Manning's number 18 jersey to be retired by Colts
Even though Peyton Manning finished his career with the Denver Broncos, the Indianapolis Colts have plans to honour him in a big way during the 2017 NFL season.
The team announced on Tuesday they will retire Manning's number 18 jersey during the Colts' week five game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, October 8.
Manning, 41, will become the first player since the franchise moved to Indianapolis from Baltimore to have his number retired.
"Peyton will always be a Colt," owner Jim Irsay said. "This will be an event our city, state and Colts fans around the world can celebrate and be proud of."
During half-time of that game, the Colts will also induct 14-time Pro Bowler Manning into their Ring of Honour.
The statue of Peyton Manning will be unveiled October 7th at 3PM. We'll also retire the No. 18 jersey at #SFvsIND: https://t.co/YkM37YnLHN pic.twitter.com/xL0X5OY7Fw
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 9, 2017
The day before, a statue of Manning will be unveiled outside of Lucas Oil Stadium in a ceremony.
Seven previous Colts players have had their numbers retired: Johnny Unitas (19), Buddy Young (22), Lenny Moore (24), Art Donovan (70), Jim Parker (77), Raymond Berry (82) and Gino Marchetti (89).
"I am humbled, and I am grateful to Jim and the Irsay family for this tremendous honour," Manning said.
Manning spent the first 13 seasons of his NFL career with the Colts, leading them to victory in Super Bowl 41.
After several neck surgeries, he was released only to be scooped up by the Broncos for his final four NFL seasons.
He won Super Bowl 50 with Denver, making him the only starting quarterback in NFL history to lead two different teams to Super Bowl victories.