“18’s a good number, and after 18 years I retire from the game of football.” That’s how Peyton Manning officially retired from the game of football.
But much, much more went into the ceremony that bid farewell to one of the greatest quarterbacks to every play the game.
Mile High Sports had a team on the scene, capturing the moments – along with some of our friends in the Denver media – that Broncos Country will remember for a lifetime.
Here’s a look back at the scenes from Peyton Manning’s retirement press conference on March 7, 2016, where he closed by saying, “After 18 years, it’s time. God bless all of you and God bless football.”
The calm before the storm…
The calm before the storm. #Broncos #Manning pic.twitter.com/wOAgWy1o2X
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
The agenda…
Retirement plan for today: video presentation for Manning, #Manning will speak and take few questions. #Broncos pic.twitter.com/2sdxrsbT75
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
The podium…
This is where #Broncos #Manning will stand in less than an hour. #ManningRetires pic.twitter.com/6YsNq0ovRQ
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
Peyton’s parting gift…
Peyton Manning. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/2NJNyIgo7N
— NFL (@NFL) March 7, 2016
The media guide to Peyton’s career…
PEYTON: Press kit w/ Manning's career/Broncos accomplishments is a book..his own media kit #ManningRetires pic.twitter.com/DqERVs4eAC
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) March 7, 2016
Peyton is in the building…
Peyton has arrived.https://t.co/TGymXxiHVn
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 7, 2016
While TV trucks fill the parking lot…
PEYTON: Major activity outside of Dove Valley in preparation for Manning press conference. #ManningRetirement pic.twitter.com/fBQHWdN4b9
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) March 7, 2016
A panoramic view as the room starts to fill…
PEYTON: Media members still finding their assigned seats. Calm before the storm #ManningRetires pic.twitter.com/lwO2xbS1Wb
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) March 7, 2016
Not a seat in the house…
Packed house! #Broncos #ManningRetires pic.twitter.com/lJaU24a2JE
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
DT greets mamma Manning…
.@DemaryiusT with Olivia Manning. pic.twitter.com/XknvR6gN8R
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 7, 2016
Dad is in the house as well…
Archie Manning here with his family. #ManningRetires #Broncos pic.twitter.com/tLRR0LmKbb
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
Fellow captain David Bruton made it out…
#Broncos Captain David Bruton Jr is here pic.twitter.com/9nepuYdWsO
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) March 7, 2016
As did former Broncos safety John Lynch…
John Lynch here to support his good friend Peyton Manning. #Broncos #ManningRetires pic.twitter.com/UmrkHtuQkA
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller was a late arrival…
#Broncos and #SB50 MVP Von Miller here for #ManningRetires pic.twitter.com/L7hKm2QPwL
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
The three horsemen…
Here we go.. #ManningRetires #Broncos pic.twitter.com/3FGnKK3ZSh
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
President and CEO Joe Ellis started the festivities…
"Peyton Manning made our team better, out organization better, and our community better" #Broncos Joe Ellis pic.twitter.com/PxCgCxPBlB
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) March 7, 2016
PEYTON: Elway, Ellis, Manning enter… #ManningRetires pic.twitter.com/D5EGXH4OB4
— Mile High Sports (@MileHighSports) March 7, 2016
And ended by saying Manning will be in the Broncos Ring of Fame…
#Broncos Joe Ellis, "Peyton we look forward to your Ring of Fame induction and your Hall of Fame induction."
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
John Elway followed, fighting off a cold…
Elway now pays tribute. Voice is raspy. Says he's been sick since super bowl. I feel ya! pic.twitter.com/5VGZdPqF16
— Darren McKee (@DMacSportsCO) March 7, 2016
Only one man in the room really knows what Manning is going through…
"Having been through it, I know how hard of a day this is for him." #Broncos GM John Elway on Peyton Manning pic.twitter.com/gioeCLbJtT
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) March 7, 2016
But another had a one-of-a-kind bond with him over the last year…
#Broncos coach Gary Kubiak says Peyton was not happy when he was benched after #Chiefs game, but was a team player pic.twitter.com/r2OPKEoprn
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) March 7, 2016
Kubiak speaking and giving props. He was his coach for nine months. "It's been a great nine months but wasn't easy" pic.twitter.com/kU4LgSGaok
— Darren McKee (@DMacSportsCO) March 7, 2016
Coach Kubiak was emotional recounting his time with Manning…
Gary Kubiak getting emotional telling the story of Peyton's rehab. Great stuff! pic.twitter.com/ywNlhzvhag
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) March 7, 2016
As was Manning, when he finally took the podium…
#Manning speaks… pic.twitter.com/UYRzojUuuk
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 7, 2016
Manning's voice quakes with emotion when he talks about Johnny Unitas, meeting him in 1998 and hoping he made him proud.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) March 7, 2016
Manning was very grateful for the second chance he got in his career thanks to Denver…
Manning: "Grateful is the word that comes to my mind when thinking of the Denver Broncos." pic.twitter.com/APUPVXgwNK
— Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) March 7, 2016
Manning, above all, shared his love of the game …
"I love the game. You don't have to wonder if I'll miss it. Absolutely. Absolutely." Peyton Manning pic.twitter.com/mhP8KlTgqk
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) March 7, 2016
From start to finish, Manning’s emotion was on display; the room was more than dusty …
No surprise. Just an incredible speech. Touching all the bases. Lots of tears welling up here pic.twitter.com/oc9K7yXiMD
— Darren McKee (@DMacSportsCO) March 7, 2016
Before taking questions from the media, Manning and the Broncos’ brain trust memorialized the moment …
"After 18 years, it's time." pic.twitter.com/Hqa3DhNvuP
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 7, 2016
When asked about his plans for the future, Manning said that nothing has been ruled out, but he’ll take some much-needed vacation before settling on anything …
Peyton's going on another vacation. No decisions yet on his future, but he hasn't ruled anything out pic.twitter.com/NAJj4vmonM
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) March 7, 2016
Manning then said that when his daughter asked whether the Super Bowl would be his last game ever, he got a little suspicious as to her motivations …
Peyton jokes that he thought his daughter was a source for @mortreport and @AdamSchefter. https://t.co/6PKSGULVsp
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 7, 2016
And, of course, he signed off with one last “Omaha!”
https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/706916283300843520
Congrats, Manning! You can always call Broncos Country home!
Peyton with teammates past and present. Great to see so many of them here pic.twitter.com/obuMLNhJCj
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) March 7, 2016