Peyton Manning, Oh What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been

A lot has been discussed this week regarding Peyton Manning and his possible retirement. After 18 seasons, the NFL superstar and future Hall of Famer has now made it to the Super Bowl 3 times.

“The Sheriff”, “The Caveman”, “The Goat”, or whatever you want to call him, Peyton Manning only has one Super Bowl victory under his belt but he is still widely considered to be the best to ever play the game.

-Stats and Records Galore

Peyton has won the NFL’s MVP honors five times. He has been voted into the Pro Bowl 14 times. The most passing touch downs in NFL history (539), the most touch down passes in a season (55), the most passing yards in a season (5,477)… we could keep going on and on here, but I think it’s safe to say we are talking about one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and yes, I have heard of Tom Brady.

However, there is one record that Peyton Manning does not hold exclusively, and that is most career wins as a starting quarterback.

If this truly is Peyton Manning’s last time screaming “Omaha” behind center on Sunday, and if winning the Super Bowl isn’t motivation enough, Peyton Manning needs just one more victory to move ahead of Brett Favre for the most career wins as a starting QB. As of now, both currently have 186 wins.

While Tom Brady (172 wins) does have the higher winning percentage, time is one thing that is never guaranteed in this League. Peyton has battled through many injuries, he’s had numerous neck surgeries, and many thought he would be done by this point. But father time has yet to seal the deal on the old man, who amazingly just keeps coming back year after year.

Manning has pretty much dismissed all of the retirement talk in 2016 (while hinting that this may be it), and he is choosing to focus his words on Super Bowl 50 primarily. Would he retire if the Broncos win? The Magic 8 Ball says “Very Likely”, but the real question is would Peyton come back if Denver should lose to the Panthers.

Nobody really knows, and honestly I wonder if Peyton even really knows. Manning would be 40 years old going into his nineteenth season, and he may not even be considered a starter should he return. I simply find it hard to believe that he would be fine with being a back up quarterback, I mean, this is Peyton Manning we’re talking about.

Perhaps just playing in the Super Bowl for a fourth time is good enough to ride off into the sunset as a winner, whether he wins the game or not. One thing that is certain, Peyton Manning will have life after football. Whether he wants to be an analyst, a coach, or if he just wants to do commercials and make epic appearances on SNL, the world is still in the palm of Peyton’s hands.

So when you’re watching the big game this Sunday, take a second to enjoy what could be the last hurrah for one of the most phenomenal athletes that you will see in your life time. The NFL was blessed when Peyton Manning hit the scene, and they remained blessed for the last 18 years.

Millions of fans will be rooting for number 18 to win his second ring this weekend. And understandably so. It would be the perfect ending.

But if this is his last game, we should probably all take the time to say much thanks for all the memories and all the years of quality entertainment, as it truly has been a pleasure.

Pics by @LivelyNow

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