COLUMN: Manning belongs in discussion as best quarterback of all time
While Peyton Manning might not have as many rings as other quarterbacks, his statistics prove he could be the best ever
The football world celebrated the career of Peyton Manning on Monday as he announced his retirement from the National Football League.
Not only is Manning one of the best quarterbacks of the past two decades, he is one of the greatest of all time.
Manning entered the league in 1998 as the top pick in the NFL Draft. There were many questions surrounding his selection — many thought Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf was the better player.
After four seasons, Leaf was out of the league and Manning had already led his team to the playoffs twice. No one doubted the pick after that.
Manning went on to set multiple NFL records in his remarkable 18-year career. He is the NFL's all-time leader in career passing yards (71,940), passing yards in a season (5,477), career passing touchdowns (539) and passing touchdowns in a season (55), according to espn.com. Manning also has the most MVP awards in league history with five.
There is no doubt, he will one day be in Canton, Ohio inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
But the debate remains: Is he one of the best to ever play?
Many point to his Super Bowl win total as a factor keeping him out of the discussion. Quarterbacks Tom Brady and Joe Montana each have four Super Bowl titles.
While Manning does not have as many Super Bowls as them, he has done something in the game no other quarterback ever has.
Not only did Manning lead the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl in 2006, but he finished his career as a champion with the Denver Broncos, as well. Montana, Johnny Unitas and Brett Favre all changed teams during their careers, but none could win a Super Bowl with two different franchises.
Manning didn't just change the Colts' franchise, he also changed the Broncos'.
For years, he was the face of the Colts and led them to several winning seasons and brought them up from the depths of the NFL. Many critics thought his career was over after he suffered a pinched nerve in his neck and missed the entire 2011 season.
The Colts suffered during his absence and went 2-14. The team did the unthinkable and released Manning, the man that built the franchise and gave it so many great seasons.
Manning signed with Denver and showed he could recover from the injury. In his four seasons with the Broncos, the team won the AFC West each year and Manning led them to the Super Bowl in his final year, despite losing most of his offensive weapons to trades and free agency.
Manning ends his career as the all-time wins leader in Colts' history (399) and second all-time in Broncos' history(140). Never has an athlete in any sport had such an effect on not just one team, but two.
Denver Broncos legendary quarterback and General Manager John Elway spoke at Manning's retirement press conference and called Manning "revolutionary".
He changed the way the no-huddle offense was used. He wasn't just a talented player, but a student of the game.
Critics will always debate his credentials and have always questioned his toughness, but Manning will continue not to listen. He proved them wrong his whole career.
