Peyton Manning walking off the field in Denver for the final time as a player after beating the Patriots in the AFC Title Game en route to Super Bowl 50 (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
Although it may have seemed inevitable, shortly after 11:00 Wednesday, Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan told the KOA Listeners on "Logan & Lewis" that "Peyton Manning has just been selected to be inducted into the the Broncos Ring of Fame. That will happen at halftime of a game coming up this year, he is the 35th member to go up in the Ring of Fame. Just got that notification, so happy to bring that news, and congratulations to Peyton.
About an hour after Logan's announcement the team confirmed Logan's announcement with a Press Release where Team President Joe Ellis said, "It comes as no surprise that Peyton Manning was unanimously elected as the 35th member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. His four seasons in Denver were marked by record-setting individual success and exceptional leadership that helped the Broncos to multiple Super Bowls and one of the winningest periods in team history. When Peyton arrived in 2012, his impact and standard was felt throughout our team, the entire organization and in the community. Coming back from a serious injury—with a new team in a new city—to not only win MVP but to have one of the greatest single seasons ever by any player was a remarkable feat.
"Peyton defined greatness as a Bronco. We’re thrilled that he will now join the other Broncos legends as our newest Ring of Famer."
Manning joins former cornerback Champ Bailey as the only Broncos to be selected to the team’s Ring of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the same season, doing so in his first year of eligibility for both distinguished honors. He is the fifth Broncos quarterback to be elected to the Ring of Fame, joining John Elway(1999), Craig Morton(1988), Charley Johnson(1986) and Frank Tripucka(1986).
Manning, who joined the Broncos as a free agent on March 20, 2012, after spending the first 14 years of his professional career with the Indianapolis Colts, helped the Broncos to the most total wins (55) and highest winning percentage (.764) of any team in the NFL from 2012-15. Leading the Broncos to regular-season records of 13-3, 13-3, 12-4 and 12-4, he became the first quarterback in team history to be part of four consecutive AFC West titles.
No player threw more touchdowns (151) in the regular season/playoffs combined from 2012-15 than Manning, who ranked third in the league in overall passer rating (99.6) as well as fourth in both overall passing yards (19,062) and completions (1,639) during that period. He was named anAssociated PressFirst-Team All-Pro during his first two seasons in Denver (2012-13), while being selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2012-14.
In 2013, Manning posted the most prolific season of any quarterback in NFL history en route to earning his fifth MVP honor and receivingSports Illustrated’s prestigious Sportsman of the Year award. Manning, who helped the Broncos to their first Super Bowl appearance in 15 years, set NFL single-season records for touchdown passes (55) and passing yards (5,477) while leading the highest-scoring offense (606 pts., 37.9 PPG) in NFL history.
Manning’s first season with the Broncos in 2012 saw him earn the AP Comeback Player of the Year award for his remarkable return to the field from a neck injury that forced him to miss the 2011 season. He also finished as runner-up for league MVP after setting Broncos single-season records for every major passing category.
The Ring of Fame selection committee is comprised of former General Manager John Beake, former Defensive Coordinator Joe Collier, Dave Logan, Team Historian Jim Saccomano, former Play-by-Play Announcer Larry Zimmer and Broncos President & CEO Joe Ellis.
Manning’s Ring of Fame induction ceremony will take place during the Broncos’ game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday, Oct. 31, at Empower Field at Mile High. Two weeks earlier, Oct. 17 vs. Las Vegas, Mike Shanahan goes into Ring of Fame. That same day Steve Atwater gets his Hall of Fame ring and Manning and John Lynch will be recognized as all 3 players HOF induction ceremonies will be held in August in Canton, OH.
Following his show Dave Logan said, "this was really a no-brainer. Peyton had 4 years here, the Broncos are in the Super Bowl twice and win it one time…this was something that didn’t require a heck of a lot of conversation amongst the committee members. It was quickly voted on."