DENVER — Peyton Manning’s four years in the Mile High City led fans on a roller coaster ride. But that ride couldn’t come to a better end, helping Manning leave behind a lasting legacy.
Many would say Manning was destined to become an NFL great. The son of Archie Manning, Peyton was born into football royalty and was named National High School Football Player of the Year.
Wanted by numerous colleges, Manning chose the University of Tennessee where he shattered records. And although he didn’t win the Heisman Trophy, Manning was the top pick in the 1998 NFL draft when he was taken by the Indianapolis Colts.
Manning flourished in Indianapolis. He earned four MVP titles and won the Super Bowl in the 2006 season. He spent 13 seasons with the Colts without an injury, starting in 227 straight games.
That streak came to an end in 2011 when Manning underwent four surgeries to repair a damaged nerve in his neck and missing the season. The Colts cut him ahead of free agency because they were going to draft quarterback Andrew Luck.
He was offered a five-year, $96 million deal that he signed with the Broncos in March 2012.
“I’m very excited to begin the next chapter of my playing career for the Denver Broncos,” Manning said after he signed. “I can tell this organization is committed to winning.”
With the No. 18 18 on his back, the expectations for Manning were high. Would he be able to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the Mile High City?
Each year the Super Bowl was within the Broncos’ grasp but to no avail. There was the heartbreaking double-overtime playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 season.
In 2013, the Broncos amassed the greatest offensive season in NFL history, with Manning throwing 55 touchdowns and winning a record fifth MVP title. The Broncos made the Super Bowl for the first time in 15 years but were routed by the Seattle Seahawks, 43-8.
In 2014, Manning broke Brett Favre’s all-time touchdown record, but injuries started to slow him down and the Broncos again lost in the divisional round of the playoffs.
A foot injury forced Manning to the sideline for six games in the 2015 season, and with a new coach and Manning at 39, many fans worried the season was going to be another bust.
But Manning came to the rescue in the second half of the regular-season finale against the San Diego Chargers, leading a comeback that secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. He then led the Broncos past the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots and back into the Super Bowl.
Fans had high hopes when the Broncos met the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Led by the defense, Manning did just enough as the Broncos won their third championship.