good buy to one of the greatest. most football players don't have a spectacular career. peyton manning basically had two of them. he retires today a champion. thanks for joining us. i'm kyle clark. peyton manning is respected for his tireless work on and off the field, grew up in new orleans and tennessee and indianapolis and a great quarterback. we are standing by live at the headquarters, our team is down there, we will be hearing from a number of players following

we will invite you who can't get to a television know, we are live streaming on www.9news.com. they are welcome to watch there. we expect everything will last about an hour or so. as we hear from the broncos president, ceo, joe ellis, and gm john elway, followed by coach gary kubiak and peyton manning himself. guys, let's flashback. march 20, 2012. and the denver broncos win the peyton manning sweepstakes. 31 teams. everybody but the colts were am. it he decided to come here. and not everybody in the world thought that was the best idea. do you remember where you were in your heads at that point? >> where we were physically is 10 more feet down the hallway i think here. it is hard to believe it has been three years, and 50 weeks now, i believe, since i know i chose the broncos. this event by the way is so big that there is even a game program like it, like a playoff game. peyton manning 2012 through 2015. for all of the special guests

received one of these. it worked out pretty good, didn't it? in retrospect. >> i remember, we were stalking him, getting to the parking lot there, kind of taking a look at him, and when he took to the field against the steelers there, it was 611 days before his last game, and you see john elway, there is peyton manning. walking in right there. to the podium. he will get ready to address. and coach kubiak there as well. so away from the coach, pretty exciting. it will be interesting to see. emotional. remember when john elway did the retirement and broke down. and peyton did this once in indianapolis and had a tough time like this. >> when he said goodbye to indianapolis, it has been my pleasure to be your quarterback. he had a tough time getting through that. peyton manning is a terrific public speaker. i'm sure this will be tough for him to get through. and i am sure it will be emotional. i would be stunned if it wasn't funny, that he didn't throw some hume near this. but it is really a cool event. and friends, family, both of his parents are here, older brother cooper are here, his children and wife, sitting in

a lot of teammates. this should be a really cool event. >> eli not here. but a lot of the teammates. dt. emanuel sanders. and brandon marshall. peyton touched so many teammates. and they all said they made him better. >> let's listen in. >> support staff. welcome. this is an historic day for the denver broncos and the national football league. it is also a day of reflection and celebration. as we recognize everything that peyton manning did to our organization. now we were fortunate to experience peyton's impact for just a small part, only four seasons of his magnificent 18- year nfl career. but what a special memorable and remarkable time in our history that has been. in this very room, four years

introduced peyton after john elway had signed him as a free agent from the colts. pat talked about how fortunate his organization was, to now have two hall of fame quarterbacks, pat said at the time, our goal has always been to win super bowls, and peyton gives us a chance to win another world championship. right about that. when peyton was on his visit, i had a chance to meet with him. he came by my office. and on a white board, in my office at the time was a rendering of what is now our pat bowlen fieldhouse. and peyton who likes to ask a lot of questions, as we all to be ready? and it took everything i had in me not to say tomorrow. we were doing everything we possibly could to have him come be a member of our organization.

special player peyton was, but what we didn't know was how much his impact would stretch far beyond the playing field. i can stand here today, and tell you that peyton manning made our team better, he made our organization better. and he made our community better. on the field, no team won more than the broncos in the last four years with pate as the quarterback, four division titles, two home ax fc championship game victories and a world championship win in super bowl-50. peyton's final game. no player through more touchdown -- threw more touchdown passes than peyton during that time. we all remember, he had 55 of them in 2013. the most prolific season any quarterback has ever had.

peyton would be that time of record-setting player when he joined here, but that wouldn't have been possible without the incredible amount of hard work, determination and resolve that went into his unprecedented return from injury. that needs to be recognized here today. off the field, peyton was one of the greatest ambassadors this organization and the national football league has ever seen. inside our building, he made sure everyone felt included. and wanted them to know they were an important part of our team that includes practice squad players, it included support staff, even part-time workers. outside our building, whether through his payback foundation, through the team, or on his own, he always made giving back a priority. you heard a lot of the good that he did, the countless

calls, even videos. unacknowledged. that's the way he wanted it. all done with very little fanfare. very little attention drawn to himself. and he didn't give back only when people reached out to him. oftentimes, he was the one making the call, asking what can i do to help? what can i do here? if you look back on his time as a bronco, there are few things peyton wasn't able to do. but he would be the first to tell you it was never about that. it was always about being the best teammate and the best person he could be. peyton, you are all of that and more to the denver broncos and the national football league. if there is a list of achievements needed to attain greatness, you have checked every box. we could not be more proud that you chose to pay for the broncos.

this team. and our organization. we will miss watching you play quarterback. it has been a joy. congratulations on your retirement. and i know all of us here look forward to your ring of fame induction and your pro football hall of fame induction. at this point, i would like to bring up john elway for a few remarks. >> thanks, joe. and i would like to welcome everybody. sorry about my voice. it is amazing how many times i have been sick since that super bowl. at least i used everything up going through the year, but for the past month, it has been up and down healthwise, but it has been all worth it. but i would like to say, you know, i was talking to peyton earlier, this morning, there is not a guy in the nfl that can walk away and say i have done everything that can possibly be

position in the nfl. and no one else can say that. and peyton manning can say that. and that is an unbelievable accomplishment when you really think about what he has done. and you go to, we will hear about the numbers and the wins and the awards, and all of those things are amazing, but to me, the thing that is the most amazing is the way he went about particular and the work ethic, the way he went about the film study, and on the field, and how much it meant to him. i know this is a tough day for him. having been through it, i know it is a hard day for him, because for 18 years, he played this game so great. and he played it as good as anybody has ever played it. and not only that, he has great teammates and teammates who played with him and for him. i would say this. four years ago, when the unimaginable happened, and that was peyton manning was going to

did we actually think, did i actually think we had a shot? i didn't think we had a shot especially with where we were coming from but fortunately we got the first call in and the first trip in and able to show him what pat bowlen did with the colorado broncos and what -- the denver broncos and what colorado is all about and through that process we were able to recruit him and have him come here and play for us. and from that day on, you look at what we have done the last four years, and a lot of that is attributable to this guy. because he has made my job easy. while i could say mr. bowlen wants to win a championship and we want to play with peyton manning and where do i sign. and that's what happened. and that is how we were able to put a great team together and it is about what he meant to this league, and what he was about and what his reputation is to this league, and how he attracted football players. because with great players on team, he had a chance to win a worl championship. and fortunately, we were able

able to get it done without you, peyton. i will say one other thing about peyton and i will turn it over to gary, it was a treat with that quarterback, to be able to watch peyton manning prepare and work and play the game. so many times, when you watch and i will call it the old days, we would get the snap, and we would try to figure out coverage on the way back, and make our read there and go from there. peyton manning revolutionized the game. we all used to think that no huddle was a fast page, get to the line of scrimmage and get people off balance. peyton revolutionized it and you know what, we will get the line of scrimmage and take our time and find out what you're doing and i will pick you apart. and i can't tell you how many times and saw it and dang, and why didn't we think of that? but peyton did think about that. and it was really something. it did revolutionize the game, what he was able to do pre- snap. and another thing. if he was a guy, and every athlete out there, should look

manning is about, of course, the football player, the man, the but peyton manning utilized every aspect that god gave him to be the best football player that he could be. and that is then to me, it is what sets him apart from anybody else, because he got every ounce of ability that he had. and that's what made him so great. and that's why he will be able to walk away from the game like he is walking away today, with things that nobody else has done. so peyton, congratulations. thank you for becoming a denver bronco. we owe you a lot. you are going to ride off in the sunset. we know that there is going to be a hell of lot of things out there for you and you will be successful at those, but thank you so much for the four years have you given us. and also, on behalf of every bronco fan out there, that has not tweeted you, or said thank you, i am going to say on behalf of all of the fans, thank you. gary?

>> good morning. good to see everybody. first off, peyton, i want to say thanks to you and your family for giving me the opportunity today to be a part of this. to be a small part of this. i think it is well documented, obviously i have been with peyton one year, nine months, is weigh said a while ago, peyton -- what i said a while ago, peyton, about right, but myself, like many coaches in the national football league, spent a lot of time trying to beat him. about the last 17 years, i had many opportunities, wasn't very successful. as a matter of fact, we were reminded today that my record when i was in houston was 10-2 and i told patrick, i said patrick, his record is 10-2 as a starter and i think he was 10- 2, 10-1, 10-0 against a lot of coaches in this league. but i have tremendous respect for you. and throughout my years in the league, as a coach, i think we all knew, i knew what he was as a player, what he accomplished as a player, what he was capable of doing as a player.

all respected is what you were as a person. and the way you represented the national football league. i know as a coach, we get reminded all the time about the shield, protecting the shield, doing right by the national football league, and there could not have been a greater example than yourself throughout the years. but it has been a great nine months. and everything ended the right way for the denver broncos. and what a ride it was. but it wasn't easy. was it? it wasn't easy. and what i want to do, is i am going to share a story with everybody, i know i'm sharing it with all of america today, but i want to do this. i think it is important. and i will be real quick. but this season was a great one. but it was a tough one. and he and i had some tremendous meetings, interesting moments along the way. and i am going to make it brief, but i want to make a point. we were nine weeks into the season, we were 7-2, and we had had a rough day against kansas

feeling good. i knew his foot was hurting and we went in my office and i said you are going to get well. he was not real happy with that. not real happy. but we proceeded on that path to getting him well. and trying to hang on as a football team, and continue the battle. over the next seven weeks, we had many meetings, didn't we? many meetings. many sit-downs. and i remember him coming out of the cast, after putting his foot in a couple of weeks and he comes out of the cast and we sit down and i said okay, what's the next step, what do we do here? and he said well it is time to go back to work. i am going to come back. i want to play. i want to finish this thing out the right way. and i said all right, we can step back on the field and go to work next week. and i will never forget what he told me that day. he said, listen, he said i don't want to be a distraction. i am not ready to play yet. if goy i do back on the field

about me, you keep everybody focused on the team and i will get myself well and that's what he did and we devised a plan and every day we would get the team going and have our meetings as the team and peyton went across the field over there to the bubble and took three guys with him. the famous three, i always call them. he took sunshine, jordan taylor, for all of you who don't know who that is, coach harry, he worked in the equipment room and he doubles as a quarterback coach, and he took hireman over there. and he went to work. and we filmed those sessions. and i watched the film. and we went through that process for a few weeks. and i would deal with the team and we be over there working in the morning. and every friday, i would come over there and i would watch him workout. but we went through this process for a few weeks. and as we went through that process, there were some highs and low, there was one setback, if i recall, but we kept pushing.

i knew it was -- i knew you felt like it was time, that he was ready to play, he was in the right place. so i think there were two weeks left in the regular season. he and i talked and i could tell through his voice he felt very good about what was going on and ready to come back. we decided that week we proceed the same way. and we started our wednesday, had the meeting with the team, and he went over and worked out, and went about our business, and that evening, i watched the tape and it looked better than ever. everything was pretty consistent. thursday was different. we had our work as a team. he had the workout. i sat down to watch the film. as i am watching the film, that day, there was something different about the workout. during the workout, he sent me a signal through the film. hey, we're number one, you can

i'm ready to play, coach okay? so i was he hadding home that night, i texted him, i said hey, the workout looked great today, and oh, by the way, i got the signal. and i said i will see you tomorrow morning at 9:00, and i will watch you work out tomorrow, let me get through the team in the morning and i am coming to watch. we had our meeting friday morning. greek and i walked over to the bubble. walked in. and they were through. and they were supposed to start at 9:00 but they were already through. and so i walked in the bubble and i looked at all of them and i said hey what's the deal here i was supposed to watch you guys at 9:00. and his three buddy, they kind of tiptoed out of the bubble, and they knew something was fixing to take place soon. but they all said, coach, we were starting at 8:00, so we're through. so we will start our conversation and i will try to make a long story started. he was ready to play. and before i knew it, the only people left in the bubble were peyton and i. and a bag of footballs.

proceeded to tell him what i thought was going on with the team and where we were at, for the next 25 minutes, peyton proceeded to tell me where he was, and what he thought our team could do, and that he was ready to lead our team in that direction. and he was right. and he was right. and what he proceeded to do over the course of the next month, in leading these players, the football team, and the coaches, and push everybody, was the difference football team. that's why i have the utmost the utmost respect. and on behalf of myself, the coaches, the players, everybody for joining us. i know it was tough. way. so it was only nine months for a lifetime. i love you, bud. i wish you the best. great job. >> i think we are going to

[ applause ] >> on march 20, 2012, one of the most successful periods in the history of the denver broncos began. when peyton manning became the team's quarterback. >> away we go. with the manning era. in denver. >> during manning's record- setting time in denver, no team achieved more wins than the broncos. who earned four consecutive afc west divisional titles, two afc championships, and a win in super bowl-50. on the field, and in the community, peyton manning set an immeasurable impact on the broncos, through his leadership, integrity and high standards in all that he did. with incredible determination -- >> i said wait until the third series. let's go.

>> manning made a remarkable return from injury in 2012, as the nfl comeback player of the year, and runner-up for league mvp in his first season as a bronco. a year later, manning threw for the most touchdowns and yards of any player in nfl history. >> peyton manning's 51st touchdown pass of the year. and a beauty to julius thomas. >> can you believe it? peyton manning, runs it in for the touchdown. >> with his mvp performance, manning directed the highest scoring offense in nfl history. >> and for manning, seven touchdown passes. he is the sixth man in nfl history to throw seven in a game. >> propelling the broncos to the first super bowl appearance in 15 years. manning became the nfl's all- time leader in touchdown

>> peyton manning, now has more touchdown passes than any other player in nfl history. >> a year that saw him earn his 14th pro bowl selection. no player in nfl history has more. in 2015, manning persevered through history. >> i am not much for speeches. let's go! >> becoming the first quarterback in nfl history to start for two super bowl champion teams. >> the denver broncos are world champions, they have just won super bowl-50. and the lombardi trophy is coming home to the mile high city. >> as a player, manning's preparation, leadership, and even his sense of humor earned him the respect of teammates and coaches. >> i have had a lot of people ask what omaha means, and it is omaha, it is a run play, but it could be a pass play. or a play action pass. depending on a couple of things.

going, and quarter, and the jerseys that we're wearing. so it varies. >> as a person, manning furthered his reputation as one of the greatest ambassadors the world of sports has ever seen, community work in denver, countless examples of outreach as a bronco, made an unbelievable difference in the lives of so many. >> congrats, man. >> hey, dude. >> there you go, man. >> i love you, man. >> proud of you. >> thank you very much. >> for all that he accomplished, during his four seasons in denver, and his 18- year hall of fame career, the broncos congratulate and thank peyton manning.

in my very first nfl game, i completed my first pass to hall of fame running back marshal faulk. i threw a touchdown in that same game to marvin harrison who will be inducted into the hall of fame this august. the quarterback for our opponent, the miami dolphins, was, after my dad, my favorite player, hall of famer dan marino. who on the first third down of the game, completed a 25-yard skinny post. and it was the dammeddest throw

later, i completed a pass to tight end marcus pollard down the middle and somebody hit me really hard, and after i got up, i told myself, i know i can play in this league. later in that struggling season, we played and lost to baltimore. it was the first time that the colts had returned to baltimore since they had moved back in 1984. we didn't exactly get a warm reception that day. fans were screaming at me, and i kept thinking, hey, i was only eight years old then, get off of my back. and i had met him once before, but when the game was over, i had a chance to shake johnny you night' hand and he said -- unitas hand and he said peyton you stay at it i'm pulling for you. and i have stay at it. i have stayed at it for 18. and i hope that old number 19 is up there, with his flat top and make his black high tops on and i hope he knows that i have

each a little proud of me. it is something about 18 years, 18 is a good number. and today, i retire from pro football. new orleans. and south louisiana. new orleans is my hometown. and of course, they support their own team, the saints. own. and that city and state have backed me from the start. almost 19 years ago to the day, i announced my decision to forego the draft, and stay at the university of tennessee for my senior year. it was one of the smartest decisions i have ever made. i cherish my time in knoxville, especially my senior year. and i want ball fans everywhere to know the unique role that have you played -- vol fans everywhere to know the unique role that you have played in my life. thank you to the indianapolis colts organization and all of the fans across this country.

enjoyed my 14 years there. and the warmth that my family feels for you. i would be wrong not to mention jim ursay, phil polian, great coach, support staff, and a host of wonderful colts teammates. many of woman will be life-long friends. when i -- whom will be lifelong friends. and when i was drafted by the colts, indianapolis was a basketball and car racing town but it didn't take long for the colts to be converting the state of indiana into rookie evangelists. in the process i set the nfl rookie record for interceptions. a record that i still hold today. [ laughter ] >> every year, i pull for a rookie quarterback to break that record. [ laughter ] >> and andrew luck, matthew stafford, eli manning. cam newton. i still kid eli that we have broke continue if he had started all 16 games. in the beginning of my time in

struggles were agonizes. my grandfather would call weekly to say the favorite announcers john madden and pat summerall would broadcast the game and i would say papa, we are only 2-8 and playing the 3- 7 bengals and madden and summerall don't broadcast those kind of games. fast forward the second year and getting going a little bit, playing the dallas cowboys, and playing michaeler vin and em ith smith and deon sanders and i call paw paw, and guess what, madden and summerall are broadcasting the game. he said i can't believe. it he was elighted. he was very proud. and we beat the cowboys that week. and we let the world know that the colts had arrived. make no mistake about it. we were coming. and we went on to do some phenomenal things. like winning at least 12 games, search years in a row. and of course, winning super bowl xli.

proud to be a part of it. there is a saying that says, treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. treat a man as he could be, and he will become what he should be. when i visited denver, four years ago, john elway had sat me down and said peyton, here is what we are going to do. we are going to win over a games, win four straight division championships, lose only three division games in four years and none would be on the road, and beat the patriots in two championship games, and are you going to win nfl comeback player of the year, and another mvp, and your offense will set single season passing records, you will break a couple more all-time records and we will go to a couple of super bowls. i think i would have taken that deal. john, you did tell me that, didn't you? grateful is the word that comes to my mind, when thinking of the denver broncos. i want to thank pat bowlen and his family. joe ellis. john elway. john fox. gary kubiak.

support people in this great organization. to all of my denver teammates. thank you for what you have done for this old quarterback. and of course, my gratitude to the broncos fans everywhere. over my nfl career, i have had five head coaches who have help mood he become better at my craft. and helped me become a better human being. jim moore. tony dungy. jim callwell. john fox. gary kubiak. and i have obviously changed teams, i have had the same football representation for almost two decades. i owe tom condon many thoughts. he has represented me with class at every juncture and he will always be a great friend. i want to thank a tremendous group of friends who have supported my football career and been at my side from games at high school, to tennessee, indy and through that incredible broncos super bowl win last month. you know who you are. and what you mean to me. and there is no way to measure

family like mine can mean. mom, dad, cooper, eli, extended family, you are the best. and ashley, your support is as potent a motivator as any man could have. ashley, and my kid, marshal and mosly have only been around a couple of years but they have changed my life forever. a week before the super bowl, our daughter mosly asked me, daddy is, the last game, yes, mosly, it is the last game of the season. and i sure do want you to win that trophy. and i do too, mosly. and that's what we are going to try to do. and then she asked, daddy, is this the last game ever? and that's when i shook my head in amazement. i was thinking, more than morton and adam sheriffer had gotten to my daughter to cultivate a news story. when someone thoroughly

can't help but revere it, i reveer football. i love the game. so you don't have to wonder if i i -- i will miss it. absolutely. absolutely, i will. our children are small now but as they grow up, we are going to teach them to enjoy the little things in life. because one day, they will look back and discover that those really were the big things. so here are the seemingly little things that when i look into my roimple have rearview mirror have grown much bigger. i am going to miss a steak dinner at elmo's in indianapolis after a win. my battles with players named lynch, lewis, thomas, brewski, fletcher, dawkin, seau, earl acker, polamalu, harrison, woodson, and reed. and with coaches like fisher, ryan, bell check, kiffin, phillips, rivera, lavoe, crownel, caper, lewis, the late

always felt like i was kind of playing against that middle linebacker or that safety, or that defensive coach. i will miss figuring out blitzes, with jeff saturday, reggie sitting on top of the bench next to me, and perfecting a fake handoff to edgerin james. i will miss demaryius jones telling me he loved me and thanking me for coming to denver after every touchdown i threw to him. i will miss putting in a play with tom moore and adam ghaith with a touchdown on sunday, and on fridays, i will miss picking out the game balls with my equipment guy, and talking football with the broadcast crews before the game, and afterwards, i will miss recapping the game with my dad. and checking to see if the giants won. and calling eli, because we're as we're on the team buses. i will miss the handshake with tom brady and i will miss the playing time with the big web with 53 teammates standing in the aisles laughing and celebrating during the whole time. and i will miss playing in

both at home and on the road. and i will even miss the patriots fans in foxborough. and they should miss me. because they sure did get a lot of wins off of me. and this is important. football fans everywhere need to know how much they have meant to me over the years. fans, you are at the core of what makes this game remarkable. i have received more letters from you than i can count. fan letters that have touched me, made me think, laugh, and move me to act. i have learned a lot through my mistakes, stumbles and losses in football. i have also learned this game is a mighty platform that has given me a voice that can echo well beyond the game. football has taught me not to be led by obstructions and setbacks but instead to be led by dreams. due to some good genes, i am smart -- smart enough to know those lessons can enrich who i am and where i go from there. i am totally convinced that the end of my football career is

i haven't even discovered yet. life is not shrinking for me. it is morphing into a whole new world of possibilities. pundits will speculate that my effort and drive over the past 18 years were about mastery. and about working to master every aspect of the nfl game. well, don't believe them. because every moment, every drop of sweat, every bleary eyed night of preparation, every note i took and every frame of film i watched was about one thing. reverence for this game. when i look back on my nfl career, i will know without a doubt that i gave everything i had to help my teams walk away with a win. there were other players who were more talented, but there was no one who could outprepare me. and because of that, i have no regrets. there is a scripture reading, second timothy 4:7, i have fought the good fight and i have finished the race, i have kept the faith.

i have finished my football race. and after 18 years, it is time. god bless all of you. and god bless football. [ applause ] to be so lucky has to love your job that much. countless players, team executives that he's worked with over the years.

small moments that make up a career. make up a life. we'll shortly be hearing from some of his broncos' teammates. he's going to take some questions from reporters first. let's listen back in to peyton manning. [ inaudible ] >> peyton, congrats. >> thank you. >> it's been a slice. >> thank you. >> just wondered the last four weeks since the super bowl, were you ever close to thinking you would come back for one more season? >> mike, i really wanted to do like i said, at the game and take coach dungy's advice and really take some time to enjoy that super bowl win. i was telling somebody you know, i've played 18 years but this was the only -- the second off-season that i could start in a good mood. after winning a world championship. and i know how hard it is to win that world championship. i know how hard it is to get

to win a game. i really wanted to take some teem and enjoy that i went on family vacation and i went hunting with my old teammate jeff on saturday and really had some great time to reflect on that past season and all that coach kubiak mentioned we had been through and i had gone through on the field. i really took some time to do that. but i -- thought about it a lot. prayed about a lot. and like i said earlier, it was just the right time. and maybe i don't throw as good or run as good as i used to but i always had good timing. and i think that's -- that's the true case in this sense. >> peyton, congratulations. i've had the privilege of covering troy aikman and brett favre and now your career i want to ask you the same things i asked them when they retired. that is how do you figure to scratch that competitive itch you've been scratching for all

>> it's hard to say. i've talked to john about this over the past four years. and he's giving me some great insight as to kind of what some of the feelings that i'll be going through. you know, over the next couple of months. and you know, in years -- and years and zoism appreciated his advice and friendship and -- so i've appreciated his advice and friendship and support. so i don't know, i haven't ruled anything out. i have made no decisions. i'm going to go on vacation again after this. and go play a little golf and pretty soon with my two brothers. and we'll kind of enjoy there -- this and i really have kind of enjoyed this past day and a half. i've had a chance to call some special people that have been a part of my football life. and after calling john and joe and coach kubiak, i called all five of my head coaches and i had a great conversation with

john fox and of course i talked to coach kubiak and that was really special. having a chance to go down memory lane a little bit. so i'm going to enjoy this. and think about some of those things at another time. >> peyton, going through what you did this season, how much did it -- i don't say bring your career full circle but i know it was hard as gary talked about. was there a point you weren't sure you were going to get back and how gratifying to finish and how gratifying to finish even what you went through for those two and a half months? >> well, like everyone has alluded to earlier today, it is extremely gratifying to finish with a world championship. special day there in san francisco. and one that i'll always remember. and cherish with a great bunch of teammates. there's no question this was a unique season and it had plenty of ups and downs. but those conversations those open and honest conversations

important. and helpful. and they were two way. and that was -- that was important and like i shadier, our -- earlier, during the super bowl week, i never assumed anything. i never said this is going to be it. or i am never going to play again or i'm not going to get healthy. i did just what coach mentioned. i had a goal one week at a time and that led so some bigger things. it was the right attitude to have during no doubt a unique season. >> the last two weeks -- [ inaudible ] what will can you say now about -- what can you say now? -- [ inaudible ] >> yeah. well, you know, first off, this is a joyous day and nothing can overtake from this day.

people don't understand the truth and the facts. and -- i did not do what has been alleged. and i'm not interested in relitigating something that happened when i was 19 years old. and i -- kind of like my dad used to say when i was in trouble, i can't say it any plainer than that. so this is a joyous day. and it's a special day. and like "forrest gump" said that's all i have to say about that. >> four years ago, when you needed to start -- [ inaudible ] should that first call from the broncos' team? >> i think it was important. old elway always had pretty good timing as well. and it was the first call he and john fox made to me.

know, just going through a -- that press conference in indianapolis. which i think four years ago today. so and -- ole fox xi and john called and -- you know with foxy of course, it's -- it's a fun conversation. it's upbeat and kind of -- you kind of got me in a good mood again and then john got on and said hey when you ready, we love for you to come out there. i think that was probably as important as anything. that john kind of mentioned recruiting me but it was not a -- hey, we have to know something tonight. here? it was just you know, i came out to denver you know, john said you know, john understood what i was feeling. that it was a gut-wrenching time. and he played a long time. and he of course played for the same franchise his whole career but he understood it. and so it was good to have a guy to talk to and the fact

and not giving highway deadline that made it -- me a deadline that made a big difference. allowed me to take system time and think about -- some time and think about finding the right place for me and i couldn't have made a better decision coming out to play the last four years in denver. >> peyton, just curious, who did you consult in this decision if anybody and would you consider it a health decision, a life decision -- i mean, where do you put all that? >> no i think it's just once again going back to the timing. it was the right time. and it was not easy. you know it was difficult. like i said i love football. i love it. you know, of course talked to my family about it. and you know, a lot of good conversations with the good lord about it. friends. i got three special old colts

and you know, jeff saturday and brandon stokley and bill poleon but they're all in the media now. so you know -- when i talk to them i got to say who are we talking to as? are you soul center or espn that's lost all that weight and look so good on tv? you know i kept my thoughts and feelings you know pretty -- pretty tight. and but i like i said, i would felt like the right time. and -- it felt like the right time. and that's kind of how all that went about. >> peyton -- >> thank you. >> always worked together. you said it today. nobody supported you or prepared better than you -- [ inaudible ] what was probably one of the most unique rewarding years, what's the -- thing you learned this year that was different from all the other years -- [ inaudible ] >> well, i've always thought it

and of course maybe i was always easy to say. when you were the starting quarterback and healthy and winning a lot of games and playing pretty well. it probably is easy to be a good teammate during those times. because a lot of things are going good. but i guess what i found out about myself is that i felt like i was a good teammate during a very difficult season. when i was injured and i was not playing well. and just -- just it was a struggle but i felt like i had a good attitude and i would you know talk to dt and i manuel and talk about the offense and i had good conversations with brock and sharing any thoughts i had with him on the patriots as he was playing against them for the first time. and you know, was in the meetings when i could be which -- [ inaudible ] [ no audio ] probably be a good teammate. you can't help all that much playing. you can help the most when you're playing. but i tried to do the best that

being visible and i thought guys saw me rehabbing and saw me working out. and i knew my teammates had my back. which that was important to me. and i don't think you can ever get too high up or too old not to need encouragement from your teammates. and so this was a special group of guys to play with. i have special friendships with all my old colts' teammates the ones that i'll cheerish. but -- cherish, but i have some special ones here, a lot of guys are here today. and that means a lot -- you guys -- [ no audio ] to be here today. that really means a lot. you know. i know you got to get ready for the "dancing with the stars" prior to soon. but hey i'll be thankful for -- pretty soon. but hey i'll be thankful for all the guys, von miller and demarcus -- i didn't have time to mention every name. i'm thankful to have played with so many great teammates for two great organizations. and you know people always --

today as? i'm retiring as a football player that you know from the university of tennessee. that played for the colts and the broncos. and was -- you know, very lucky to have played for all of them. >> one more for peyton? >> the signal you gave gary after your private workout -- i can't. [ laughter ] >> if in fact that happened, why that day as opposed to days leading up to that day? >> well like i said, i'd be lying if i sat here and told you that was not a frustrating time. you know, the team meets here every morning. i'm a part of those meetings. and then everyone goes on to their individual meetings. and goes to practice and i go in the little corn team sand box in the far corner. hey don't get near any of the real players, you go over there and you can take sunshine and

to you -- they gave me a practice squad receiver and a guy on injured reserve to throw to. i really appreciated that. in fact it couldn't have been better guys, jordan taylor might surprise a lot of guys for the broncos next year. and jeff is going to get healthy. he's an awesome football player and nobody appreciates a good equipment guy more than i do and flip and harry and john scott and fog and t. a and all the guys that i've been to, there's a special bond there. but it was a frustrating time. because i wasn't getting as healthy as quickly as i wanted to. you know, i'm throwing in that indoor facility. and you know not feeling the same. and then you are starting to make some progress and then you have a little setback and then of course you're not playing. i was so fortunate for so many years to have had great health. and to have played in so many games and not to be playing it was tough. and so you know, i was starting

that time. and -- little bitter around that time. and maybe getting back to being more of myself and my signals and hand gestures and maybe that was the tiling of that. flush [ inaudible ] >> no chance, no chance. >> what would you say -- is the proudest moment of your career? >> oh, that's hard -- that's hard to answer right now. it's hard to list. this will game in my opinion -- this game in my opinion is a people business. it's a relationship business. it's certainly not a play on the fold or a throw. it's -- field or a throw. it's none of that. it's moments and obviously having my family and being able to hold my kids a month ago with that super bowl trophy was one -- that you'll always remember. but i mentioned a lot of those memories today of small, small

that have been a huge part of my career. and i mentioned some names and i mean there's so many other players that i've played against that i have so much respect for. all those players are all old and retired wick rom is the last one, he's going out with me like the rest of them. kind of like lyncher, i picked some of the names and coaches there's so many more of those. but those guys no offense, kind of up in age as well that i mentioned and that's kind of how that list came about. and but i got great respect for the game. and i'm just grateful for the relationships and the friendships that i formed in the 18 years i played. >> final question -- [ inaudible ] >> congratulations. >> thank you. thank you woody. >> go big orange. >> thanks. >> you have revolutionized the position, i wonder if you can go back to whether that was by design and secondly, how meaningful that you are now and your family is working with so many guys that have

football league and the effect and footprint that will have on the future of the game? >> well, certainly i'm it will fan of -- the fan of quarterbacks and i mentioned marino and my thoughts on you know john elway growing up and aikman like i said i don't want to get into the list, but i love quarterbacks and our football passing academy has been a great way for me and eli and my dad to stay connected with the college quarterbacks that are getting ready to go play pro ball and also help some high school quarterbacks learn a little bit more about the position. and -- i'm just -- i'm grateful for that. and i forgot the first part of your question. oh, yeah -- [ inaudible ] >> i don't know. that's -- i can't answer that myself. i'm grateful for john's words and some other nice things that have been said this past day

i'm very grateful -- i studied hard at the game. and prepared hard. and i guess i found out early as a coach told me, that i -- could process a lot of information and make really fast decisions. he -- he shared that with me and maybe he said maybe that's not totally normal. if you will. and so that -- i think allowed coaches to put a lot of things on my plate and trust me. i never abused that trust woody you know. mentioned tom moore and adam and you know, rico, i never abused the trust that they would put in me to change play and to -- a play and you know to try to improve our offensive chances of success on that play i felt like i earned that trust and i worked hard to keep that trust but never took advantage of it. but it was a fun way to play q. it really -- quarterback. it really was. but i had great coaches and

been possible without that. so omaha. [ applause ] >> okay thank you very much. >> okay fitting last words as peyton manning calls it a career. did you hear that? declined to say whether he was retiring from the game of football as a denver bronco or indianapolis colt simply as a football player. remarkable. he talked of his love for the city of indianapolis. but then also for the second chance afforded to him by the denver broncos. and by the fan base that as he said makes this game something special. today, in a wide ranging and very emotional farewell, he spoke of faith and he spoke of family and he talked of joy. the joy of winning, the joy of helping others around him succeed. the joy of the satisfaction that comes from knowing that you have given it your all. up there with broncos' teammates thomas and giving him a hug there. there's von miller and brandon marshall a linebacker at his side. key components of the team that made a super bowl 50 victory

in a year that peyton manning by his own acknowledgment didn't always play very good football. he talked of the great satisfaction that he gained this year and learning that he could be a tremendous teammate when he was not able to be a tremendous player. on the field. as we watch peyton greet a number of his teammates and i'll share with you something that detroit lions' head coach jim caldwell said. he coached manning in indianapolis from 2002 to 2011. this one of the most striking things i heard anybody say in a week filled with tributes to manning. he said quote while he obviously had tremendous god- given ability, peyton's preparation, dedication and commitment suggested otherwise. and you heard peyton talk about the -- the pride that he took in his preparation and in his process but caldwell said he prepared in many ways like he was a free agent.

genes, i think he was talking about the smarts he got from his mom and dad. but also just that pride in preparation. you see a number of his colts' teammates up there with him as well. brandon stokley who played a year for the broncos to play with peyton. jeff saturday is the big bearded guy there on the left. that was his center for many years in indianapolis. and at one point i attempted to log the number of nfl players and greats that peyton manning name checked in his address. but i ran out of room. so we'll just stop at that but striking that one of the most emotional points in his farewell address today was talking about johnny unitas. and how honored he was to meet johnny unitas. and how he hoped that he was able to live up to johnny unitas' expectation for him. peyton manning obviously spoke of his time in indianapolis, but in discussing his final years, his ride into the sunset with the denver broncos, he

grateful is the word that comes to mind when he thinks of the denver broncos. to the fan base, he said thank you for what you have given this old quarterback. what you've done for this old quarterback. we got the feeling that that is not a man who is going to be able to stay away from football long. he certainly will have as many opportunities as he wants and head office of various teams. we know that former colts' executive bill poleon was here in denver today to listen to the press conference. there's been some talk that perhaps he and manning team up in a front office somewhere. asked whether he would miss the game, he said you don't have to wonder if i'll miss it. absolutely, absolutely i will. so there you see a man who by his own words has no regrets about his career. and when asked to delve into the specifics of his conversation with his family about retiring just simply said, it was time. that was something. that really was something. i'm glad that you guys were able to be with us here on this

greats of the game call it a career, emotional magnanimous and just filled with joy. for the people he's played with along the way. and we heard john elway say it perhaps best -- he revolutionized the game.

good afternoon, everybody. thanks for joining us today at noon. it is the ends of an era for football. today, we are officially saying farewell to our number 18. >> peyton manning is retiring after 18 legendary years in the nfl. a press conference where peyton said his final farewell just wrapped up. it was definitely an emotional good bye. >> sure was. 9 news sports anchor, drew, joining us live at uc sports training center. everything you thought it was going to be? >> yes, even more so. so emotional. right from the very start. peyton himself needed about 10