Peyton Manning will hang up his cleats tomorrow after an illustrious 17 year career. 

It’s the end of an era for football fans everywhere with the news this morning that Peyton Manning is announcing his retirement tomorrow. After a storybook 17 year career, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time is calling it a career. It’s the right move.

Manning revolutionized the quarterback position during his illustrious career but injuries caught up to him the last two seasons. Four neck surgeries had diminished his arm strength and a plantar fascia issue made him slower than he already was. There was no way Manning could continue to play with all the physical ailments that he has dealt with. He had to move on. 

There is no question that Manning would have had a couple of suitors interested in his services but why keep playing? Go out on top after winning a super bowl. Manning clearly wrestled with this decision but in the end, he made the right decision. 

I know many Patriots fans will have a hard time acknowledging this but you have to respect Manning and what he has done in his great career. The numbers don’t lie. 5 time league MVP, 14 time Pro Bowler, 539 touchdown passes, 71, 940 passing yards, 200 wins, 14 playoff wins and 2 Super Bowl titles. You can’t argue with that level of success. Manning is one of the three greatest quarterbacks of all time. He will hold many of these records for a long time.

The NFL will never be the same without Manning. He was the face of the league for a long time. Manning redefined the quarterback position. It’s not cliche. It’s the truth. He is a legend. The countdown to Canton begins tomorrow.