The Road From Indy To Denver

Even as Peyton Manning built on his Hall of Fame career, a series of events stretching back nearly six years would eventually lead to the momentous move that shook the NFL last week

OCTOBER 2006

In a Week 7 game, Redskins defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter high-low Manning; he is bent backward, his helmet twisting off as he spins headfirst to the turf. Tony Dungy, then the Colts' coach, would later point to the hit as the beginning of Manning's neck problems.

FEBRUARY 2007

In a driving South Florida rain, Manning throws for 247 yards and a touchdown and is named MVP as the Colts defeat the Bears 29--17 in Super Bowl XLI. Two weeks later he agrees to restructure the last four years of his seven-year, $98 million contract.

JULY 2008

Manning has surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee. He misses most of training camp and sits out the preseason games before returning for the season opener, his 161st straight start.

OCTOBER 2008

During the broadcast of Indy's Week 6 game against the Ravens, CBS's Jim Nantz and Phil Simms report that Manning had a second surgery on his knee before the season began. Dungy confirms the report the next day.

FEBRUARY 2010