Former University of Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the class of 2021.
Manning was the No. 1 overall pick by Indianapolis in the 1998 NFL draft.
The former Vol won two Super Bowls, one with the Colts and another with Denver. He appeared in the Super Bowl four times.
During Manning’s NFL career, he totaled 71,940 passing yards, 539 passing touchdowns and 6,125 completions.
Manning played for Tennessee from 1994-97. He led the Volunteers to the 1997 Southeastern Conference championship.
“It’s a time of reflection for me, for how thankful I am for all of the people who have been a part of this journey,” Manning said. “It’s not a game or a throw that really jumps out to me that I think about. I think about the relationships with the fans, teammates, coaches, support staff and friends. Certainly, my time in Knoxville was a huge part of it.
“Throughout my entire career, I was always reminded of where I came from. When my dad was playing, in the program I always used to check to be sure that all the words were correct. … Fast forward 20 something years later, and I am in the NFL. I always checked it—whether I was an Indianapolis Colt or a Denver Bronco—and it always said ‘quarterback, 18, Peyton Manning, 6-5, 225 or 230 and it always said from the University of Tennessee, New Orleans, Louisiana.’ I always carried those places with me. Even though it’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I truly go in as a Colt, Bronco, Tennessee Volunteer and a Newman School graduate from New Orleans.”
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