Early Sunday morning news broke that Peyton Manning was (officially) retiring from the NFL. As the sports world woke to the news, here’s a look at some of the top reactions from across the local and national landscape…
John Elway set the tone…
Peyton was everything we thought he was and even more – for our team & community. What an AMAZING career & we're thankful he was a Bronco!!
— John Elway (@johnelway) March 6, 2016
Super Bowl MVP Von Miller shared a video farewell…
Von Miller's message to Peyton Manning:https://t.co/QtEBqTsd48
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) March 6, 2016
Bennie Fowler now knows he’s part of history…
https://twitter.com/b_fowler13/status/706521652985638912
Longtime Broncos safety David Bruton was a fellow captain with Manning…
Honor and a privilege to not only play along side of #PeytonManning, but to also lead the team… https://t.co/RZpkERohm2
— David BRUTON JR. PT, DPT (@D_Brut30) March 6, 2016
Chris Harris Jr. says Manning was the ultimate team player…
Congrats To PM on retiring . PM was the ultimate Team player and Great friend glad to see him go… https://t.co/6IVpABchP7
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) March 6, 2016
Linebacker Brandon Marshall shared this hilarious look at Manning “dripping” and “dabbing”…
DAB!! P 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/ERotqxX6Ng
— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshh) March 6, 2016
Former Broncos receiver and current radio color analyst Ed McCaffrey issued his congratulations…
Congrats Peyton, you played the QB position & game to perfection. Showed generations, including my boys, how to be a pro. Enjoy retirement!
— Ed McCaffrey (@87ed) March 6, 2016
Another Broncos legend, Shannon Sharpe, said Twitter wasn’t sufficient space to say all he wanted to about Manning, so he kept things simple…
Wanted to say what Manning means to me.140 characters wouldn't do it justice So I'll just say, Thank you Peyton. #BroncosCountry #sheriff
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) March 6, 2016
Broncos running back C.J. Anderson echoed the sentiments of many fans…
Sad day in sports
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 6, 2016
And offered his own thoughts on playing with Manning…
Man thank you P thank you 4 all the memories I love you man believe me I have a friend 4 life. A 9 year old fan to a teammate P G.O.A.T
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 6, 2016
Broncos safety Darian Stewart was honored to share the field with the legendary QB…
Congrats to my man PM on an amazing career. It was an honor to play with one of the greatest & to win it all with him.
— Darian Stewart (@darianstewart26) March 6, 2016
Receiver Jordan Norwood feels blessed to have played with Manning…
Honored to have played and got a ring with the GOAT!! Blessings to you P! https://t.co/ojTob8wyve
— JORDAN (@jordanorwood) March 6, 2016
Running back Kapri Bibbs reminded us (and Manning) about their age difference…
I was 5 years old when Peyton entered the league 😂😂😂
— 3KingBibbs5 (@KapriBibbs) March 6, 2016
But ultimately paid his respects…
But what a great leader and teammate
— 3KingBibbs5 (@KapriBibbs) March 6, 2016
Defensive tackle Sylvester Williams felt blessed as well…
I've been blessed to play with one of the best of all time Peyton and win a Super Bowl! Thanks got the everything PM!
— Sylvester Williams (@Sylwil92) March 6, 2016
Linebacker Danny Trevathan wants Manning to keep the “cold ones” on ice for him…
Sheriff G.O.A.T & The LionBacker…it's truly been an honor PM. Enjoy it and save me like 1 or 2 cold ones lol #GR8 pic.twitter.com/9TrdbrJTOo
— Danny Trevathan (@Grindin_59) March 6, 2016
Olympic and World Cup gold medalist Lindsey Vonn bid her farewell…
Congrats on an amazing career #PeytonManning! We will miss you! #legend
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) March 6, 2016
FOX Sports reporter was happy for Manning, happier for his colleague…
Happy for Peyton Manning riding off on his own terms… happier that @mortreport kicked my ass on this story!
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 6, 2016
Former Broncos offensive lineman and now NFL analyst Mark Schlereth shared this adorable video of his granddaughter and how Manning has shaped her life…
Manning retires w/many records, one of the most important he has created generations of fans like my granddaughter https://t.co/Da0ujw2yit
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) March 6, 2016
Manning’s old teammate, Pat McAfee, joked about his other endeavors’ success…
I'm happy the big fella is riding off in2 the Sunset…Another Super Bowl ring, some free Bud Light, Papa Johns is booming..Congrats Peyton
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 6, 2016
Eric Goodman on Mile High Sports AM 1340 remembers a prophetic thought…
My most indelible Manning memory: Watching him carve up #Broncos in 2004 playoffs & thinking, it would be something if he played in Denver?
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) March 6, 2016
NFL Network shared these top-10 highlights from his career…
With 18 years of memories, here are the top 10 moments of a legendary career. Enjoy.https://t.co/oDiBEC6mC4
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 6, 2016
Mike Greenberg of ESPN couldn’t resist a final shot at Manning…
For my money, Peyton Manning was the best regular season quarterback I ever saw. I'll take him over anybody from September to December.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) March 6, 2016
Peyton Manning retires as one of greatest players in history of American sports. His exact place is fun to debate, impossible to determine.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) March 6, 2016
But a New England blogger stood up for Manning, and pointed out an interesting fact…
People say "Regular Season GOAT" as backhand. Patriots never reached Super Bowl when Peyton's team had better seed. https://t.co/vOFC4zzL3D
— Rich Hill (@PP_Rich_Hill) March 6, 2016
Manning reportedly spoke to his longtime rival, Tom Brady, the night his decision was made…
Tom Brady was one of the people Peyton Manning reached out to last night. That's pretty cool.
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) March 6, 2016
Trey Wingo had a funny take, as usual…
Peyton Manning retiring Monday leaves @Hasselbeck as potentially the last active player from the 1998 draft… just like we all thought
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 6, 2016
Rick Reilly noted the pressing urgency of the Broncos QB situation in the decision…
https://twitter.com/ReillyRick/status/706498161129365504
CW2’s Kami Carmann noted the ironic timing of the announcement…
As every (not one) media member mentioned in the Peyton Manning Retirement sweepstakes -Announcement comes Sunday morning 5:45AM time slot!
— Kami Carmann (@KamiCarmann) March 6, 2016
Yahoo’s Frank Schwab noted the importance of Manning’s “second act,” with Denver…
Peyton Manning had the greatest second act of any great QB ever. He's a Broncos legend too: https://t.co/myntHBDGMc pic.twitter.com/MPPRIt8V5a
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) March 6, 2016
And an eye-popping stat…
Peyton Manning has more All-Pro first-team picks than Montana, Brady, Bradshaw, Starr and Elway … combined.
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) March 6, 2016
Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com looked forward, and back…
Next stop for Peyton Manning: Ring of Fame & @profootballhof. No. 18, loaned by the Tripucka family, will not be worn by a Bronco again.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) March 6, 2016