Volunteer legend Peyton Manning to retire

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Peyton Manning will indeed ride off into the sunset.

Nearly one month after his second-career Super Bowl victory, Manning has decided to hang it up after 18 seasons in the league.

Manning was drafted No. 1 overall out of the University of Tennessee in 1998 by the Indianapolis Colts. Over his 13 seasons with the Colts, Manning established himself as one of the game’s all-time greatest quarterbacks, winning four MVP awards and a Super Bowl in 2007.

After his fourth neck surgery, Manning missed the entire 2011 campaign. The Colts opted for the future, and drafted Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the draft just months after releasing Manning.

Manning quickly signed with the Denver Broncos. In four seasons with the Broncos, Manning led the team to two Super Bowls and won an additional MVP award in 2013, where he set the single-season record for passing yards (5,477) and touchdown passes (55). This past season, however, was Manning’s worst season of his legendary career. In ten games, he threw nine touchdowns to 17 interceptions.

The largest criticism against Manning has been his postseason record, which prior to the Broncos’ Super Bowl run this season was 11-13.

Manning finishes his career first all-time in total wins (200), touchdown passes (539), passing yards (71,940), and approximate value (177).

Featured image courtesy of Jeffrey Beall

Edited by Cody McClure