Peyton Manning Announces His Retirement from NFLBy: Jared Young Not many people can say they have played 18 years in the National Football League. Few have the claim to be the holder of almost every major professional football quarterback record. Not many people have the claim to be the best person to ever step on a football field. Peyton Manning does. Manning announced his retirement earlier today after 18 years in the NFL, four with the Broncos and 14 with the Colts. An emotional Manning addressed the media with a deeply sincere and humorous speech after being introduced by team brass. He began with a story of his first game in the league, coincidentally against one of his childhood role models, Miami Dolphins Quarterback Dan Marino. Manning was universally known as the exhaustive, almost obsessive master of preparation who was second to none when it came to knowledge of the game. This love of the game separated Manning from the great, to the undoubtedly excellent. It was no secret that the five-time MVP struggled in his later years in Denver. Much like the rest of his NFL career, however, Manning always positioned himself to allow his team the best chance to win. His twilight years in mile high were his greatest statistically, with 2013 glaring as the greatest season any quarterback has ever had. Manning’s sophomore season with the Broncos consisted of 55 passing touchdowns, cruising past his rival Tom Brady’s record of 50. Thanking his offensive coordinator in his address to the media, the tandem of Adam Gase and Peyton Manning was arguably the greatest ever between a quarterback and his positional coach when at their peak. He went on to thank his general manager John Elway for granting him the opportunity to play in Denver, and entrusting in him to take the reigns in 2012. Manning had an astounding career that ending fittingly in Super Bowl 50, riding off into the sunset much like his boss John did in 1998. Many might forget, however, that the Peyton Manning who won the biggest game of the year this past February was not the Peyton that was one of the greatest of all time. That began in Indianapolis. Manning did not hesitate to thank Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Edgerrin James among many other teammates and opponents that helped establish his status amongst the NFL’s immortal when with the Colts for over a decade. The Quarterback who proved to be so particular and mechanical when it came to the gridiron showed he was equally human when he choked up multiple times, most notably when discussing former Baltimore Colts great Johnny Unitas. He wanted to make Johnny U proud, he said, and wanted to fulfill his commitment to “stay at it”. After two Super Bowl wins, countless passing and Quarterback records and the reputation as one of the NFL’s greatest, it is safe to say number 18 did just that. The quarterback who established his dominance with two different franchises parted accordingly, with his trademark charm and lovable persona for all to bask in one last time. Although having much love for the Broncos, the Peyton Manning many knew and loved played for the Indianapolis Colts. He even wore a blue and white tie.