Peyton Manning held a press conference this afternoon to officially announce his retirement and take questions from the media.
Here are the highlights from what the former quarterback of the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts had to say. You can watch the full press conference at the bottom:
Peyton Manning: "I want Vol fans everywhere to know the unique role that you've played in my life."
— Josh Ward (@Josh_Ward) March 7, 2016
Manning says staying his senior year at UT was one of the smartest decisions he's ever made.
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
It's the little things. That's what Peyton Manning is going to miss most.
Wow. Wow. Wow. https://t.co/0fGbraWrMT
— NFL (@NFL) March 7, 2016
Manning talking about Johnny Unitas, hoping he's "up there with his flat top," and that he's proud of him.
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
Manning talked about getting Indiana to love football. It's hard to overstate how much of a difference he made in that regard.
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
“I was thinking @mortreport and @AdamSchefter had gotten to my 5-year old daughter and cultivated a source.” – Peyton
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 7, 2016
Manning: "I'll even miss the Patriot fans in Foxboro. And they should miss me. Because they sure did get a lot of wins off of me."
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
Manning says he hasn't made any decisions about what to do next. Going on vacation, playing golf with his brothers.
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
Manning joking with Von Miller taking time out of his "celebrity tour."
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
Manning gets a Jamie Naughright question: "I think it is sad that some people don't understand the truth and the facts."
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
On Tennessee allegations: "i did not do what was alleged."
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) March 7, 2016
Manning: "I fought the good fight. I finished my football race. After 18 years, it's time. God bless all of you, and God bless football."
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
Manning ends it with "Omaha."
— Tennessee Beat (@TennesseeBeat) March 7, 2016
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
