Peyton Manning Timeline

(1998 - 2015)

Peyton Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Drafted first overall in 1998 by the Indianapolis Colts, he set numerous passing records, won five MVP awards, and captured two Super Bowl titles—one with the Colts and one with the Denver Broncos—before retiring after the 2015 season. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and College

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana

Mar 24, 1976

Peyton Williams Manning was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second son of NFL quarterback Archie Manning. Growing up in a football family, he developed an early passion for the game that would define his future career.

Image source: Peyton Manning

Attends Isidore Newman School

Sep 1990 - May 1994

Manning starred at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, where he threw for over 7,000 yards as a three-year starter, earning national recognition as one of the top high school quarterbacks in the country.

Enrolls at the University of Tennessee

Sep 1994

Manning chose to play college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, becoming the starter as a freshman and beginning a legendary collegiate career in Knoxville.

Leads Tennessee to Citrus Bowl victory

Jan 1, 1996

Manning guided the Volunteers to an 11-1 season capped by a win over Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl, cementing his status among college football's elite quarterbacks.

Image source: 1995 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Wins SEC Championship with Tennessee

Dec 6, 1997

As a senior, Manning led Tennessee to the SEC Championship, finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Charles Woodson while winning numerous player of the year awards.

Image source: 1997 SEC Championship Game

Indianapolis Colts

Drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts

Apr 18, 1998

The Indianapolis Colts selected Peyton Manning with the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, choosing him over fellow quarterback Ryan Leaf and setting the franchise on a new path.

Image source: 1998 NFL draft

Rookie season with the Colts

Sep 6, 1998 - Dec 27, 1998

Despite a losing 3-13 record, Manning set multiple NFL rookie passing records, including most touchdown passes by a rookie, showing flashes of the greatness to come.

First playoff appearance and Pro Bowl

Jan 2000

In just his second season, Manning led the Colts to a dramatic turnaround at 13-3, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and winning his first playoff game against Denver.

First-team All-Pro selections begin

Nov 2003

Manning earned the first of his seven first-team All-Pro honors during the 2003 season, when he shared the NFL MVP award with Steve McNair after throwing for 4,267 yards.

Sets single-game touchdown record against Broncos

Dec 26, 2004

Manning tied an NFL record with six touchdown passes in a game against Denver, part of a historic 2004 season in which he threw a then-record 49 touchdown passes.

First Super Bowl appearance lost to Saints era begins

Feb 4, 2007

After years of playoff frustration including losses to New England, Manning finally broke through in the 2006 season, leading the Colts through the playoffs toward their first Super Bowl of his tenure.

Image source: Super Bowl XLI

Wins Super Bowl XLI and Super Bowl MVP

Feb 4, 2007

Manning led the Colts to a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in rainy Miami, winning his first Super Bowl and earning Super Bowl MVP honors, silencing critics about his big-game performances.

Wins third NFL MVP award

Feb 2009

Manning won his third Associated Press MVP award after the 2008 season, joining Brett Favre as the only players at the time to win the award three times.

Returns to Super Bowl XLIV but falls to Saints

Feb 7, 2010

Manning led the Colts back to the Super Bowl after a 14-2 season, but the New Orleans Saints intercepted him late in the game to win 31-17, denying Manning a second championship.

Image source: Super Bowl XLIV

Misses entire season due to neck injury

Sep 2011 - Dec 2011

Multiple neck surgeries forced Manning to sit out the entire 2011 season, the only games he missed due to injury in his career. The Colts went 2-14 without him and earned the first overall draft pick.

Denver Broncos

Released by Colts; signs with Denver Broncos

Mar 20, 2012

After the Colts released Manning in March 2012, he signed a five-year contract with the Denver Broncos, beginning a new chapter of his career at age 36 following neck fusion surgery.

Comeback season earns Comeback Player of the Year

Sep 9, 2012 - Jan 12, 2013

Manning returned from injury to throw for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading Denver to a 13-3 record and earning AP Comeback Player of the Year honors.

Throws record seven touchdowns in season opener

Sep 5, 2013

In the 2013 season opener against Baltimore, Manning became the first player in NFL history to throw seven touchdown passes in a game, launching a historically prolific season.

Image source: 2013 Baltimore Ravens season

Sets NFL records with 55 TDs and 5,477 yards

Dec 29, 2013

Manning broke single-season records with 55 touchdown passes and 5,477 passing yards, winning his fifth MVP award as Denver posted a league-best 13-3 record.

Image source: 2013 Denver Broncos season

Loses Super Bowl XLVIII to Seattle Seahawks

Feb 2, 2014

Denver's record-setting offense was overwhelmed by Seattle's dominant defense in a 43-8 blowout at MetLife Stadium, leaving Manning's legacy questions unresolved once again.

Image source: Super Bowl XLVIII

Sits out six weeks with foot injury

Nov 15, 2015 - Dec 2015

A plantar fascia injury and declining performance led coach Gary Kubiak to bench Manning in favor of Brock Osweiler, casting doubt on whether he would ever start again.

Returns to lead Broncos to AFC Championship

Jan 24, 2016

Manning reclaimed the starting job and managed the game effectively as Denver's defense dominated Tom Brady's Patriots 20-18, sending Manning to his fourth Super Bowl.

Image source: AFC Championship Game

Wins Super Bowl 50 in final game of career

Feb 7, 2016

Manning helped Denver defeat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50, capturing his second championship and becoming the first starting quarterback to win Super Bowls with two different teams.

Image source: Super Bowl 50

Records and Legacy

Breaks all-time passing touchdowns record

Oct 19, 2014

Against San Francisco, Manning surpassed Brett Favre's record of 508 career touchdown passes, adding another milestone to his growing list of NFL records.

Image source: List of NFL career passing touchdowns leaders

Becomes NFL all-time passing yards leader

Oct 25, 2015

During a Sunday night game against Green Bay, Manning broke Brett Favre's record of 71,838 career passing yards, becoming the NFL's all-time leader in the category.

Image source: List of NFL career passing yards leaders

Announces retirement from the NFL

Mar 7, 2016

Manning announced his retirement after 18 seasons, finishing with 539 touchdown passes, 71,940 passing yards, five MVP awards, and two Super Bowl titles.

Colts retire his No. 18 jersey

Mar 7, 2016

The Indianapolis Colts retired Manning's number 18 shortly after his retirement, honoring the quarterback who transformed the franchise during his 14 seasons in Indianapolis.

Inducted into Denver Broncos Ring of Fame

Sep 2017

The Broncos honored Manning by enshrining him in their Ring of Fame at Empower Field (then Sports Authority Field), celebrating his four transformative seasons in Denver.

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Aug 8, 2021

In his first year of eligibility, Manning was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and delivered an emotional induction speech in Canton, capping off a first-ballot enshrinement.

Image source: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Launches ESPN's ManningCast with brother Eli

Sep 13, 2021

Manning began hosting 'Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli,' an alternate broadcast on ESPN2 alongside his brother Eli, blending football analysis with celebrity guests and humor.

Image source: Manningcast

Key Facts

Peyton Manning was drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 NFL Draft.
He won a record five NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards during his career.
Manning led the Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI (2007) against the Chicago Bears.
In 2013, he threw an NFL-record 55 touchdown passes in a single season with the Denver Broncos.
He retired after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos in February 2016, capping the 2015 season.

Source

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