18 seasons. 14 Pro Bowls. Five MVPs. Two Super Bowl rings. A Colt. A Bronco.
These are only a couple of things people think about when they hear Peyton Manning's name. It's not all about winning and the rings. It's about the integrity and greatness that this quarterback has brought to the field for 18 seasons. I know I have been following Peyton Manning ever since he stepped out onto the field as an Indianapolis Colt. I'm sure some people would probably argue that I'm not a true fan because, yes, I am a girl, and, yes, I did not follow him while he was playing in college, but that's neither here nor there.
What I'm here to talk about is what's been on everyone's minds since Peyton Manning stood in that press conference room shortly after winning Superbowl 50 and shakily announced that he would no longer be playing football. I'm here to talk about a legend and all of the greatness he has achieved on and off the field in the many years he has played.
Whether you have followed him, hated him, or didn't really care about who he was, Peyton Manning has always been around and will always be around even though he's retiring. Sure, he won't ever step on the field again and throw a winning touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders. Sure, we won't hear the beloved word 'omaha' screamed at the top of his lungs before he receives the football. Sure, we won't see him run out onto the field and play for the Indianapolis Colts or the Broncos. Sure, Peyton Manning will never win the Super Bowl ever again. Even though none of these things will ever happen again, the game has been changed forever because of Peyton Manning.
18 great seasons of ups and downs, and I am happy to say that I have been rooting right beside Peyton Manning for all of those seasons no matter how amazing or terrible of a season he has had. He is an amazing quarterback and definitely the best quarterback of all time. But he's also an amazing person off the field. From the scholarship foundation to the many different types of charity work he has done, Manning has become an amazing athlete and also an amazing person to many people.
Peyton Manning. Amazing Athlete. Amazing dad. Amazing friend. Amazing leader.
No matter how upset you are that you will no longer see your favorite quarterback out on the field in your favorite orange and blue uniform, at least you'll know that he will go down in history as one of the most amazing people and amazing quarterback of all time. We will always remember him as the man who changed the game forever.
