Peyton Manning has officially announced his retirement after an 18-year NFL career.
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
“I finished my football race, and after 18 years, it’s time,” Manning said during a press conference Monday.
“When you look at everything Peyton has accomplished as a player and person, it’s easy to see how fortunate we’ve been to have him on our team,” Broncos executive vice president of football operations and general manager John Elway said in a statement. “Peyton was everything that we thought he was and even more — not only for the football team but in the community.”
Manning won two Super Bowls in four attempts, and retires as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns, passing yards, and quarterback wins.
The 39-year-old was also a Super Bowl MVP, 14-time Pro Bowl selection, and a seven-time first-team All-Pro.
“You changed the game forever and made everyone around you better,” New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said in a Facebook post referring to Peyton.
“It was a blessing to coach Peyton Manning,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said in a statement. “Nobody worked harder at the game and nobody prepared harder than Peyton. His preparation was the best I’ve ever seen with how we went about his business. There was nothing like his work habits. Each and every week, he did everything he could to get ready to play not only against the defense but even against the coordinator.”