Although it has not officially been announced, everybody has to assume the Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning will be retiring after winning his second Super Bowl. There are many reasons to believe this, whether it be because he won the Super Bowl and would like to go out on top, or maybe the fact he has been banged up all year, missing several games due to multiple injuries. If that isn’t enough reason to believe the old man is retiring, after the AFC Championship game, he told Patriots coach Bill Belichick that was his “last rodeo”. While many of us around here are devastated after the Panthers loss last night, football fans all over have to respect and appreciate the illustrious career of Peyton Manning, and reminisce on his greatness after what looks to be his last football game.

Manning, the son of Archie Manning and brother of quarterback Eli Manning, was the first pick of the 1998 draft, coming out of Tennessee. Peyton began his career with the Indianapolis Colts, and this is where he made his name. Playing for the Colts until 2011, Manning earned himself 4 league MVP’s, 2 super bowl appearances, 1 Super Bowl, and the honor of retiring his jersey. It looked as if he would spend his whole career in Indianapolis, but after a serious neck injury sidelined him for the season, ending his streak of 227 straight games started, and ultimately ending his career as a Colt.

Many feared this injury would be the end of his career, but with the help of great doctors and his relentless work ethic, Peyton was traded to the Broncos earned his starting spot. Once in Denver he earned himself his fifth league MVP, and 2 more Super Bowl appearances, capping it all off with his 200th career win, the most all time, last night against the Panthers. Manning lets his stats do the talking for him; he holds the record for oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, most pass touchdowns in career, most seasons with at least 4,000 yards passing, and the first quarterback to defeat all 30 franchises. Despite all these incredible accomplishments, Manning remains grounded and is a true class act and a great representative of the sport of football. He is what every NFL quarterback should strive to become.

As many fans across the country celebrate the win or console one another after the loss last night, don’t forget to look at the bigger picture. One of the best quarterbacks to walk the face of the Earth seems to be done, and he deserves the upmost respect from everyone.