Manning Thought About Signing 1 Day Contract To Retire A Colt, Decided Against It

[kingelway7]

Peyton Manning will retire a Bronco, forego one-day Colts contract

Without a doubt, Peyton Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever don an NFL uniform. Some wondered which uniform would be his last.

Now we know.

According to Indianapolis' WRTV's Dave Furst, Manning "thought hard" and "gave serious consideration" to signing a one-day contract with the Indianapolis Colts ahead of his retirement ceremony in Indianapolis on Friday. He ultimately decided not to. Manning will forego such ceremonies and finish his career a member of the Denver Broncos.

While it's true that this decision doesn't mean as much as it does in other sports like baseball, where you're inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of a specific team (in the NFL, Manning will be inducted as a member of the Broncos and Colts), it still matters. It still matters to Manning - has he ever "thought hard" or given "serious consideration" to anything that didn't? And it matters to the fans that have a bond with Manning after his four years in Denver.

Count me among them. It adds legitimacy to his stay in Denver for me, confirming that he wasn't just collecting a paycheck and padding his Hall of Fame resume while in Mile High Country. He was a Bronco. He bled orange and blue. We bled with him. It adds an extra feeling of gratitude for me when I see my two Manning jerseys hanging in the closet.

His decision reflects his words from a few weeks ago at his Broncos retirement press conference.

"Grateful is the word that comes to my mind when thinking of the Denver Broncos," Manning said. "To all of my Denver teammates, thank you for what you've done for this old quarterback. And of course my gratitude to the Broncos fans everywhere."

"I couldn't have made a better decision coming out to play these last four years in Denver."

[CanDB]

Manning pretty much does everything "thoughtfully" and with class. I say this as someone who was not a big fan of his until he came here. I never disliked him, just not a true fan.

[sendacash]

I don't blame him, given the Colts left him for dead for Luck and he turned it around into one of the best 4 year stretches in Broncos history

[BroncoFanBoy]

I'm very glad to hear Peyton say how grateful he is for being a Bronco. It's not like he'll act like he never played here. He was great to have around, I'll miss watching him play and seeing his commercials.

to Peyton Manning

[Sophia23]

I was a fan of Peyton when he was a Colt. I was exstatic when he Peyton became a Bronco. I really appreciated that he retired as a Bronco. I wondered originally how it would work out if he would retire as a Bronco, or retire as a Colt. I love that he retired from the NFL as a Bronco. He may of only been a Bronco for 4 years, but I'm glad he chose us.

[shawinkerpoppin]

Makes sense. He set career records and broke single season records with the broncos. Even though he spent the bulk of his career as a colt one could argue his most significant achievements happened as a bronco.

[ArchAngel]

Makes sense. He set career records and broke single season records with the broncos. Even though he spent the bulk of his career as a colt one could argue his most significant achievements happened as a bronco.

I whole heartedly concur!!

[BroncosDivision]

Always been a fan of the great Peyton Manning and I know my younger brother who's a passionate Ravens fan very much feels the same way about him, it's something we've talked about a lot over the past four years. Thing is, Manning just does it the right way in my opinion (not a given in this day and age) and it doesn't hurt that he's a very likeable guy.

[Blanket24]

I feel that both organizations should hold a huge spot in mannings heart. He canonized himself in indy but showed his ability to overcome career threatening adversity to hAve maybe the best 3 year stretch of his career with the 4th being the cherry on top in denver. So while indy should be his 1 denver should no doubt be no less than 1a in his heart being that the organization believed in him so much and he was able to hoist another lombardi trophy while at it

[LSIGRAD09]

Cool beans :thumb:

[listopencil]

The only QB in the NFL to ever win a Super Bowl starting for two different teams. And the first time around it was pretty much him that got us there. Peyton Freaking Manning. Thanks for the memories.

[Chronoless]

Thank you Peyton. Thank you for everything.

As Joe Ellis said ""Peyton Manning will go into Broncos Ring of Fame.''

[Breakin2]

Guys not to be the bearer of bad news but Manning retired while under contract to the Denver Broncos. He wouldnt be allowed to sign a one day contract with the Colts. If he was allowed to he prob would. The fact he said he considered makes me think hes just pandering because no doubt his agent has already told him he cant do it.

[sheenabobeena]

Guys not to be the bearer of bad news but Manning retired while under contract to the Denver Broncos. He wouldnt be allowed to sign a one day contract with the Colts. If he was allowed to he prob would. The fact he said he considered makes me think hes just pandering because no doubt his agent has already told him he cant do it.

I believe he could have made the Broncos cut him, but that would have been a PR disaster.

[BroncosIsWin]

If he had signed for 1 day, I doubt any of us would be upset. Guy spent most of his career as a Colt. I wouldn't be mad.