"The Sheriff" Peyton Manning is a celebrated former NFL quarterback, renowned as one of the all-time greats. His illustrious 18-season career included 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and four with the Denver Broncos. Hailing from the esteemed Manning football dynasty, he is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, brother of former NFL quarterback Eli Manning, and uncle of Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. His exceptional skills were evident during his college years at the University of Tennessee, where he clinched the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards as a senior.
In the first three games of the season, Peyton Manning accomplished a feat not seen since 1960 by throwing at least three touchdown passes without any interceptions in each game.
Manning's 9.9% touchdown rate in 2004 tied for the sixth-highest rate in NFL history, matching George Blanda's record from 1961.
Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts triumphed over the Pittsburgh Steelers, breaking a 12-game losing streak and securing their first win in Pittsburgh since 1968.
In 1969, an unnamed player achieved the feat of throwing seven touchdowns in a single game, a record that Peyton Manning would later equal.
Peyton Williams Manning was born on March 24, 1976. He would go on to become a celebrated NFL quarterback.
During the 2013 season, Peyton Manning tied Dan Marino's 1984 record by passing for at least 400 yards in three games. The Broncos had a historic season, achieving more 50-point games than any other team in NFL history, with three such games. Four Broncos receivers scored at least ten touchdowns each, setting an NFL record. Furthermore, Manning set a new season record with nine games in which he threw four or more touchdown passes.
In 2008, Peyton Manning received his 19th AFC Offensive Player of the Week award, surpassing Dan Marino for the most since the award's inception in 1984.
In 2009, Peyton Manning surpassed Jim McMahon's NFL record of 22 straight wins, set with the Chicago Bears from 1984 to 1987, by achieving his 23rd consecutive regular season victory.
In 2009, Peyton Manning surpassed Jim McMahon's NFL record of 22 straight wins, set with the Chicago Bears from 1984 to 1987, by achieving his 23rd consecutive regular season victory.
During a 2009 game against the Houston Texans, Peyton Manning achieved a career-high in pass attempts and became the first quarterback since 1991 to throw for over 40,000 yards in a decade.
Peyton Manning was named Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player-of-the-Year and Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Offensive Player-of-the-Year in 1993 while playing for Isidore Newman School.
In 1994, Peyton Manning made his debut as the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers, leading them to an 8-4 season and a victory in the Gator Bowl.
Peyton Manning's sophomore season at the University of Tennessee in 1995 saw the Volunteers achieve a 10-1 record and a Citrus Bowl victory, with Manning finishing sixth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Peyton Manning's junior year at the University of Tennessee in 1996 was marked by a Citrus Bowl win against Northwestern, where he was named MVP. He also made the decision to stay for his senior year instead of entering the NFL draft.
In 1996, while at the University of Tennessee, Peyton Manning was accused of sexual assault by trainer Jamie Ann Naughright. Naughright subsequently left the university and filed a defamation lawsuit in 2002.
In 1997, Peyton Manning led the Tennessee Volunteers to victory in the SEC Championship Game. He also won prestigious awards including the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards.
In his senior year at Tennessee in 1997, Peyton Manning garnered numerous accolades including being a consensus first-team All-American and winning the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien, and Johnny Unitas Awards. He was also runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.
The Indianapolis Colts, led by Peyton Manning, defeated the Baltimore Ravens with a score of 31-3 at Lucas Oil Stadium, preventing their first 0-3 start at home since the 1997 season.
Despite concerns about his arm strength and mobility, Peyton Manning was chosen as the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, surpassing his rival Ryan Leaf.
Manning's passing yards fell below 4,000 for the first time since his rookie season in 1998.
Peyton Manning was the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft, chosen by the Indianapolis Colts.
Peyton Manning's NFL journey began in 1998 when he was chosen as the first overall pick in the draft by the Indianapolis Colts, becoming the second player in Tennessee's history to achieve this feat.
Peyton Manning's rookie season in 1998 was marked by both promise and challenges, showcasing his talent with 3,739 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, but also a league-high 28 interceptions as the Colts struggled to a 3-13 record.
The 1999 season saw Peyton Manning and the Colts make significant strides, improving their record to 13-3 and winning the AFC East. Manning threw for 4,135 yards and 26 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Despite a playoff loss to the Titans, Manning's performance demonstrated his potential for greatness.
Peyton Manning and his father, Archie, released their co-authored book, "Manning: A Father, His Sons, and a Football Legacy" in 2000.
Peyton Manning married Ashley in Memphis on St. Patrick's Day in 2001.
The 2002 season brought a new head coach, Tony Dungy, for Peyton Manning and the Colts. Despite a 10-6 record and a playoff berth, they suffered a disappointing Wild Card Round loss to the New York Jets, extending Manning's playoff losing streak to 0-3.
The defamation lawsuit filed by Jamie Ann Naughright against Peyton Manning was settled out of court in 2002.
The Colts' three-point performance in the 2004 Divisional Round loss was their lowest single-game point total since their opening game of the 2003 season.
Peyton Manning reached an undisclosed settlement with Jamie Ann Naughright in 2003, stemming from a defamation lawsuit. Both parties were legally bound to silence regarding the settlement.
In a memorable 2003 game against the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Peyton Manning orchestrated a historic comeback. Trailing 35-14 with five minutes remaining, Manning led the Colts to a stunning 38-35 overtime victory, marking the only time in NFL history a team overcame a 21-point deficit in the final four minutes of regulation.
Peyton Manning had an outstanding individual performance in 2004, throwing for 4,557 yards, 49 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions. His passer rating of 121.1 was a record at the time. He was unanimously selected as a first-team All-Pro and received numerous accolades, including NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and Best NFL Player at the ESPY Awards.
The Colts faced the Denver Broncos in the Wild Card Round of the 2004 playoffs, winning 49-24. However, they lost to the New England Patriots 20-3 in the Divisional Round, marking Manning's seventh consecutive loss to the Patriots in Foxborough. The Colts' three points were their lowest single-game point total since the opening game of the 2003 season.
The Indianapolis Colts, led by Peyton Manning, had a successful 2004 season. They started with a loss against the New England Patriots but went on to win their next four games. Despite losing two games in a row, they recovered to win eight consecutive games. The Colts finished the regular season with a 12-4 record and secured the AFC South title.
Despite the playoff loss, Manning finished second in MVP voting, ending his two-year winning streak. He was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year for 2005, nominated for the FedEx Air Player of the Year Award, and selected for the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro for the third consecutive year.
In the Divisional Round of the 2005 playoffs, the Colts faced the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game was marked by a controversial overturned interception by Troy Polamalu, which the NFL later admitted was incorrect. Despite having opportunities to win, the Colts lost after a missed field goal by Mike Vanderjagt as time expired.
Peyton Manning's number 16 jersey was retired by the University of Tennessee in 2005, a tribute to his legacy as a Volunteer.
The Colts, with an improved defense, started the 2005 season with a 13-0 record. They defeated the defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots, marking Manning's first road win against them in eight attempts. Despite losing their perfect record in week 15, the Colts secured the AFC South title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Notably, Manning threw for fewer than 4,000 yards for the first time since his rookie season in 1998, largely due to resting in the final two games.
On September 10, 2006, Peyton Manning's Colts defeated Eli Manning's Giants 26–21 in the first regular season game between the two brothers, dubbed the 'Manning Bowl.'
The 2006 season began with a unique matchup: Peyton Manning and the Colts against Eli Manning and the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. This marked the first time starting quarterbacks who were brothers faced each other in an NFL game. The Colts won 26-21. Manning continued to excel, throwing for 400 yards against the Houston Texans and 345 yards with four touchdowns against the Washington Redskins, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for both performances. In a rematch against the New York Jets, Manning led a game-winning drive, scoring the winning touchdown with a one-yard quarterback sneak in the final minute, securing a 31-28 victory.
On his 31st birthday, March 24, 2007, Peyton Manning hosted Saturday Night Live, achieving a high household rating for the show.
Peyton Manning waved the green flag to start the 91st Indianapolis 500 on May 27, 2007.
St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis renamed its children's hospital to Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent in September 2007, following a generous donation from Peyton and his wife.
The Indianapolis Colts, led by Peyton Manning, faced their 2007 nemesis, the San Diego Chargers, in the Wild Card Round. Despite a strong effort, the Colts' season ended with a loss in overtime.
In 2007, during a playoff game, Peyton Manning recorded his lowest first-half completion percentage when he went 7-for-18 (38.9%) in the first half.
On July 14, 2008, Peyton Manning underwent surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee. This procedure caused him to miss all four preseason games and a significant portion of training camp.
During the 2008 season, Peyton Manning led the Colts to the playoffs for the seventh consecutive time. His performance earned him his third NFL MVP award, tying Brett Favre for most MVP awards in NFL history.
Peyton Manning made an appearance on Saturday Night Live in 2008.
The Colts had a slow start to the 2008 season, beginning with a 1-2 record. However, in week 5, Manning orchestrated a remarkable comeback victory against the Houston Texans. Trailing 27-10 with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Manning led the Colts to three touchdowns in 2:10, securing a 31-27 win. This game marked the first time in NFL history that a team won a game in regulation after trailing by 17 points in the final five minutes.
Under new head coach Jim Caldwell, Peyton Manning began the 2009 season with three straight victories and set a new franchise record with his fourth consecutive 300-yard passing game.
Peyton Manning, along with his brothers Eli and Cooper, lent their voices to an episode of The Simpsons titled "O Brother, Where Bart Thou?" in 2009.
Peyton Manning received his fourth NFL MVP award at the end of the 2009 season, surpassing Brett Favre for the most MVP awards won by a single player in NFL history.
In 2009, Peyton and Eli Manning faced each other in the Pro Bowl, with the NFC team, led by Eli, securing a win over the AFC team.
During a Monday Night Football broadcast in 2009, analyst Jon Gruden coined Peyton Manning's nickname "The Sheriff" due to his impressive use of audibles on the field.
On September 19, 2010, Peyton Manning's Colts beat Eli Manning's Giants 38–14 in the second regular season game between the two brothers, known as the 'Manning Bowl.'
After 12 seasons, Peyton Manning's time with the Indianapolis Colts ended in 2010.
The Indianapolis Colts placed their franchise tag on Peyton Manning on February 15, 2011, ensuring his return to the team.
Peyton and Ashley Manning welcomed their twins, son Marshall Williams and daughter Mosley Thompson, on March 31, 2011.
After negotiations, Peyton Manning signed a 5-year, $90 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts on July 30, 2011, solidifying his future with the team.
Tom Brady made a statement about Peyton Manning in 2011, highlighting his impact and skill as a quarterback.
Peyton Manning was sidelined for the entirety of the 2011 NFL season.
Peyton Manning missed the 2011 NFL season due to neck surgery, after which he was released by the Indianapolis Colts.
In 2011, Peyton Manning's career was put on hold when a neck injury forced him to miss the entire season, leading to his release from the Colts.
In 2011, Peyton Manning earned the distinction of being ranked the second best player in the NFL Top 100 Players list, as voted by his peers.
During the 2013 season, Peyton Manning continued to break records. In week 3, he surpassed Tom Brady's 2011 record for most touchdown passes in the first three games of a season. He threw his first interception of the season in week 5. In a significant game for Manning, he returned to Indianapolis, the place where he had built his legacy, for the first time since his departure from the Colts. The Colts honored him with a tribute video during a pregame ceremony. Despite a strong performance with 386 passing yards and three touchdowns, Manning and the Broncos faced defeat against the Colts with a score of 39-33.
Despite owner Jim Irsay's doubts about his return, Peyton Manning remained on the Colts' roster throughout 2011. Although he resumed throwing practice in mid-December, he didn't play a single game. The Colts, missing their star quarterback, finished the season 2-14, marking only the third time since Manning's rookie year that the team didn't reach at least ten wins.
In the fall of 2011, it was alleged that Peyton Manning received illegal drugs from Charles Sly, a pharmacist at the Guyer Anti-Aging Clinic in Indianapolis, as per a report released on December 27, 2015.
On March 7, 2012, the Indianapolis Colts released Peyton Manning. This decision came as the team underwent a rebuilding phase, which involved the dismissal of key figures like vice-chairman Bill Polian, general manager Chris Polian, and head coach Jim Caldwell. Manning was set to receive a $28 million roster bonus and the Colts held the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, which promised quarterback prospect Andrew Luck.
Following his release from the Colts, Peyton Manning became a highly sought-after free agent. He met with several teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Denver Broncos. Ultimately, Manning chose to sign a five-year, $96 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 20, 2012. His decision was influenced by meetings with John Elway, the Broncos' Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager, and head coach John Fox. Manning was even granted permission to wear the retired No. 18 jersey by Frank Tripucka, the player it honored.
In the opening game of the 2012 season, Peyton Manning made his highly anticipated debut as the Denver Broncos' quarterback. The Broncos won against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a score of 31-19, and Manning threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. In this game, he also achieved his 400th career touchdown pass, making history as the third quarterback to reach this milestone, following in the footsteps of Dan Marino and Brett Favre. He achieved this feat faster than both of them. His performance earned him a 129.2 QB rating. Later in the season, during a week 6 game against the San Diego Chargers, Manning led the Broncos to victory from a 24-0 deficit at halftime. This game earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. In week 17, he helped the Broncos secure a 38-3 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, with 304 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, once again earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos in 2012, marking the start of his tenure with the team.
In 2012, it was reported that Peyton Manning had memorized the Colts' playbook within a week of being drafted and could recall specific play details from 16 years prior.
Despite missing the entire 2011 NFL season, Peyton Manning was still considered a valuable player. In 2012, his peers ranked him 50th on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
After recovering from his neck injury, Peyton Manning joined the Denver Broncos in 2012, marking a new chapter in his career.
Peyton Manning's exceptional comeback in the 2012 season earned him several accolades. On February 2, 2013, he was honored with the AP National Football League Comeback Player of the Year Award. His performance also led to a first-team All-Pro selection. Furthermore, he secured the second position in the MVP voting. His peers recognized his talent and impact on the game by ranking him second on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.
On September 15, 2013, Peyton Manning's Broncos defeated Eli Manning's Giants 41–23 in the third regular season game between the two brothers, completing Peyton's 3–0 record in the 'Manning Bowl.'
Peyton Manning started the 2013 NFL season with a remarkable performance against the defending Super Bowl XLVII champions, the Baltimore Ravens. In this game, he became the sixth player in NFL history, and the first since 1969, to throw seven touchdowns in a single game, He also tied with Y.A. Tittle as one of only two players to achieve a 7:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio in a game. This achievement earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. Notably, Nick Foles of the Philadelphia Eagles later matched this feat in week 9 of the same season against the Oakland Raiders.
On November 24, 2013, the Broncos suffered a setback against the New England Patriots, losing 34-31 in overtime. Manning had a tough game, recording a season-low 150 passing yards. However, he bounced back, leading the Broncos to victory in the following game against the Kansas City Chiefs and subsequent games against the Tennessee Titans. In week 16, during a game against the Houston Texans, Manning made history by throwing his 51st touchdown pass of the season, setting a new NFL record and surpassing Tom Brady's previous record. In the final game of the season against the Raiders, Manning only played the first half, achieving 266 passing yards and four touchdowns, ending the season with a record-breaking 55 touchdown passes and 5,477 yards, surpassing Drew Brees's record by a single yard.
In 2013, ESPN ranked Manning's 2004 season as the second-greatest passing season of all time.
Despite initial concerns about his arm strength following his recovery, Peyton Manning proved his doubters wrong by late October 2012. His performance throughout the season earned him a spot in the 2013 Pro Bowl, marking his 12th selection.
On August 28, 2014, Peyton Manning was fined $8,268 for taunting D. J. Swearinger during a preseason game against the Houston Texans.
On October 5, 2014, Peyton Manning tied his career-high with an 86-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, threw his 500th career touchdown pass to Julius Thomas, and tied Dan Marino for the most 400-yard games by a quarterback, during a stellar performance against the Arizona Cardinals.
On October 19, 2014, Peyton Manning threw his 509th career touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas against the San Francisco 49ers, surpassing Brett Favre to become the NFL's all-time leader in passing touchdowns. He finished the game with 318 yards and four touchdowns.
In 2014, Peyton Manning cemented his legacy by setting the NFL record for career touchdown passes, a record he held until 2019.
Peyton Manning led the Colts to their ninth straight playoff appearance, a first in NFL history, and set a franchise record for passing yards, which was later surpassed by Andrew Luck in 2014.
Peyton Manning's exceptional performance in the previous season earned him the top spot in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014, as voted by his peers, solidifying his place as one of the league's best.
On December 27, 2015, Al Jazeera America released a report naming Peyton Manning in an investigation into professional athletes' use of Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), alleging he received illegal drugs from a pharmacist in 2011.
In 2015, Peyton Manning was ranked as the fifth best player by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
Peyton Manning appeared on the 40th Anniversary Special of Saturday Night Live in 2015.
Peyton Manning's impressive NFL career as a starting quarterback came to an end in 2015.
Peyton Manning's time with the Denver Broncos concluded in 2015.
After four seasons, Peyton Manning's time with the Denver Broncos concluded in 2015.
In 2015, despite having his statistically weakest season, Peyton Manning achieved the pinnacle of his career by winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos, concluding his career with a Super Bowl victory.
On February 7, 2016, Peyton Manning and the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24–10 in Super Bowl 50. Manning became the first quarterback to lead two franchises to Super Bowl victories and earned his 200th overall win.
On March 7, 2016, Peyton Manning announced his retirement from the NFL after 18 seasons. He concluded his speech with the words, "I've fought a good fight. I've finished my football race and after 18 years, it's time. God bless all of you and God bless football."
Four years after his departure from the Colts, on March 18, 2016, Peyton Manning's No. 18 jersey was officially retired by the team. This honor solidified his legacy with the Colts.
In July 2016, the NFL cleared Peyton Manning of PED allegations after finding no evidence to support the claims made in the December 27, 2015 report by Al Jazeera America.
In 2016, Peyton Manning was honored with inductions into both the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame as the Tennessean of the Year.
In 2016, Matthew Stafford surpassed Peyton Manning's record of seven game-winning drives in a single season, a feat Manning achieved during his impressive 1999 season.
During the 2016 presidential race, Peyton Manning contributed to Jeb Bush's campaign.
Peyton Manning hosted the ESPY Awards on July 12, 2017.
On October 7, 2017, the Indianapolis Colts unveiled a bronze statue of Peyton Manning outside Lucas Oil Stadium, inducted him into the Colts Ring of Honor, and retired his jersey.
In 2017, Peyton Manning was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, joining his father Archie as the first father-son duo inducted as players.
In 2017, Peyton Manning was recognized for his college football achievements with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Peyton Manning provided the voice for Guapo in the 2017 animated film "Ferdinand".
Peyton Manning sold his shares in his Papa John's Pizza stores in February 2018.
Peyton Manning drove the pace car at the 2018 Daytona 500 on February 18, 2018.
In 2018, Peyton Manning's record for career passing yards was broken by Drew Brees in week 5 against the Washington Redskins.
The NFL Man of the Year Award, previously named after Byron "Whizzer" White, was renamed in honor of Alan Page in the fall of 2018.
Peyton Manning's record for career passing yards, set in 2015, was surpassed in 2018.
In 2019, Peyton Manning was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Peyton Manning's documentary series about football, "Peyton's Places," was renewed for a third season in December 2020.
On February 6, 2021, Peyton Manning was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, with the selection committee taking only 13 seconds to debate his induction.
On June 9, 2021, Peyton Manning was unanimously elected to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
On August 8, 2021, Peyton Manning was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On October 31, 2021, Peyton Manning was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
Peyton Manning became the host of the revived quiz show "College Bowl" in 2021, with his brother Cooper as his sidekick.
Peyton Manning was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021, a testament to his illustrious NFL career.
Peyton and Eli Manning began hosting "Manningcast," an alternative broadcast of Monday Night Football, on ESPN2 and ESPN+ in 2021.
Peyton Manning made a guest appearance on Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live on January 29, 2022, on the Willem Dafoe-hosted episode.
In 2022, Peyton Manning, along with his brother Eli Manning, was named to the SEC Football Legends Class.
The Peyback Foundation, in collaboration with Georgia Tech, established a scholarship honoring Demaryius Thomas, Peyton's former teammate, in 2022. The foundation also initiated scholarships at six HBCUs.
The quiz show "College Bowl," hosted by Peyton Manning, was renewed for a second season in 2022.
In 2023, Peyton Manning accepted a professorship at the University of Tennessee's College of Communication and Information.