When quarterback Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50, his brother, Giants quarterback Eli Manning, didn’t exactly look thrilled.
But after the press conference Monday in which Peyton Manning officially announced his retirement, less than a month after winning the second Super Bowl of his career, his brother’s take was much different. In a piece that aired on ESPN that looked back at Peyton Manning’s career, Eli Manning narrated old home movies and season-defining highlights, and he talked about what his brother meant to him.
And it was precious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyCQby6r0zA
Not everyone had nice things to say about Manning. Take Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams.
Though Manning is an all-time great and one of the best quarterbacks ever to take the field, Williams—who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns as a 32-year-old last year but who has also underperformed for much of his career—didn’t think much of Manning’s final season.
Hey I’m in full petty mode right now guys so I advise you to chill this beautiful Sunday I’ve been in the airport all day
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 7, 2016
😂u are kidding me right last year Peyton manning without the name would never have been in the NFL anywhere Pete😡😡 https://t.co/C4PvxGztIh
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 7, 2016
Look Peyton is a hall of fame qb who couldn’t play dead in a western last year but career over all is astonishing but last year was 💩😷
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 7, 2016
Williams, of course, is right. Manning, for much of the 2015 season, was the worst he’s ever been. But Manning did help his team win a Super Bowl, so there’s that.
Aside from Williams and some on Twitter who reminded us about Manning’s controversies during the past few months—including allegations that he sexually harassed a University of Tennessee trainer when he was in college, and that he had human growth hormone delivered to his house—most people took to social media to praise Manning and his career.
Ending his retirement presser with “Omaha”… What a legend… Congrats Peyton
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 7, 2016
Peyton Manning. Legendary quarterback. Legendary tackler?
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 7, 2016
Sorry @Campbell93. 😂 pic.twitter.com/Civdvm3I6Y
Manning’s good bye is up there with Lou Gehrig’s speech to the Yankees as one of the greatest retirement speeches of all time.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) March 7, 2016
Photo via Denver Broncos/Twitter
