Peyton Manning
The number 1 pick who led Indianapolis to two Super Bowls and a historic title win.
via Wikipedia: Tom Brady–Peyton Manning rivalry · see source
Peyton Manning was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the number 1 pick in the 1998 NFL draft. He played for the franchise until its final game of the 2010 season, leading them to two Super Bowl appearances and winning one championship. During his fourteen-year tenure with Indianapolis, Manning secured a record five MVP awards over his entire 18-year career, though only some were won while wearing the Colts uniform. He made the Pro Bowl multiple times and was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.
- Draft Status
- number 1 pick (1998 NFL draft)
- Super Bowl Title
- Champion XLI
- MVP Awards
- 5 total career awards
- Pro Bowls
- Multiple Selections
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Manning's time with the Colts began after he was drafted first overall in 1998. He led the team to two Super Bowl appearances during his fourteen years, winning one of them. A neck injury caused him to miss the entire 2011 season, a year in which the Colts finished 2–14 without him. Following that season, Manning became expendable as the franchise secured the number 1 pick again to select Andrew Luck. On March 20, 2012, after fourteen years with the organization, Manning signed with the Denver Broncos. Despite his departure, his impact on Indianapolis remained profound; he and Tom Brady are among the few starting quarterbacks to win Super Bowls with multiple franchises.
In Their Own Story
The turning point for Peyton Manning in Indianapolis came when a neck injury forced him out for the entire 2011 season. The Colts struggled immensely without their leader, finishing with a 2–14 record. This poor performance allowed the team to secure the number 1 pick in the subsequent draft, where they selected Andrew Luck. Recognizing that Manning was no longer necessary for the rebuild and facing his own recovery needs, the organization moved on. On March 20, 2012, Manning officially signed with the Denver Broncos, ending his fourteen-year run as the face of the Indianapolis franchise.
Reader's Guide
Peyton Manning's tenure with the Indianapolis Colts spanned from his selection in the 1998 NFL draft through the final game of the 2010 season. During these fourteen years, he led the team to two Super Bowl appearances, capturing one championship title. His leadership was defined by an extraordinary individual record; he won a total of five MVP awards across his career, with several achieved during his time in Indianapolis. He also earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and was eventually named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. The era concluded abruptly due to health reasons, as a neck injury sidelined him for the entire 2011 season, leading to his departure from the team in March 2012.
Did You Know?
- A neck injury caused Manning to miss the entire 2011 season.
- The Colts finished 2–14 in 2011 without Manning, securing the #1 draft pick for Andrew Luck.
- Manning signed with the Denver Broncos on March 20, 2012, after fourteen years with Indianapolis.
- He led the Colts to two Super Bowl appearances and won one during his time in Indianapolis.