Colts: Watch Peyton Manning get surprised with Hall of Fame announcement

Indianapolis Colts fans needed a break from the unrelenting buzz surrounding their reported interest in trading for a high-profile quarterback. Per the latest rumors, that search appears to be drawing to a close, but let’s take a step away from the madness to highlight the pinnacle achievement of the franchise’s all-time greatest quarterback, shall we?

On Saturday night, it was confirmed that Peyton Manning will be immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of ballot eligibility. The 44-year-old cemented his status as a legend to the game (and the Colts) long ago, and this accolade was obviously a matter of when, not if, but it’s still just as gratifying for fans to watch it become history.

What’s even better than knowing the bust is in production? Watching Manning being brought to tears with his surprise Hall of Fame announcement. It probably won’t sit right with Colts fans that the reveal came with him standing inside Mile High Stadium, home of the Broncos, and not Lucas Oil, but that shouldn’t take away from his wholesome moment.

Colts legend Peyton Manning was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend.

In all seriousness, this over-the-top honor is exactly what Manning deserved. The former No. 1 overall pick by the Colts played 18 seasons for the organization and won Super Bowl XLI with them during the 2006 campaign. He won another with Denver in 2015 (the year he retired), joining a short list of quarterbacks that had the luxury of going out a champion.

Perhaps more impressive than Manning’s postseason feats, however, was his regular season dominance. By the time he retired, the 14-time Pro Bowler set a slew of NFL records, including career tallies like passing yards (71,940), passing touchdowns (539), game-winning drives (56) and total wins (201). He also set the single-season mark for yards through the air (5,477) and touchdown throws (55).

The weekend of Aug. 8, when Manning will be formally immortalized in Canton, will be one for the record books for Colts fans, as former star running back Edgerrin James will join him in being enshrined — albeit as part of the 2020 class — the day prior, since his ceremony was canceled in light of the coronavirus pandemic last summer.

Colts: Peyton Manning trolling Tom Brady will never get old

Peyton Manning jokingly came one step short of ending an interview with Kurt Russell after he mentioning he's a Patriots fan because of Tom Brady.