Peyton Manning was in Indianapolis today to be by Colts owner Jim Irsay as the franchise retired his No. 18 jersey. Irsay also announced plans to build a Manning statue outside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Although Manning went to two of his four Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and won his second with that team, Irsay said that Colts fans still feel like he belongs to them. After all, he was drafted by the Colts in 1998 and was there until 2011.
“I just can't say enough about what he's meant for this franchise -- this city and state,” Irsay said, reports NFL.com. “Just simply run out of words thinking about how much No. 18 means to us, and so actions are the most powerful thing in life, more powerful than words.”
“I can't tell you how honored and humbled I am by that news, I really don't know what to say,” Manning added. “It was my honor and privilege to play for that organization for 14 years.”
Manning officially announced his retirement on March 7, just weeks after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos. He also won Super Bowl XLI with the Colts and is the only five-time MVP in NFL history.