The Colts brought an emotional end to the Peyton Manning era when they released the future Hall of Fame quarterback after 14 years with the team.
Colts cut ties with Manning after 14 years in Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Colts brought an emotional end to the Peyton Manning era when they released the future Hall of Fame quarterback after 14 years with the team.
At an emotional news conference on Wednesday, the team officially confirmed that their superstar quarterback was being released.
The number one pick of the 1998 draft transformed the Colts from the worst team in the NFL to one of the best, with two Super Bowl appearances and an almost annual trip to the play-offs.
Manning only signed a massive new $90 million deal last year, but a neck injury saw him miss the entire 2011 season and then cast doubts on his future in Indianapolis.
The Colts would have to pay Manning $28 million on March 13, and with his health issues that always seemed unlikely, especially as they have the first pick in April's draft with Andrew Luck, mooted as the best quarterback in the draft since, ironically, Manning, waiting to be selected.
Talks of re-working Manning's deal failed to result in an agreement and the Colts and Manning parted ways on Wednesday, sending the four-time MVP straight into the free agency market.
Honour
"We're here to announce the conclusion of Peyton's playing career with the Colts," Colts owner Jim Irsay said during an emotional news conference in Indianapolis.
"We're here very much as well to honour all the incredible memories and incredible things that he's done for the franchise."
Irsay added that the Colts would retire Manning's No. 18 jersey, to mark the impact he made to the team both on and off the field.
Along with all his success in smashing team records during his spell, Manning also raised the team's profile enough for them to stage the Super Bowl this year - which was ironically won by his brother Eli and the New York Giants.
Impact
The 35-year-old Manning insisted that despite four neck surgeries he had no thoughts of retirement, and with Luck waiting in the wings it always seemed likely he would end his hugely successful spell with the Colts.
With Manning calling the plays on offence, the Colts were built around him as he played every game in 13 straight seasons and led them to a first Super Bowl victory since moving from Baltimore in 1984.
Manning's Colts broke the regular season wins record in a decade with 115 and matched the Dallas Cowboys' mark of nine consecutive seasons in the play-offs - but perhaps his true impact was only really felt when they collapsed without him last season.
The Colts will now hope to build a new era behind Luck, a quarterback rated so highly that they would dare not pass on him to keep hold of an injured and ageing Manning.
Manning immediately enters free agency, and as long as he can prove his health he will attract huge interest around the league, with Miami, Washington, Arizona, New York Jets, Kansas City and San Francisco all possible suitors.
