Sports

NFL's Peyton Manning to Retire Monday

The quarterback of the Denver Broncos limps off the field a two-time Super Bowl champion.

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Peyton Manning is retiring a champion.

The Denver Broncos, winners of Super Bowl 50, issued a statement Sunday that Manning would announce on Monday that his 18-year career is over.

Manning played 14 years for the Indianapolis Colts before being lured to Denver by John Elway, Broncos executive vice president of football operations and general manager.

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"When you look at everything Peyton has accomplished as a player and person, it's easy to see how fortunate we've been to have him on our team," Elway said in a statement. "Peyton was everything that we thought he was and even more -- not only for the football team but in the community. I'm very thankful Peyton chose to play for the Denver Broncos, and I congratulate him on his Hall of Fame career."

Congratulations Peyton, on an incredible career. You changed the game forever and made everyone around you better. It's been an honor.

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Posted by Tom Brady on Sunday, March 6, 2016

Manning, 39, missed the entire 2011 season recovering from spinal fusion surgery, and he sat out seven games last season with an injured foot.

He leaves the NFL, though, as a sure-fire NFL Hall of Famer, having made four Super Bowl trips with two titles. He also goes out as the reigning all-time NFL leader in passing touchdowns (539), passing yards (71,940) and quarterback wins (186, tied with Brett Favre).

He was a Super Bowl MVP, a 14-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. His teams made the playoffs in 15 of his 18 seasons. The Broncos made two Super Bowl trips in Manning's final three seasons.

"It was a blessing to coach Peyton Manning. Nobody worked harder at the game and nobody prepared harder than Peyton," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said in a statement. "His preparation was the best I've ever seen with how he went about his business. There was nothing like his work habits. Each and every week, he did everything he could to get ready to play not only against the defense but even against the coordinator."

Image Credit: Jeffrey Beall via Flickr Creative Commons

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