NFL quarterback Peyton Manning was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1976. The son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, and the older brother of New York Giants QB Eli Manning, Peyton is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. He won an NFL-record five MVP awards, as well as two Super Bowl championships. Manning announced his retirement from the NFL in March 2016.
Manning enrolled at the University of Tennessee in 1994, where his dominance continued. Over his four-year career, Manning torched opponents with a big arm and dead-on accuracy, setting an astounding 42 conference, school and NCAA records. In all, he passed for 11,201 yards, registered 863 completions and connected for 89 touchdowns.
In 1998, the Indianapolis Colts selected Manning with the first overall pick in the NFL draft. For a franchise with a recent record of hard luck and plenty of losses, Manning was quickly embraced as a savior.
After winning his first MVP award in 2003, Manning went on to capture the award four more times (2004, 2008, 2009 and 2013), becoming the first NFL player ever to achieve that distinction. In addition, he became the fastest player to compile 50,000 career yards and 4,000 completions. In 2014, Manning added to his list of personal records by surpassing Brett Favre with his 509th career touchdown pass.
In February 2016, after another thrilling win against Brady and the Patriots in the AFC title game, Manning closed out the season in storybook fashion with a victory over the favored Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. In March 2016, Manning announced his retirement from the NFL. «I fought a good fight and now I finish my football race,» Manning said at a press conference. «After 18 years, it’s time. God bless all of you, and god bless football.»