Peyton Manning Announces Retirement

Saying the time was right, an emotional Peyton Manning thanked family, friends and former teammates, coaches and opponents Monday as he ended his historic NFL career.

After taking a few moments to compose himself, Manning opened his remarks to a packed meeting room with a recollection of his first pass, first touchdown and first game as a pro. And he recalled meeting Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas during that rookie season.

"I had a chance to shake Johnny Unitas' hand and he said, 'Peyton, you stay at it,'" Manning said. "Well, I have stayed at it, I stayed at it for 18 years. And I hope old No. 19 is up there, with his flattop and maybe his black high-tops on and I hope he knows that I have stayed at it.

"There's just something about 18 years; 18 is a good number, and today I retire from pro football."

In just under 13 minutes, Manning also tried to thank two NFL cities and two franchises, as well as the University of Tennessee, and he tried to sum up his 18 seasons, five MVP awards, two Super Bowl wins and a pile of records.

And he even signed off with an "Omaha."

Manning said he called each of his former coaches over the past few days -- Jim Mora, Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell and John Fox -- and he spoke to Broncos coach Gary Kubiak. Manning said later he had called each of the coaches in the order in which he had played for them.

Manning also told a story about his daughter Mosley asking him if Super Bowl 50 was "the last game."

"Yes, Mosley it's the last game of the season," Manning said. "Then she asked, 'Daddy, is this the last game ever?' And that's just when I shook my head in amazement because I was thinking, 'Mort and Adam Schefter had gotten to my 5-year-old daughter to cultivate a new source.'"

All in all, it was a celebration of Manning's four years with the Broncos and 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, as well as an appreciation of his Hall of Fame career. Broncos CEO/team president Joe Ellis, executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway and Kubiak all spoke before Manning. A short tribute video was also shown in an invitation-only gathering in the team meeting room at the Broncos' complex.

Ellis opened the event, calling it "an historic day'' and said Manning had "made our team better, made our organization better and made our community better.'' Ellis added he "looked forward'' to Manning's induction into the team's Ring of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There is a five-year waiting period for both.

Manning had wrestled with the decision about whether or not to retire until late last week. On Saturday night, Manning started to notify many in his most-trusted inner circle of his intentions. Manning made a call to Kubiak as well that night.

"I revere football, I love the game,'' Manning said. "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.''

More than a dozen of Manning's former teammates were in attendance -- 13 posed for a picture with Manning -- and several times there was applause during Manning's remarks.