DENVER — During his 18 seasons as an NFL quarterback, Peyton Manning was one of the world’s biggest stars, widely popular to all fans, not just those with the Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
He seemingly is busier now that he’s retired, and eminently more recognizable, what with his Manningcast on Monday Night Football, numerous commercials, fan who regularly attends Broncos games, and Pro Bowl coach. He shows up at concerts and other public functions – but he also coaches his son Marshall’s youth football team and is there when daughter Mosley plays her sports, too.
“I feel like I’m stimulated but I’m good busy,’’ Manning said in an interview with 9NEWS prior to the Colorado Sports Halls of Fame banquet Wednesday at the Hilton Denver City Center.“ I’m busy on sort of my schedule and my terms. Like, I will be at my daughter’s volleyball games this weekend. And I will be at Marshall’s baseball games next weekend.
“So I’m not missing anything that I really want to be at, yet I’ve enjoyed some of these new ventures I’m into in this second chapter. And, actually, I get to do a lot of them from Denver. Some of those commercials I film here in Denver. Supporting the Denver community at the same time – not having to travel so I can be home.
“It’s hard to believe we’ve been here 12 years now in Denver. And proud to be here. I apologize, I do way too many commercials, but I do a lot in Denver so that’s a good thing.”
To think, many if not most football fans outside of the Rocky Mountain region consider Manning primarily an Indianapolis Colt. Yet, he spent 14 years in Indianapolis and is closing in on being a Denver resident just as long.
Manning is now a regular attendee of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame banquet as he awards out the 18-88 scholarship to a high school student-athlete each year. Manning wore No. 18 during his NFL playing days but the scholarship really honors his former Broncos’ teammate and favorite receiver Demaryius Thomas, No. 88, who died unexpectantly in December 2021 just prior to his 34th birthday.
The second annual $10,000 college 18-88 scholarship went to Westminster High School’s Ceezer Garcia, who overcame homelessness among other challenges to become the first member of his family to graduate from high school.
“Ceezer is a very deserving winner,’’ said Manning, who choked up while recalling Thomas during the presentation to Garcia. “I just got a chance to talk to him and his family and he just sort of defines what Demaryius Thomas was all about. (Demaryius) overcame so much at a young time in his life and obviously went on to do great things in college and the NFL. And we’re proud to partner with the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame to grant this scholarship to Ceezer as he goes to his college (Metro State) and wish him all the best in his future.”
As one might expect, Manning doesn’t just put his old number on the scholarship. He gets involved in the selection process.
“We do,’’ Manning said. “There’s a committee involved along with some folks with the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame that we formed with Tom (Lawrence, the president and CEO) two years ago. And there are some incredible applicants that have gone through so much adversity and they all are deserving of it. We pick one winner each year but some pretty inspirational stories, though. But we’re proud to honor Ceezer tonight.”
As for his hometown professional football team, Manning is as anxious as anyone else to see what the Broncos do with their No. 12 overall draft pick next week.
“Obviously next Thursday’s important,’’ Manning said about the first round of the NFL Draft. “It’s always important but I think it’s critical for the Broncos, especially to see where we’re going. I think it will say a lot about how our team is going to start out.
“I’m a big believer in Sean (Payton, the head coach) and what he can do. I know he and George (Paton, the general manager) have a good plan going into Thursday. I don’t have any inside knowledge. But I’m pulling hard for the team. Obviously, there’s been some change, some turnover and that can be exciting. It’s an opportunity for some other guys to have a chance to step up and we’ll see what happens next Thursday.”
The expectation is for the Broncos to parlay that No. 12 pick – whether by trading up a few spots, staying put, or trading back – on a quarterback. Manning is familiar with the top six potential first-round prospects – Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. Not necessarily in that order, but maybe.
“Most of them came to our football camp,’’ Manning said. “We have a high school football camp in New Orleans where the college players come and serve as counselors. Penix came two years – he came when he was at Indiana, came at Washington. McCarthy didn’t come but Daniels, Drake Maye, Bo Nix, know all those guys really well. I’ve met Caleb Williams so it’s a good class.
“They all do a lot of things well but all have their own unique traits as well. Any of those guys would be great fits here I think. If they’re available. We’ll see how it shakes out.”
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