As it’s been speculated, Peyton Manning’s retirement has been made official. Manning confirmed it with a press conference on Monday in Englewood, CO.
The QB stood before the press all smiles, yet emotional and teary-eyed, as he said his goodbyes. He started his speech by recalling the time he met Johnny Unitas while he was a young rookie. He recalls Unitas telling him to “stick at it,” and 18 years later, he hopes he made the football legend proud.
“There’s something about 18 years,” Manning told reporters. “18’s a good number, and today I retire from football.”
Choking up through out his speech, Manning thanked his hometown of New Orleans, his fans and family for standing by him, including his wife Ashley, whom he says “support was as potent as any man can have.”
Peyton Manning talked about his love and reverence for the game of football, explaining that he will miss it dearly. “I revere football … so if you wonder if I’ll miss football, absolutely I will.”
He closed his remarks with a scripture (Timothy 4:7) “I have fought the good fight, I’ve finished the race, I’ve kept the faith.”
Watch Peyton Manning’s entire speech below.
