Here’s how the NFL world reacted when Peyton Manning signed with the Broncos in 2012.
Broncos general manager John Elway pulled off the best signing of his career in 2012, landing superstar quarterback Peyton Manning on a five-year, $96 million contract.
With the anniversary of that signing one month away, the NFL’s “Throwback” channel posted a video compilation of reactions to Manning landing in Denver. The video is blocked from being viewed here but can be seen on YouTube.
After signing with the Broncos, Manning went on to help the team win the AFC West in four straight seasons, reaching two Super Bowls along the way. Following the 2015 season, Denver defeated the Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.
With that victory, Manning became the first starting quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl with two different teams. He retired after that Super Bowl win with 14 Pro Bowl nods and five NFL MVP awards on his resume. Manning will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
On Jan. 31, 1999, the Denver Broncos (17-2) defeated the Atlanta Falcons (16-3) 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Broncos were considered 7.5-point favorites going into the game and ended up beating the Falcons by 15 points.
Denver quarterback John Elway was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after completing 18-of-29 passes for 336 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Elway also rushed for a score.
Elway retired during the 2000 offseason after helping the Broncos win back-to-back Super Bowls. One year before defeating Atlanta, Elway helped Denver defeat the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII.
Against the Falcons, running back Terrell Davis rushed 25 times for 102 yards and wide receiver Rod Smith caught five passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. Davis and Smith now rank first on the team’s all-time rushing list and receiving list, respectively.
Seventeen years after winning Super Bowl XXXIII, the Broncos returned to the NFL’s championship game and defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50. Von Miller took home MVP honors for that contest.
In 2009, Texas was looking for revenge against Texas Tech. Let by some good defense, the Longhorns were able to do that with a 34-24 win.
To open Big 12 play in 2009, Texas hosted Texas Tech in what was a revenge game from the year before. In 2008, the Red Raiders beat the Longhorns, giving them their only loss of the season. This year, Texas made sure they would not come in their way of a perfect season.
Ranked No. 2 in the country, Texas was led offensively by quarterback Colt McCoy and wide receiver Jordan Shipley. The two connected 11 times for 73 yards. Shipley also returned a first-quarter punt 46 yards to give Texas a 7-3 lead.
Hunter Lawrence kicked a field goal in the first minute in the second quarter and that was the only scoring of the first half. Texas went into the locker room winning 10-7.
The second half was the opposite of the first, with each team finding their rhythm on offense. The first four drives in the half had four touchdowns, two for each team. Running backs Tre Newton and Cody Johnson found the endzone for Texas, while Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts found wide receiver Lyle Leong twice to make it 24-17 in favor of the Longhorns.
With the good, also came the bad. The four drives after the scores were a Texas punt, Potts interception, McCoy interception, and a Sergio Kindle strip-sack on Potts. After the fumble, the Longhorns finally took advantage of a turnover, as McCoy found wide receiver Dan Buckner for a three-yard score.
The Red Raiders responded with another Taylor Potts touchdown, but Texas was able to ice the game with a nine-play, 50-yard drive that ended in a Lawrence field goal to give the Longhorns a 34-24 lead. Texas forced a turnover on downs and got their revenge against Texas Tech.
While Potts’ 420 yards was the most the Longhorn defense allowed all year, Texas held Texas Tech to -6 yards on the ground. They also forced five fumbles, but only recovered two of them. Add an interception and the Longhorns forced three turnovers.
Colt McCoy had one of his worst days of the regular season, throwing his only multiple interception game. Tre Newton led the team in rushing, having 88 yards on 20 carries.
This game started a six-game winning streak in the series for the Longhorns. Tomorrow’s matchup will make it a decade since this matchup and Texas has gone 8-2 in those 10 games. With a win tomorrow, they can keep that 8-2 record in the 2010s.
Texas will face Texas Tech on Friday at 11:00 a.m. on Fox.
