Peyton Manning

Background

Peyton Manning is a household name in the sports world, and his outstanding athleticism has won him die-hard fans all over the globe. Awarded the N.F.L.’s Most Valuable Player five times, Manning is known for his audibles, with the Omaha move being one of his most recognized. Manning was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His zodiac sign is Aries. He comes from sports royalty. His father, Archie Manning, is a former American football quarterback who was selected twice for the Pro Bowl and made it to the College Football Hall of Fame (1989). Manning’s brothers, Cooper and Eli, are also both football players.

Manning began his journey at Isidore Newman School, where he was a starter and led his team to victory during his three seasons. The exceptional athlete, who won the Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player-of-the-Year, was set for success from a young age with an impressive track record in high school football. By the time college came around, he had his choice of pickings as several college scouts had noticed him and were trying to recruit him. Manning wore the #18 jersey in honor of his brother Cooper who stopped playing professional football due to a spinal injury. Opting not to play college football for Ole Miss — his father and brother’s alma mater, Manning chose to play for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. The choice proved to be a good one. Manning broke the record of Southeastern Conference (SEC) career wins at the time and became one of Tennessee’s leading passers. 1998 would be the year to launch his career, with Manning selected to play with the Indianapolis Colts. He stayed with the team until 2012, when he was let go after a neck injury that kept him from playing the 2011 season. He was then recruited by the Denver Broncos, with whom he played until 2015.

In between a busy sports career, Manning also co-wrote a book with his father dubbed “Manning: A Father, His Sons, and a Football Legacy” (2000). He also lent his voice to a character in the famous satirical cartoon, “The Simpsons,” in 2009. Having played in 17 N.F.L. seasons, Manning has two Superbowl wins and has previously earned the title of Most Valuable Player (M.V.P.) in Super Bowl 50. The quarterback was eventually inducted into the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame (2016) and the College Football Hall of Fame (2017) for his audibles. Manning, who retired in 2016, has been commended for being one of the greats of American football, with his jersey being the first ever to be retired by the Colts following their move to Indianapolis.

Manning married Ashley Thompson in 2001, and together, the couple has twins and live in Denver, Colorado. Manning also hosts the series “Peyton’s Places” (2019), which is a football documentary that delves into the history of the N.F.L. through interviews with key figures in the field.