Indianapolis Colts legend Peyton Manning speaks with the team’s current starting quarterback Daniel Jones. Manning has been seen often spending time with Jones and acting as a mentor for him during his time with the Colts.

Naptown is Manning’s True Home

10 years ago, one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever throw a spiral retired from the NFL. Peyton Manning did it all during his time in the pros, winning the most MVP awards in league history and winning the Super Bowl with two different franchises. When it was all said and done, he ranked third in all-time passing yards and touchdowns.

No one debates the greatness we witnessed, but one question remains hotly contested to this day: Is Manning an Indianapolis Colt or a Denver Bronco?

So much chatter, especially as of late, has spread about how Manning seems to prefer Denver over Indianapolis. While his greatest season was on the Broncos, one cannot deny the impact Indianapolis had on him. 

He spent over a decade on the same team that hails him to this day as the franchise’s savior. While the ending to his career in Indy was rocky, it doesn’t distract from how much that time impacted him. 

Even if he doesn’t claim the Colts much anymore and has shown more of an affinity for the Broncos, the ties he formed and continues to create with the city speak louder than his words do. His friendship with team owner Jim Irsay continued even after the heartbreaking end to his time in Indy and he continues to spend time around the team and state.

Most recently, he spent time with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, demonstrating his continued work in forming bonds with the state that took him in.

Even beyond sports, he continues to support the philanthropy he started in Indy. Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent continues to feel the support of their namesake, with “The Sheriff” donating $4 million dollars in February to continue supporting the youth of Indy. 

Despite his current Denver residence and recent affinity for the Broncos, Manning has formed ties through his time in Naptown that have cemented his status as an Indianapolis Colt.

Manning is a Bronco through and through

Denver Broncos legend Peyton Manning coaches current team quarterback Bo Nix. Manning has been very connected with the development of Nix.

10 years ago, Peyton Manning, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, announced his retirement, just a month after he led the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl 50 win.

“The Sheriff” spent 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and only four with the decidedly superior horse-branded team, the Denver Broncos.

The Bronco had something to prove in his first year in the mountains after the Colts made their biggest mistake: letting Manning go. During Manning’s first year in Denver, he set two NFL single-season records with 55 touchdown passes and 5,477 passing yards, both records remaining unbroken 13 years later.

While “The Sheriff” recorded a Super Bowl win and MVP awards with both teams and stayed in Indiana longer, his home is at Mile High Stadium in Colorado, and he himself has made this clear. 

During a broadcast with brother and former Giants quarterback Eli, Bills quarterback Josh Allen fumbled the ball in a game against the Denver Broncos. Reacting to the game, the retired Bronco said, “That’s our ball. That’s the Broncos ball.” 

Manning has also been seen coaching the newest Broncos franchise quarterback, Bo Nix, also known as “The Marshall.” One instance of him coaching for the orange and blue was against the Colts during Nix’s rookie season, a game the Broncos won 31-13. 

On top of it all, Manning still resides in Colorado with two Denver homes. The second in 2023 near his mansion residence he bought in 2012.

“Denver’s a great city, and I have a connection here,” Manning said in 2022. 

One thing to be learned from Manning’s obvious choice is this: Colts grow up and become Broncos.

Categories: Sports