Peyton Manning retired yesterday. He went out on top, winning Super Bowl 50, but he went out. He called it a career, something I never saw coming when I fell in love with him and his game 12 years ago.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was watching a random NFL game as a 10-year-old in January 2004. The Colts were playing the Patriots for the AFC title. It was snowing.
“That’s Eli’s brother,” my dad said as he pointed out the Colts’ quarterback.
Eli Manning had just led the Rebels to a Cotton Bowl victory and was closer to God in my 10-year-old brain than any other human should be.
So, I adopted Peyton. I adopted his game in random pee-wee games throughout Eupora. I wore the number 18 because I wanted everything in my athletic career to be modeled after him. I’m not sure what it was, but I grew up on Manning.
I remember the comeback in the dome in 2007. The Colts were down 21-6 at halftime to the Patriots in the AFC title games. They had lost two of the three previous AFC title games. I thought it was over and wondered if Peyton would even win a Super Bowl. Peyton didn’t. He took his team down the field to open the half to cut the lead to eight.
I remember emotions flowing through a 13-year-old me after Joseph Addai’s three-yard plunge to give the Colts a 38-34 lead with a little more than a minute remaining in the contest.
The Denver years weren’t as magical, as I was in college. I wasn’t a young kid in awe of what he did anymore, or so I thought. Then this year happened.
I guess when he got hurt and benched, I realized this was likely it. I realized 2015 was going to the last time I got to watch him play football. I realized that this 2015 season was going to be it for the 10-year-old who grew up loving him.
When they made the playoffs, I knew he wasn’t what he once was. I realized he wasn’t half of what he once was. I knew it would take a miraculous performance from the Denver defense if they were going to make a run. They got just that. They dominated the Steelers and Patriots up front, and they played in the Super Bowl.
When I saw him take the field for the Super Bowl in February, you could just tell this was it. The arm strength was gone. You could tell there were things he wanted to do on the field, that his body and arm just wouldn’t let him do.
He won. He won, not because of him and his play, but because Von Miller might be the best football player in the NFL right now. After 18 years in the league, and dominating it for a good portion of his career, maybe it was time for someone else to carry him.
So, he left on Monday morning. He left with an emotional press conference where he thanked everyone and read a Bible verse from 2 Timothy.
His passion for the game was unquestioned. His talent was undeniable. He outworked any and every one that was put in front of him. He’s one of the top five quarterbacks all time. He’s the best, if you ask me.
“Well, I’ve fought a good fight,” Manning said on Monday. “I’ve finished my football race, and after 18 years it’s time. God Bless all of you. God Bless football.”
Omaha.
– Collin Brister
