We knew it was coming. But that hasn’t made it any easier for Colts fans, or anyone who had ever met the first-ballot Hall of Famer.
“We’re here to announce the conclusion of Peyton’s playing career with the Colts,” owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday in a news conference. Words I never thought I’d here.
Peyton Manning has meant the world to Irsay, the Colts, Indianapolis and the NFL. He hasn’t just been the face of the franchise, but the face of the league for the last decade.
And he was supposed to play for only one team and end his career in Indianapolis. Because of a handful of things — like his health, the salary cap, lack of surrounding talent and the Colts being in a rebuilding mode — Peyton Manning was waived and is now a free agent.
The two handled this separation as best they could. Nobody wanted this to happen. Not Jim Irsay, not Peyton Manning, not fans. But it had to.
“I sure have loved playing football for the Indianapolis Colts. For 14 wonderful years, the only professional football I’ve known is Colts football…I’ve been a Colt for almost all my adult life. But I guess in life and in sports, we all know that nothing lasts forever. Times change, circumstances change, and that’s the reality of playing in the NFL.”
They each went up to the podium and they each got choked up. It was real, honest emotion. Emotion from the highs and lows, the locker room, plane rides and golf games.
As a guy that has been employed by an organization for ten years now, I understand the attachment, comfort and loyalty that develops.
“I will always be a Colt. That will never change,” he said.
Nobody wanted this story to end, but it had to.
This was the right move, the tough move, for owner Jim Irsay. He had been so faithful to Manning, going so far as paying him $26 million last season without even taking a snap. And he said he doesn’t regret it one bit. What Manning did, and what he meant goes well past the football field.
Indianapolis embraced football. So much so that there are a record-number of sell-outs and still a waiting list for season tickets. Never, before the Manning-era.
Without Peyton, the Colts may be in L.A., there is no Lucas Oil Stadium, and there is no Super Bowl XLVI. He has his name on and is a big contributor to the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. Each year, he donates millions of dollars to those in need without credit wanted. He gives high school football players the opportunity to play at the stadium he built at the PeyBack Classic. He holds an annual bowling event that raises a substantial amount of money and each Thanksgiving he feeds hundreds in need.
There is no way to exactly quantify the impact Peyton had on the community of Indianapolis.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to end, but it’s not uncommon. Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, and Brett Favre are all big-time quarterbacks who finished their career with another team. Even Peyton’s father Archie, played one year in Houston and Minnesota before hanging it up. And in an interesting twist, guess who was Archie’s backup in Houston. A rookie quarterback by the name of Oliver Luck.
Turn back the clock about eight months ago, to July 31st, before the 2-14 season. Peyton had just signed a new five-year when he said, “It is official that I will be a Colt for the rest of my career, I won’t play for another team.”
Unfortunately, that’s not the case. But he says although his time in Indy is over, he’s not ready to call it quits.
“I don’t want to retire. And no I don’t feel like I have anything to prove. Nobody loves their job more than I do. Nobody loves playing quarterback more than I do. I still want to play. But there’s no other team I’ve ever wanted to play for. Nobody’s had it better than I have playing for the Indianapolis Colts for these 14 years. I just can’t say how thankful and how fortunate I feel to have played here. I still love playing quarterback.”
Peyton was all-class in his final news conference as a Colt. He thanked everyone, even the equipment guys who he had a great relationship with. No matter the circumstance, after a win or loss, he has been a guy that Indianapolis has been proud of.
“And as I go, I go with just a few words left to say, a few words I want to address to Colts fans everywhere. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I truly have enjoyed being your quarterback. Thank you.”
No, thank you Peyton, for everything.
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
[Photo via @IndyStarSports]
[…] Peyton leaves the Colts, but his impact will remain forever Without Peyton, the Colts may be in LA, there is no Lucas Oil Stadium, and there is no Super Bowl XLVI. He has his name on and is a big contributor to the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. Each year, he donates millions of dollars to those in need … Read more on Vigilant Sports […]