Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning #18
Position: Quarterback
College: Tennessee
Height: 6′-5″
Weight: 230 lbs
Time in NFL: 14 years
Drafted: 1998 1st Round, 1st overall pick
Born: March of 1976
Born in: New Orleans, La
Website: PeytonManning.com
Peyton Manning is one of the most well-known players in the NFL, and is also one of the few players to have played with only one team throughout his NFL career to this point. The son of Archie Manning, and brother of Eli Manning, Peyton was born on March 24th, 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He played his high school football at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, where he posted an incredible 34-5 record during his three years as a starter in high school; this resulted in Manning being named the Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year in 1993.
Manning’s final year of high school came to a close with a shocking decision to attend Tennessee over Ole Miss, which was his father’s alma mater. As impressive as his 34-5 high school record was, his 39-6 record as a starter in college was even more impressive. Manning set records for both his school and for the SEC throughout his career, beginning with his 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns to make him Tennessee’s all time leading passer. It ended with his 39 total wins, which broke the SEC record for most career wins. His college career concluded with him being named the Maxwell Award winner, the Davey O’Brien Award winner, the Johnny Unitas Award winner, and a being named a First-team All-American.
Manning was the top prospect heading into the 1998 draft, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick. His rookie season kicked off with a bang as he put up an impressive 3,739 yards, and 26 touchdowns. Manning broke five different NFL rookie records, and was named to the NFL All-Rookie First Team. To this date in Manning’s career, he has broken multiple other records, including becoming the fastest player to reach 50,000 yards passing, and the fastest to reach 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 completions as well. He is an 11 time Pro Bowl selection, with a streak of 9 in a row currently through 2010, and has won the MVP award an incredible four times.
Peyton Manning has had one of the most impressive College and NFL careers to date, and won his first Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XLI, where he was also named the 2006 Super Bowl MVP. Manning is currently the all-time franchise leader for the Indianapolis Colts in terms of career wins, career passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions, and passing touchdowns. He also currently holds the highest single-season passer rating of any player, with a 121.1 rating which came back in 2004.
