The Denver Broncos announced the signing of quarterback Peyton Manning in a press conference this afternoon, where Manning shared the podium with team owner Pat Bowlen and Hall of Fame quarterback and Broncos’ vice president John Elway.
Seeing Manning and Elway standing together as a team is an impressive sight, arguably two of the heads you’d want carved if you were making a Mount Rushmore of NFL Quarterbacks. Clearly the relationship between the two is one of the reasons that Manning was more comfortable in Denver than any of the other candidates. “I’ve always had a relationship with John, and it goes back a long way,” Manning said. “I’m seeing John now in a different role. I’ve always seen him as a quarterback… Now I’m seeing him as the leader of a franchise, and I really liked what he had to say. Everyone knows what kind of competitor he is as a player, but he’s just as competitive in this new role. And that got me excited.”
Elway was equally excited about the announcement. “My goal is to make Peyton Manning the best quarterback that’s ever played the game,” Elway said. “And he’s got that ability with the football that he’s got left.”
Elway went on to say that Manning is going to make everyone on the team better, adding, “He’s already made them better and they haven’t even all met him yet, just for the type of person he is, his reputation, and what he’s done in this league.”
Manning was characteristically humble and down to earth in his comments, focusing on getting to work, as he always has been. Back when he was the number one overall selection in the 1998 draft, he was asked what he was going to do with his big signing bonus in his rookie contract, and his answer was, “Earn it.” His work ethic hasn’t changed over the years.
“That’s what I look forward to doing – going to work,” Manning said during the press conference. “I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates and doing everything I can to help this franchise win another Super Bowl.”
Manning will wear jersey number 18, despite the fact that the number had been retired, as it was worn by the Broncos first starting quarterback Frank “The Trip” Tripucka, who played with the Broncos from their inception in 1960 until 1963. Manning displayed his characteristic humility and respect for the game as he spoke about his conversation with Tripucka, who is now 84 years old.
“I had the privilege of speaking with Frank Tripucka this morning,” Manning said. “It really goes against everything I believe, being a guy that appreciates the history of football, I believe that if a number is retired it should stay retired. But in talking to Frank Tripucka, I feel that he really wants me to wear his number, and it was a very humbling conversation.”
Manning has always been a class act – one of the best players in the history of the league, and one of the hardest workers. His presence will begin improving the Broncos before he even throws a pass.
