Peyton Manning has officially announced that he has retired from the NFL following an illustrious 18-year career.
The 39-year-old informed the Denver Broncos of his decision yesterday, but today announced the news himself having steered the Broncos to the Super Bowl championship in his final game.
The surprise victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 saw Manning become the first quarterback to lead two different franchises to the title, adding another record to a long list of landmarks and milestones he has surpassed in the game.
"There's something about 18 years. It's a good number. Today I retire... I revere football, I love the game. So you don't need to wonder if I'll miss it. Absolutely I will," he told reporters.
"There were other players who were more talented, but there was no one who could outprepare me. I have finished my football race.
"Maybe I don't throw as well as I used to, run as well as I used to. But I've always had a good sense of timing."
Manning will go down as one of the greatest players to have ever played the game and retires boasting the all-time records for regular-season touchdown passes (539), passing yards (71,940) and wins (186, equal Brett Favre), while his win total of 200 including playoff games is also a record.
The former number one Draft pick, who began his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, was also voted the league's MVP on a record five occasions.
Barney Corkhill
