Peyton Manning Loves Denver and Denver Loves Him
By Brad James
The legendary former NFL QB Peyton Manning, who blessed Colorado with his talents, showed his love for the city of Denver and the Broncos
Wednesday evening, future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning expressed his love for Denver.
This special night saw him inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
It comes 20 years after the Colts made him the #1 overall draft pick in 1998.
How Manning came to Denver in the first place is a fascinating story in and of itself.
After setting numerous records and leading the Colts to a 2006 Super Bowl title, things went south. Manning suffered a devastating neck injury, which forced him to miss the 2011 season.
The 2011 lockout also complicated things as the Colts could not provide medical treatment for him. When he came to Denver in 2012, there was much uncertainty going into this time.
Nevertheless, when he retired after the Super Bowl 50-winning season in 2015, it proved a success. His time in Denver saw him win the MVP in 2013 and compete in two Super Bowls.
He completed 66.5 percent of his passes, throwing for 17,112 yards, 140 TD’s and 53 INT’s. His numbers in Denver were the best of his career in completion percentage (66.5-65.3 percent).
Nevertheless, the greatest reception he ever experienced in Denver was Wednesday evening. Despite the applause, Manning humbly gave others the credit.
In this way, he showed himself to be akin to another Broncos legend, owner Pat Bowlen. In any event, when Manning is eventually enshrined in Canton, he will acknowledge Denver’s role.
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It just seems to be his style. He has always shown class (and humor) in his dealings with others. His gift for gab and distinctive talents beyond football gave him a role in the film “Ferdinand” as well.
Anyway, I have alluded to this several times before, but I share a link with Manning.
One of my college professors at Southern Utah University, Jon Smith, taught Manning in college.
This, of course, was at the University of Tennessee and Smith was impressed by him.
One day at SUU, during class, we were giving oral presentations. Before we commenced, Smith told all of us that Manning gave the best presentation he’d ever heard.
Manning spoke of the euphoria he felt coming out of the tunnel at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. Smith, who doesn’t like sports at all, still enjoyed Manning’s presentation.
Thus, even I, the great Bradfather, cannot hold a candle to Manning in any sphere.
How blessed and lucky the Broncos and Colorado were to have him.