Peyton Manning Reflects On Being Named to 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class

It comes as no surprise that Peyton Manning is a first-ballot hall of famer. News broke moments ago about Manning's honor, and in a press release, he reflected on the honor.

It's a time of reflection for me, for how thankful I am for all of the people who have been a part of this journey," Manning said in the release. "It's not a game or a throw that really jumps out to me that I think about. I think about the relationships with the fans, teammates, coaches, support staff and friends. Certainly, my time in Knoxville was a huge part of it.

"Throughout my entire career, I was always reminded of where I came from. When my dad was playing, in the program I always used to check to be sure that all the words were correct. … Fast forward 20 something years later, and I am in the NFL. I always checked it—whether I was an Indianapolis Colt or a Denver Bronco—and it always said 'quarterback, 18, Peyton Manning, 6-5, 225 or 230 and it always said from the University of Tennessee, New Orleans, Louisiana.' I always carried those places with me. Even though it's the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I truly go in as a Colt, Bronco, Tennessee Volunteer and a Newman School graduate from New Orleans," Manning added on the honor.

He becomes the third Tennessee Volunteer to join the ranks in Canton, alongside Reggie White and Doug Atkins.

Manning, the consummate professional, was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and went on to have a career unlike any other.

"He remains the only player in NFL annals to win MVP honors five times and is tied for the most Pro Bowl selections with 14. In addition, he was a seven-time first-team All-Pro selection, Super Bowl XLI MVP, 2015 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, 2012 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, 2013 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, a member of the 2000s NFL All-Decade Team and one of the 10 quarterbacks selected for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team," according to the press release.

Manning will be enshrined on August 8th with the rest of the 2021 class.

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