Peyton Manning
Star NFL quarterback Peyton Manning is the son of former pro quarterback Archie Manning, and the brother of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. When the two brothers’ teams oppose each other with Peyton and Eli starting, the media spectacle is known as “The Manning Bowl.” Denver Bronco fans anticipate future success from Peyton Manning, as he wears Frank Tripucka’s retired jersey number 18, with the former owner’s blessing.
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Eli Manning during a 2007 training camp (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Star National Football League quarterback Peyton Manning was born March 24, 1976 in New Orleans, and is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, who played for the New Orleans Saints, the Houston Oilers and the Minnesota Vikings. Peyton also has a younger brother, Eli who’s quarterback of the New York Giants.
A game that features the Manning brothers opposing each others as starters is referred to as “The Manning Bowl.” The premier of this media-stimulating event took place on September 10, 2006 with Peyton leading the Indianapolis Colts in a 26 to 21 victory over the New York Giants with Eli as quarterback. Peyton also won the next meeting with his brother by a margin of 38 to 14 as the Colts defeated the Giants again.
Peyton Manning was chosen first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 NFL Draft, based on his college football career at the University of Tennessee. In Manning’s initial NFL season, he set five rookie records, passing for a total of 3,739 yards and throwing 26 touchdowns. His accomplishments earned him a spot on the NFL All-Rookie First Team.
In the 2003 season, Indianapolis got off to an impressive start of five wins straight that eventually led to a Wild Card playoff victory, by a score of 41 to 10, over Manning’s future team, the Denver Broncos. Following the game, Peyton was elected Player of the Week for the third time in 2003. The Colts defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 38 to 31 in the Divisional Playoffs, but were beaten by the New England Patriots 24 to 14 in the American Football Conference title game. In the 2003 campaign, Manning was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September, received the ESPY Award for Best NFL Player and shared the honor of NFL MVP with Tennessee Titans’ quarterback Steve McNair. Peyton Manning was the league leader that season, throwing for 4,267 passing yards and 29 touchdowns.
Manning maintained his level of play in the following 2004 season, throwing for 4,557 yards and recording a then-record 49 touchdown passes. He was chosen as the 2004 NFL MVP, receiving 49 of 50 possible votes. Manning was also named NFL Offensive Player of the Year and repeated his ESPY Award designation as Best NFL Player. The Colts playoff drive ended for a second straight year against the Patriots with a 20 to 3 loss.
In the 2006 season, Peyton Manning led his Colts to the playoffs again, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 23 to 8 in the Wild Card playoff game. Indianapolis continued with Divisional Playoffs victory over the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 15 to 6, and secured their trip to the Super Bowl by defeating their AFC rivals the New England Patriots 38 to 34. Super Bowl XLI concluded with the Colts over the Chicago Bears by a score of 29 to 17. Manning was named Super Bowl MVP and received the ESPY Award for Best Championship Performance.
Denver fans have high hopes for Peyton Manning’s performance at the helm for the Broncos, following his 2012 signing of a five year contract worth $96 million. He’ll wear Frank Tripucka’s retired jersey number 18, with Tripucka’s permission. Barring unexpected trade or injury, Peyton will next oppose brother Eli in the season of 2013 as Peyton’s Broncos are hosted by Eli’s Giants.
