Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is expected to retire on Monday, ESPN reported on Sunday, putting an end to weeks of speculation that his 18th season would be his last.
Manning picked a good time to call it quits. He recently led the Broncos to victory in Super Bowl 50, earning his second Super Bowl title.
Manning received an outpouring of support from fans and teammates on social media.
Thank you, Peyton, and congratulations on your magnificent 18-year NFL career! https://t.co/YdMt19tQ2i pic.twitter.com/jYDXpMmlUA
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 6, 2016
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
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
Have a career, Peyton Manning!! pic.twitter.com/qRnhXHHurG
— NFL (@NFL) March 6, 2016
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
https://twitter.com/Ky1eLong/status/706510477233364993
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
Peyton & I were kind of tight when we were teammate's.. Here's a 100% true story for adults (18+) 2 enjoy #HesTheManhttps://t.co/eqDdief7RZ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 6, 2016
“Peyton was everything that we thought he was and even more — not only for the football team but in the community,” Broncos general manager and former quarterback John Elway said in a statement. “I’m very thankful Peyton chose to play for the Denver Broncos, and I congratulate him on his Hall of Fame career.”
Manning ends his career as the all-time NFL record holder for passing yards and touchdown passes and is the only NFL quarterback to win Super Bowls with two teams (the Broncos and the Colts). But he also faced several scandals at the end of his career, including allegations of doping and sexual harassment.
If you’re a Manning fan, celebrate his retirement by revisiting his classic interview with Will Ferrell‘s Ron Burgundy character.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGV2icdO-MA
Update 1:04pm CT, March 6: Added Pat McAfee tweet.
Photo via Jeffrey Beall/Flickr (CC BY SA 2.0)