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Manning, Colts announce end of 14-year partnership 26

Posted: March 7, 2012, 5:59 PM ; Updated: March 7, 2012, 6:00 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Now that Peyton Manning's 14-year run with the Indianapolis Colts is over, the only four-time MVP in NFL history will turn his attention to finding a new team.

Manning and the Colts ended their successful partnership with a tearful goodbye Wednesday, when team owner Jim Irsay released the star quarterback rather than pay a whopping $28 million bonus while there are lingering questions about his health.


Another reality: Manning is sure to command plenty of offers on the open market as one of the most coveted free agents in league history - assuming he shows he is fine after a series of neck operations that forced him to miss all of last season.



He turns 36 this month, but his importance to the Colts' success was never more apparent than in 2011, when their record plummeted to 2-14 without him.




A few hours after the news conference, the Colts issued a statement giving the official news. The stark first sentence: "The Indianapolis Colts today released quarterback Peyton Manning."




Still, he said Wednesday: "I'll always be a Colt. I always will be. That'll never change."




Manning forever will be thought of around these parts as No. 18, the quarterback who led the Colts to an NFL championship, barking out signals while waving his arms at the line of scrimmage to change a play after reading the defense - something he did as well as any QB.



"There will be no other Peyton Manning," Irsay said, adding that he hoped Wednesday's joint appearance would serve to "honor incredible memories and incredible things that he's done for the franchise, for the city, for the state."


After being a No. 1 draft pick himself, Manning started every meaningful game for 13 seasons in Indianapolis - 227 in a row, including the playoffs - and took the Colts from perennial also-ran to one of the NFL's model franchises and the 2007 Super Bowl title.





But it has been mostly bad news ever since.






Your rating: None Average: 2.6 (20 votes)


Guys, The Colts Had No Choice. I'm a die-hard Colts fan too!!!

I hate his choice of Denver.
He needs to change to the Dolphins, now.


I am the biggest Peyton Manning fan you will ever meet! I was so sad when found out the colts where dumping him after all he did for them!! >:( I want him to come to my hometown team the KC Cheifs! He can help them so much like Joe Montanna did for them! Peyton PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE COME TO THE CHEIFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to say no he needs the Dophins.

I hope he comes to the Dolphins! Go Dolphins!

They're talking about him going to Denver!

If you question why the Colts released Peyton Manning, it is not because he won't be that good anymore. The Colts had to pay Peyton the 28 million dollar bonus so they released him so they wouldn't have to pay him!

Why would they get rid of Manning? FalconLasertag1 is SO right! He has at LEAST 3 years left in him. Come on, Indianapolis. You just lost one of the best QBs in the NFL.

Think about it. They can have a quarterback who (might) be great right now and who (might) have 3 years left on him, or, they can take Andrew Luck, who will (probably) take a year or two to become great, and then he can (probably) carry the team for the next 15 years. They couldnt have both (too much money). If I had to choose, I think the choice is pretty clear. Good job, Irsay.

P.S. Who in their right mind would want to pay a 38 year old quarterback 28million after coming off of FOUR neck surguries?

money on the floor

You say what?!?!



To bad he was good.

Colts are STUPID! There's still at least three years left in Manning. But I suppose Andrew Luck might be good. I guess we'll see.

Maybe the Colts will be lucky with Luck. ;)

I think this was smart of the Colts. It's still sad though. hopefully go RGIII.

I think the Colts made a good choice of letting him go to. I just hope the Colts do not do something odd and not pick Andrew Luck. If they do not the Colts will be in a 0-14 situation agian.

Are you crazy?!? Why do people think it's a good move?

Best wishes to Peyton manning. Still don't know why the Colts let him go.


Wouldn't it be funny to see him go to the Packers as a backup.

This is sad. :(

Not if your a Redskins fan. GO REDSKINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah! He was a legend!

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