Peyton Manning informed his teammates on Saturday night that he would be retiring from football. In a show of just how important the surefire Hall of Fame quarterback is to those around him, they kept the news quiet until Chris Mortensen of ESPN had reported the news Sunday morning.
Now, a full 24 hours after the rest of world learned Manning will ride off into the sunset as a Super Bowl champion after 18 years in the NFL, his teammates and coaches are speaking up about what he meant to them personally and to the game:
HEAD COACH GARY KUBIAK
“It was a blessing to coach Peyton Manning. Nobody worked harder at the game and nobody prepared harder than Peyton. His preparation was the best I’ve ever seen with how he went about his business. There was nothing like his work habits. Each and every week, he did everything he could to get ready to play not only against the defense but even against the coordinator.
“After competing against Peyton many, many times, I already had great respect for him. But being with him this season, going through what we went through and accomplishing what we accomplished—that was special. He and I battled together and along the way we talked about dreaming that it could end the way it ended. And I’ll be damned, it did.
“Peyton and I will have some interesting stories throughout the rest of our lives to talk about going through this year together. He’s a Hall of Fame player and a Hall of Fame person, and I wish him all the best in the future.”
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR RICK DENNISON
“I only had a year working with Peyton, but it was a learning experience for me. He’s fun to work with. He’s good to talk to about anything—the gameplan or even your kids. He was very diligent and worked his tail off. He had to have an answer for every front, every blitz and every coverage, which was good. He was just a great man to work with. I’m thrilled that his career is ending with a Super Bowl victory and look forward to seeing what’s next for him.”
QUARTERBACKS COACH GREG KNAPP
“Peyton really enjoys the paving of the road to success—the process that begins in the spring and culminates in February, if you are lucky. Not just the game itself. He’s one of the most thoughtful players I have ever coached. He takes the time to give gifts or speak to the history of the game that creates lifetime memories. If I had one word to describe him it would be ‘gracious.’ His memory and recall not only of games from a decade ago but best lines from movies two decades ago is unsurpassed. I will cherish not only the player-coach relationship that we developed, but more importantly the friendship that was forged. It got us through the ups and downs of a season and made the finish to this season that much sweeter. Peyton’s skillset off the field is just as—if not more—impressive than on the field. I can safely say no matter which path he chooses in the future, he will be successful.”
WIDE RECEIVER BENNIE FOWLER
“Congratulations to Peyton and his family on a great and meaningful career. He has forever influenced the game of football and he should be proud. That pass (Manning’s final completion) has tremendous significance to me. I saw Peyton play in Indianapolis when I was around 10 years old. I got the chance to personally shake his hand before that game. Fast forward 14 years, and he’s my teammate telling me in the huddle that he’s going to throw his last pass to me. That’s an incredible and surreal experience that I’ll always be grateful for. I hope that my career will always be influenced by the discipline, respect and preparation Peyton has shown to me and football.”
LINEBACKER VON MILLER
“I think Peyton was the perfect example of greatness and the perfect example of what it looks like to reach ultimate pinnacle to be great. He represents the struggle to get there, too. There are some superstars who are great their entire career, but everyone can relate to Peyton because he’s had his shares of ups and downs. He showed me exactly what a leader is. He was the perfect example of how to lead teammates for the rest of my career. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have had someone who showed me how to lead and how relate to guys on both sides of the ball and really the entire organization. The equipment guys, the trainers, the coaches, the importance of those relationships—that’s what I’ll take from watching him. I think Peyton Manning will continue to be Peyton Manning in life. He’ll have a great gameplan, call great audibles, have great secondary plans if needed, and will continue to be successful.”
QUARTERBACK BROCK OSWEILER
“I will be forever grateful for the four seasons that Peyton and I shared together in Denver. Peyton’s attention to detail, how he went about his preparation and his desire to win football games is what I will remember most. Peyton displays how to be the ultimate pro every single day. I am a better football player today because of my time spent with him. I congratulate him on a Hall of Fame career and wish him continued success in the future.”
CENTER MATT PARADIS
“Being able to spend the beginning of my career with Peyton Manning at quarterback was an amazing experience. I learned a tremendous amount from him on the field, seeing his preparation and competitiveness each day. He also instilled in me the importance of conducting myself like a true professional off the field. Earning his trust and vote of confidence as a player with little experience meant a lot to me. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from him these past two seasons. Thanks for the experience, ‘18’!”
WIDE RECEIVER EMMANUEL SANDERS
“To play alongside Peyton the past two years has truly been a blessing. Watching him and mimicking how he handled his business on and off the field is a huge reason why I’ve had success. His presence will not only be missed on the field but also in the locker room. I’m proud of him, and I’m glad that we accomplished the goals we set of winning a championship together. Peyton is my teammate, my friend and my brother. I’m forever grateful.”
WIDE RECEIVER DEMARYIUS THOMAS
“I still remember the first year sitting down talking to Peyton. I think I said something like, ‘Hello, Sir,’ just because he had been playing so long and was so successful. Playing with him, being in the meeting room with him, that made me a better pro. I learned how to watch film and knew what players were doing so when we got on the field, we knew exactly what to expect. He knew how to change plays—I can remember one game in particular, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012), he changed the play because of something he saw and we scored a touchdown. Being around him, everyone thinks he’s serious, but he likes to have fun and he likes to win. He was more than a teammate—He was like a brother. If you needed someone to talk to, he was there. He was the best pro I’ve ever been around. Our four years together went by fast, but it’s great that he was able to go out with a Super Bowl. I wish Peyton all the best and am excited to see what he’ll do.”
LINEBACKER DEMARCUS WARE
“You always hear about Peyton Manning and how he controls the game, uplifts other players to his standards, and I was fortunate to see it as a teammate and opponent. He was one of those guys who was a great competitor who took chances. When I played against him in Dallas (2013 game), I had the bootleg responsibility and I never thought he would do it (score a TD on a bootleg). The weird thing is, he looked at me before with this image of, ‘I got you.’ Being his teammate, I saw how he carried himself, how meticulous he was, how much of a competitor and how great he was off the field. He was one of those guys that if you had an event, a dinner, he was always engaged in every guy’s life. He knew what the trash man’s name was, the trainers, the cafeteria workers—all by name. He always thought about everyone else. When you think of the word ‘champion,’ he’s the image that you see.”
WIDE RECEIVER WES WELKER
“Being able to play with Peyton Manning was everything you thought it would be. The accuracy on his throws was incredible—you’d come out of your break and the ball would always be there. He made it so easy on you. The success he had wasn’t by accident, though. It was a result of the hard work, preparation and accountability he demanded not only of himself but of all of his teammates. Personally, his friendship is something I’ll always be grateful for. We had a lot of fun times, stories and a lot of great memories together as teammates that I’ll cherish. Whatever is next for Peyton, I know he’ll be great, and I wish him all the best.”
WIDE RECEIVER BRANDON STOKLEY
“In my opinion, Peyton goes down as the best quarterback who ever played. Without a doubt, he revolutionized the position, and now, all QBs want to live up to the standard he set. Nobody will ever do it the way he did it. He never came to work and didn’t put in 100 percent. Personally, there was no better teammate or friend than he was. Whatever he does in the next chapter, it will be just as successful as his football career. I wish him nothing but the best in the next journey.”
CORNERBACK CHAMP BAILEY
“Peyton was the best quarterback that I faced in my NFL career. Beyond that, he was a great teammate during our two seasons together in Denver. He set the bar extremely high in terms of what it takes to be a great player in this league, and the NFL will miss him, for sure. I congratulate Peyton on his incredible NFL career and wish him all the best in his retirement.”
