Peyton Manning may have retired from the NFL nearly a decade ago. He still finds time to do research on his opposition, be that on the football field or in the television booth.
As one of the league’s greatest-ever gunslingers, Manning could’ve easily rested his laurels on his arm talent in an attempt to lead his sides to greatness. Instead, he became one of the league’s best thinkers, outsmarting his foes with regularity to climb up the football record book.
He’s not on the field nowadays. But he still makes his presence felt, even on NBC’s sports desk. And for Friday’s Olympics opening ceremony, he was donning, among other things, a wristband fit for a king…or a neurotic play-caller.
Manning made light of his commitment to excellence when he played with the Colts and Broncos, highlighting the absurdity of his choice to deliberately put on such a device to prepare for an opening ceremony, no less. He chatted with fellow NBC colleague Kelly Clarkson to explain how he was turning back the clock with his outfit selection.
LIVE: Paris Olympics begin with opening ceremony spectacle on Seine River
“Oh, this is just my wristband,” Manning revealed. “I have notes on all 200 countries, of all 10,000 athletes. That’s not normal?”
“That’s just Peyton Manning being Peyton Manning.” 😂
The Sheriff came prepared with a playcaller’s wristband at the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony.
📺 Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/eZubPCtRZ9
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 26, 2024
Peyton Manning came prepared with a playcaller’s wristband at the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony. 😂
📺 Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/pA4jVAmlhc
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) July 26, 2024
No, Peyton, it is not. Then again, what else would you expect from a Pro Football Hall of Famer who finished his career with the most passing yards and touchdowns in NFL history?
Manning enjoyed a captivating debut throughout Friday’s festivities, quipping about his experience as a top-tier athlete and any sort of overlap it could have with those gracing Paris’ cobbled streets.
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His wristband, it seems, was another olive branch towards sportsmen of a younger generation. Clarkson and Mike Tirico appeared to enjoy it, frolicking in delight as Manning reminisced on his past.
Opening Ceremony production meeting today, including @kellyclarkson , Peyton Manning & @miketirico.
Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony coverage begins Friday at NOON ET on NBC and @peacock. pic.twitter.com/cP03DnQgnN
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) July 23, 2024
Peyton Manning stats
At the time of Manning’s retirement, he was the greatest passer in NFL history, ranking first in passing yards (71,940) and passing touchdowns (539). He’s since been displaced atop both peaks by the likes of Tom Brady and Drew Brees, respectively. Nevertheless, he still sports one of the greatest stat lines of any QB, past or present.
Here’s a look at where Manning’s final numbers rank in NFL lore.
| Stat | Total | Ranking |
| Passing yards | 71,940 | 3rd |
| Passing TDs | 539 | 3rd |
| Passer rating | 96.5 | 15th |
| Completions | 6,125 | 4th |
| Passing yards per game | 270.5 | 7th |
| Fourth-quarter comebacks | 43 | 2nd |
| Wins | 186 | 3rd |
Peyton Manning height
Standing at a height of 6-5, Manning towered over the defenders he practically made obsolete over the course of his career.
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Peyton Manning wife, kids
Manning is married to Memphis native Ashley Thompson, whom he met after some of Thompson’s parents’ next-door neighbors introduced the pair prior to Manning’s freshman year at Tennessee.
“It was in August, at one of the few fraternity parties I went to,” Manning wrote in his memoir, Manning, A Father His Sons, And A Football Legacy. “We were introduced and only talked a little while. I didn’t make a big first impression (she said later my pastel shirt was a turnoff) but I was certainly impressed.” He continued, “With all her qualities, I think what pleased me most about Ashley, though, was that she liked me for who I was, not what I was.”
He and Thompson were wed on St. Patrick’s Day, 2001, overcoming the trials and tribulations of long-distance dating — Manning was at Tennessee, while Thompson attended Virginia — to get to the altar.
The couple have two children, fraternal twins Marshall Williams and Mosley Thompson, who were born on March 31, 2011.
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Peyton Manning retirement
Manning called it quits after the 2015 season, the worst season of his professional career, spelling an end to an 18-year odyssey in football’s top-flight.
“When I look back on my NFL career, I’ll know without a doubt that I gave everything I had to help my teams walk away with a win,” Manning said in his retirement speech, per ESPN. “There were other players who were more talented but there was no one could out-prepare me and because of that I have no regrets.
“There’s a scripture reading, 2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight and I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.
“Well, I’ve fought a good fight. I’ve finished my football race and after 18 years, it’s time. God bless all of you and God bless football.”
