Peyton Manning Timeline

Peyton Manning 29

1976 Birth of Peyton Manning Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to a football family Peyton Williams Manning was born on March 24, 1976, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second of three sons born to former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and Olivia Manning. Growing up around football, Peyton and his brothers Cooper and Eli were immersed in the sport from an early age, with Archie mentoring Peyton's early development as a passer. He attended Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, where he set numerous state passing records as a prep quarterback.
1994 Enrolls at the University of Tennessee Begins college football career as a Volunteer Manning chose to play for the University of Tennessee over his father Archie's alma mater, Ole Miss, a decision that drew significant media attention across the South. He entered as a true freshman under head coach Phillip Fulmer and quickly displayed the field vision and arm talent that would define his career. He became the Volunteers' starting quarterback partway through his freshman season and never relinquished the job.
1996 Manning Passing Academy Founded Co-founds a football camp with father Archie Manning Peyton joined his father Archie and brothers Cooper and Eli in launching the Manning Passing Academy, a summer camp designed to teach quarterback fundamentals to high school and college players. Held annually in Louisiana, the camp attracted top college quarterbacks as counselors and became one of the most respected passing camps in the country. It reflected the family's deep commitment to developing the next generation of quarterbacks long after Peyton's own playing days ended.
1997 Named SEC Player of the Year, Heisman Runner-Up Caps record-setting senior season at Tennessee In his senior season, Manning led Tennessee to an SEC Championship and was named SEC Player of the Year while setting the conference's career records for passing yards and touchdowns at the time. He finished as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in a closely contested and controversial vote won by Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson. Manning also received the Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States and left Tennessee with a degree in speech communication, completed in three-and-a-half years.
1998 Starts All 16 Games as a Rookie Debuts in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts Manning started every game of his rookie season, an unusual workload for a first-year quarterback, throwing for 3,739 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also led the league with 28 interceptions as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses, and the Colts finished 3-13. Despite the rocky record, his rookie season established the durability and iron-man streak of starts that would become a hallmark of his career.
1998 Drafted No. 1 Overall by the Indianapolis Colts Selected first in the 1998 NFL Draft The Indianapolis Colts selected Manning with the first overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft, choosing him ahead of Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf in a pick that was debated extensively by scouts and analysts. The decision proved to be one of the most consequential in franchise history, as Manning would go on to anchor the Colts offense for the next fourteen seasons. He signed a rookie contract that made him the centerpiece of the team's rebuilding effort.
1999 First Pro Bowl Selection Colts improve to 13-3 behind Manning's development In just his second NFL season, Manning was selected to his first Pro Bowl as the Colts improved dramatically to a 13-3 record, one of the largest single-season turnarounds in league history at the time. He threw for 4,135 yards and 26 touchdowns while cutting his interception total significantly from his rookie year. The season signaled Manning's emergence as one of the league's top young quarterbacks.
1999 PeyBack Foundation Established Launches charity supporting disadvantaged youth Manning established the PeyBack Foundation to provide programs and opportunities for disadvantaged youth in Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, and Tennessee, the states most connected to his career and upbringing. The foundation funded after-school programs, scholarships, and youth sports initiatives, reflecting his and his family's long-standing emphasis on community involvement. It operated alongside his other philanthropic efforts throughout his playing career and into retirement.
2003 Named Co-NFL Most Valuable Player Shares first MVP award with Steve McNair Manning was named Co-NFL Most Valuable Player alongside Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair, the first of what would become a record five MVP awards for Manning. He threw for 4,267 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the Colts to a 12-4 record and an AFC South division title. The award marked his arrival among the league's elite quarterbacks.
2004 Peyton Manning Children's Hospital Opens Hospital at St. Vincent named in his honor In recognition of his charitable contributions to children's health initiatives in Indianapolis, St. Vincent Hospital renamed its pediatric facility the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. Manning had contributed both financially and through hospital visits and fundraising efforts since joining the Colts. The hospital became a lasting symbol of his philanthropic footprint in the Indianapolis community, continuing to operate under his name long after he left the team.
2004 Sets Single-Season TD Record, Wins Unanimous MVP Throws an NFL-record 49 touchdown passes Manning broke Dan Marino's single-season passing touchdown record by throwing 49 touchdown passes, a mark that stood until Tom Brady surpassed it in 2007. He was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player unanimously, his second MVP award, while completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 4,557 yards. The Colts finished 12-4 and Manning's performance was widely regarded as one of the greatest statistical seasons by a quarterback to that point.
2007 Wins Super Bowl XLI, Named Super Bowl MVP Colts defeat the Chicago Bears 29-17 Manning led the Indianapolis Colts to a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI, played in heavy rain in Miami, capturing his first NFL championship. He completed 25 of 38 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown and was named Super Bowl MVP. The win completed a career arc that had previously been defined by playoff disappointments and silenced early criticism that he could not win the biggest games.
2007 Hosts Saturday Night Live Showcases comedic persona to a national audience Manning hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live, appearing in sketches including the widely replayed "United Way" commercial parody in which he played an increasingly aggressive youth football coach. The appearance highlighted a self-deprecating comedic side that expanded his popularity beyond football fans and helped make him one of the most sought-after athlete pitchmen in advertising. It became one of the most frequently cited athlete-hosted episodes in the show's history.
2008 Wins Third NFL MVP Award Leads Colts to 12-4 record and playoff berth Manning won his third NFL MVP award after throwing for 4,002 yards and 27 touchdowns while leading the Colts to a 12-4 record despite a supporting cast diminished by injuries. The award tied him with several other quarterbacks for multiple MVP selections and reinforced his standing as the league's premier quarterback of the era. He continued to run one of football's most efficient no-huddle offenses, calling much of the game plan himself at the line of scrimmage.
2009 Wins Fourth NFL MVP Award Becomes first player with four MVP selections Manning became the first player in NFL history to win four Most Valuable Player awards, leading the Colts to a 14-0 start and an eventual berth in Super Bowl XLIV, where Indianapolis fell to the New Orleans Saints. He threw for 4,500 yards and 33 touchdowns during the regular season. The achievement further separated him statistically from his contemporaries and cemented his reputation as the most decorated regular-season quarterback of his generation.
2011 Neck Surgery Sidelines Entire Season Multiple procedures keep him off the field in 2011 A series of neck injuries led Manning to undergo multiple surgical procedures, including a spinal fusion, that kept him out for the entire 2011 season, his first missed season since entering the league. Questions arose across the league about whether his career could continue given the severity of the nerve damage affecting his throwing arm. The Colts finished 2-14 in his absence, a result that led the franchise to select quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick of the following draft.
2012 Named NFL Comeback Player of the Year Leads Broncos to a 13-3 record and AFC West title In his first season with Denver, Manning threw for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading the Broncos to a 13-3 record and the AFC West division title. He was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year for his return from the neck injuries that had cost him the entire previous season. The performance quieted lingering doubts about his arm strength and long-term durability after multiple surgeries.
2012 Released by the Indianapolis Colts Franchise moves on after 14 seasons Following his missed 2011 season and with the Colts holding the first pick to draft presumptive franchise quarterback Andrew Luck, Indianapolis released Manning after fourteen seasons with the team. The move ended one of the most successful quarterback-franchise partnerships in NFL history, during which Manning had won a Super Bowl and four MVP awards. His release triggered an intense free-agency courtship among several NFL teams seeking his services.
2012 Signs with the Denver Broncos Begins second act of career in Denver After a widely publicized free-agent tour that included visits to several teams, Manning signed a five-year contract with the Denver Broncos, choosing the team over other suitors including the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals. The move reunited him with executive John Elway, the Broncos' Hall of Fame former quarterback, and immediately elevated Denver's championship expectations. Questions remained about the health of his surgically repaired neck, but the Broncos were confident in his recovery.
2013 "Omaha" Becomes a Cultural Catchphrase Manning's pre-snap audible call captures public attention Manning's frequent use of the word "Omaha" as part of his pre-snap cadence and audible calls became a nationwide media sensation, spawning commercials, merchandise, and widespread speculation about its meaning. The city of Omaha, Nebraska embraced the attention, and Manning later appeared in advertising campaigns built around the phrase. The phenomenon illustrated his broader crossover appeal beyond dedicated football audiences during the peak of his Broncos tenure.
2013 Wins Fifth NFL MVP, Sets Single-Season Passing Records Throws for 5,477 yards and an NFL-record 55 touchdowns Manning set NFL single-season records with 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdown passes, breaking marks previously held by Drew Brees and Tom Brady respectively, and was named NFL MVP for a record fifth time. The Broncos finished 13-3 and advanced to Super Bowl XLVIII, where they were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks 43-8. The season is widely considered one of the greatest statistical performances by a quarterback in NFL history.
2014 Breaks NFL All-Time Career Passing Touchdown Record Surpasses Brett Favre with 509th career touchdown pass Manning threw his 509th career touchdown pass in a game against the San Francisco 49ers, surpassing Brett Favre to become the NFL's all-time leader in career passing touchdowns. The record capped years of statistical dominance and highlighted Manning's remarkable longevity and consistency at the position. He would extend the record further before retiring, finishing his career with 539 touchdown passes.
2016 Retires with NFL Career Passing Records 71,940 yards and 539 touchdown passes Manning retired holding the NFL career records for passing yards (71,940) and passing touchdowns (539), both marks that would later be surpassed by Tom Brady and Drew Brees. He also held records for career wins by a starting quarterback and single-season passing marks set during his time in Denver. His combination of longevity, statistical production, and postseason success placed him among the small group of quarterbacks regarded as the greatest to play the position.
2016 Wins Super Bowl 50 as Oldest Starting QB Champion Broncos defeat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 At age 39, Manning became the oldest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl as the Denver Broncos' defense overwhelmed the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. Manning played a limited but efficient role behind a dominant defensive performance, securing his second career championship in what would prove to be his final NFL game. The victory provided a storybook conclusion to a season in which his individual statistics had declined amid injury and age-related decline.
2016 Announces Retirement from the NFL Ends an 18-season professional career Manning announced his retirement from professional football at a press conference in Denver, closing out an 18-season career split between the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. He reflected on his career achievements and thanked teammates, coaches, and fans across both organizations. The announcement came roughly a month after his Super Bowl 50 victory, allowing him to retire immediately following a championship.
2017 Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Honored for career at the University of Tennessee Manning was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his standout career at the University of Tennessee, where he set numerous SEC passing records and was twice named a first-team All-American. The induction reflected both his statistical accomplishments and his broader influence on the college game during the mid-1990s. It preceded his eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame by several years.
2019 Named to NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team Recognized among the 100 greatest players in league history As part of the NFL's 100th anniversary celebrations, Manning was named to the league's All-Time Team, a roster of 100 players selected by a blue-ribbon panel as the greatest in NFL history. He was one of a small handful of quarterbacks chosen for the honor, alongside contemporaries and legends spanning the league's full history. The recognition underscored the enduring assessment of his career as among the most accomplished at his position.
2021 Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enters the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility Manning was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, as part of his first-ballot eligible class, joined by other Hall of Fame selectees including Charles Woodson and John Lynch. His enshrinement speech emphasized his relationships with coaches, teammates, and family, including his father Archie. The induction formally recognized a career that included five MVP awards, two Super Bowl titles, and numerous NFL passing records.
2021 Debuts "ManningCast" on ESPN Launches alternate Monday Night Football broadcast with Eli Manning and his brother Eli launched the "Manningcast," an alternate broadcast of ESPN's Monday Night Football featuring casual analysis and celebrity guest appearances alongside the traditional game feed. The program was praised for its relaxed, conversational tone and became a ratings success, extending Manning's football-media presence well beyond his playing career. It represented a new chapter in his post-retirement career as a broadcaster and cultural figure in football.