Goodbye Peyton, Pt. 1: Retirement Press Conference

Peyton Manning announced his retirement from the NFL in a press conference held in Denver today. Here is the full video of his prepared statement, and the subsequent question and answer segment:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/denver-broncos/0ap3000000641998/Peyton-Manning-announces-his-retirement

Here are a few moments of personal significance for me:

(0:00-0:45) Mentions Marshall Faulk, Marvin Harrison, and Dan Marino as Hall-of-Famers on the field with him for his first game, and the moment he knew he would be able to compete in the league. #goosebumpsmoment number one.

(1:05- ) Johnny Unitas tells Peyton, "You stay at it. I'm pulling for you." He is surely proud of you, Peyton. As we all are. #goosebumpsmoment number two.

(1:35) "18 is a good number."

(2:00) Stay in school, kids! If it's good enough for Peyton to stay in college for four years, it should be good enough for you.

(3:10) Peyton still holds the record for interceptions by a rookie (28). 2nd-most is John Hadl with 24. Eli only had 9, but only started in 7 games.

(3:25) Weekly conversations with his grandfather about whether or not John Madden and Pat Summerall would cover Peyton's games. Not until his second year, when the Colts played the Cowboys: "I called Pa Pa. 'Guess what. Madden and Summerall are broadcasting the game.' He said, 'I can't believe it.' He was elated, he was very proud, and we beat the Cowboys that week, and we let the world know that the Colts had arrived." #goosebumpsmoment number three.

(4:35) "Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a manas he could be and he will become what he should be."

(6:45) Peyton’s conversation with his daughter, Mosley, is why I can’t wait to have kids.

(7:15) “Mort and Adam Schefter had gotten to my daughter to cultivate a new source.” Classic.

(7:45-9:40) “Teach them to enjoy the little things in life, because one day they’ll look back and discover that those really were the big things.” Followed by an incredible list of people, places, and moments. #goosebumpsmomentnumber4

(9:09)   “…And afterwards I’ll miss recapping the game with my dad; and checking to see if the Giants won, and calling Eli as we’re both on our team buses.” Almost cried. #goosebumpsmomentnumber5

(10:12) “Football has taught me not to be lead by set back and destructions, but to be lead by dreams.”

(10:30) “Life is not shrinking for me. It’s morphing into a whole new world of possibilities.”

(10:50) "Every moment... was about one thing. Reverence for this game... There were other players who were more talented, but there was no one who could out-prepare me. And because of that I have no regrets."

(11:20) 2 Timothy 4:7 "God bless you all, and God bless football."

*Press conference starts at 12:40*

 (17:05) I have a lot of bad words that I will spare you all to describe the woman who decided this moment was the right time to bring up the allegations about Peyton during his time at Tennessee. I understand it's a media event, and that you have a job, and the story is relevant in that it's been talked about over the last couple months. I get all of that. But all these couple of days leading up to this moment have been about have been celebrating this man. And you bring this up. I'm appalled, aggravated, and furious that you chose this moment to put yourself and your own agenda first. 

BUT, Peyton is the most professional professional ever, addressed it calmly, and then quoted Forest Gump: "And that's all I have to say about that." Brilliant.

And he completes the whole conference in the best way possible: "Omaha." 

Seriously. Watch at least his whole prepared speech at the start. It's worth it.