After an 18-year-long professional football career, Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Denver Broncos, announced his plans for retirement from the National Football League (NFL)  just weeks after defeating the Carolina Panthers 24-10 at Super Bowl 50.

Manning’s football career began in college at University of Tennessee for his college career, and ended with two Super Bowl wins, five MVP awards and a collection of records set for the next generation of pro football players to defeat.

The newly retired quarterback started off his announcement at a recent press conference with, “There’s just something about 18 years; 18 is a good number, and today I retire from pro football.”

Later on in the announcement, the Hall of Famer assures fans and supporters that he will always love football, “So, you don’t have to wonder if I’ll miss it. Absolutely, absolutely I will … there were players who were more talented, but there was no one who could out-prepare me.”

Eli Manning, player for the New York Giants also wished his brother the best of luck, “I know it was tough for him, but I’m proud of the way he handled today. I thought he did a great job up there in his speech. You could see that it’s going to be tough for him, but I think it is good timing and he’s getting out at the right time,” he said.

Manning plans to spend time with his family and friends now that he is retired.

Megan Rosen, Staff Writer

Sophomore Megan Rosen is a staff writer for the 2015-2016 Colonel. She is on the volleyball team.