face of a high-powered Colts offense that consistently competed for the NFL’s top record. After earning his first MVP award in 2003, he won the award four more times (2004, 2008, 2009, and 2013), becoming the first player in NFL history to achieve this distinction. Additionally, he became the fastest player to reach both 50,000 career passing yards and 4,000 completions.

Throughout the first decade of his career, Manning faced criticism for his inability to win crucial games. However, he silenced his detractors in 2007 by leading the Colts past the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game and securing a victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. Manning was named the game’s MVP after throwing for 247 yards, further solidifying his legacy. Off the field, he became a valuable brand ambassador, showcasing his comedic talent through appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and in numerous commercials for major brands such as Sprint, MasterCard, and Gatorade.

Neck Surgery

Manning’s career faced a significant setback on September 8, 2011, when he underwent spinal fusion surgery to address a damaged nerve in his neck, which had compromised his throwing arm. This marked the end of his streak of 227 consecutive starts and sidelined him for the entire 2011 season. The Colts struggled without their leader, finishing with the league’s worst record, which enabled them to secure the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. As the Colts prepared for a new era with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, they released Manning, who subsequently signed a five-year, $96 million contract with the Denver Broncos in March 2012.

Denver Broncos Comeback

Manning returned to the field for the start of the 2012 season, quickly dispelling concerns about his health. He led the league in completion percentage and guided the Broncos to the AFC West title, earning the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. The 2013 season proved to be historic, as Manning tied an NFL record with seven touchdown passes in a single game and set new benchmarks for touchdowns (55) and passing yards (5,477), earning him his fifth MVP award. Although the Broncos advanced to the Super Bowl, they were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks.

In 2014, Manning surpassed Brett Favre’s record for career touchdown passes with his 509th. The following year, he broke Favre’s record of 71,838 career passing yards, although a foot injury hindered his performance, leading to concerns about the conclusion of his career.

Second Super Bowl Win and Retirement

Manning demonstrated resilience, returning to action for the Broncos during the regular-season finale and leading the team to the top record in the conference. In February 2016, after another thrilling victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, Manning capped off his career with a win against the favored Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

On March 7, 2016, Manning announced his retirement from the NFL, stating, “I fought a good fight and now I finish my football race. After 18 years, it’s time. God bless all of you, and god bless football.”

Post-Football Career

Since retiring, Manning has dedicated himself to philanthropic efforts through his Peyback Foundation while also appearing as a spokesperson for various brands. In 2019, he launched the Emmy-nominated docuseries “Peyton’s Places,” featuring conversations with notable players and coaches about the history and cultural impact of football.

Personal Life

Manning married his wife, Ashley, on St. Patrick’s Day in 2001. The couple welcomed twins, son Marshall Williams and daughter Mosley Thompson, in March 2011.