Peyton's final season and playoffs are like a sports movie. The guy whose body is about to force him to quit the game he loves, going for one last chance, and he finishes with a championship. I mean, Von Miller and that defense won it for him, but you can't take that ring away.

Fun Fact: Peyton heading to Tennessee led to the backup pursuing a baseball career. That backup was none other than Todd Helton, who would go on to have a great baseball (I would argue a HOF) career.

Let me put this in perspective. The first year Peyton was on the Broncos he had less interceptions than neck surgeries. He went from somebody who might not throw again to throwing the most touchdowns in a season ever

Say what you want about Peyton in the playoffs, but you cannot deny the fact that the man played quarterback.

Back when Madden was good, this man used to give me nightmares. Changing the play 5 times at the line of scrimmage. One of the main reasons I went undefeated after awhile. Big Legend

Take a look at the one season he was out injured and how hard the Colts plummeted without him. He carried them hard and he got Denver relevant again before the defense elevated to get him that second title in his twilight. For some of his shortcomings. football would mean nothing in Indy without him. Now, it means a heck of a lot to them. And he came back from an injury that could have permanently ruined his ability to throw. And yes people, they Sucked for Luck, ya think? Polian was a good GM and Grigson sent Luck to hell with his incompetence. Still doesn't distract from the fact that Manning was essential to the Colts being relevant, even in a team game.

Growing up in Indy, Peyton was this golden figure. I know all franchise QBs get invested in their cities, but I didn't even grow up in a sports household and we loved him. He always seemed so proud to be here and had that plainspoken earnest quality that Hoosiers see in themselves. Learning more about Cooper really puts perspective on his unceasing work with Riley's Children Hospital. When he was injured, we just said, "What an incredible coach he'll be. Hope he stays with us." Always rooting for him, Colt or Bronco or stay at home daughter-wrangler. Thanks for an amazing career.

Peyton Manning is my favorite qb of all time, he's probably the best in just raw talent

It was a pleasure to watch him play. The on the field at the line calls and audibles were amazing to watch.

Colts' management and ownership cost us so many championships. The fact that Peyton even got us a championship is insane.

As a kid I rooted against him his entire career. But as soon as I watched that retirement speech I cried, especially as a Pats fan when he called us out and thanked us. Never in my life have I ever realized I was so wrong about someone in just a singular moment. Absolute class act and legend.

I’m a pats fan, didn’t hesitate to watch this video, got me nostalgic, like I spent almost 15 years hating this dude, he made me pissed when he won his first, made me cry when he almost beat us in 2010, but when he retired I broke, that rivalry with Brady was unmatched, it was THE GAME, after that I started appreciating him, his greatness, hard to tell Brady story without this Goliath, impossible to tell nfl’s without him

Something about that first shot of the family - at 1:13 - makes me feel really bad for Cooper before the narrative even gets started. Glad that you touched on his influence on the story.

As expected, this comment section is basically on gonna be a Civil War between Brady fans and Manning fans

Crazy that his career / legacy could have been 10x more impactful had 3 or 4 games gone his way

Going to a sports bar with my dad and watching him drink blue beer to Peyton's first and only Indianapolis championship is bittersweet memories because I was too young to drink (I was 20) thank you for this Secret Base.

despite the playoffs loses, Peyton will always be one of my all time favorite QBs.

Ravens fan here, I’ll never forget that battle in Denver in the 2012-13 season. Probably my favorite game of all time. It was amazing watching Peyton play chess against Ed and Ray.

Clicked faster than the 2013 Broncos offense

A list of accomplishments as long as his forehead.

“Peyton wasn’t the families chosen one because he had the BIGGEST FOREHEAD out of the bunch!” LMAO

I always think it's appropriate that it seems like Peyton was always the guy to have in the regular season, but Eli was the one to have in the postseason. The difference in how they performed in their two super bowl runs is as stark as their regular season records. Plus as iconic as Peyton has been for all of us who watched over the 2000s, Eli has the Tyree pass, the Manningham pass, and the OBJ pass. I mean, the Manningham pass is the best throw in SB history and possibly one of the best throws from a QB in history with that perfect placement in one of the highest stress moments possible.

Please do a Prism episode on Dirk. Very similar to this story, without that one title, he’d just be another Barkley. Keep up the great work 🙌🏽

As a colts fan through those years. It was so frustrating to see a team so talented, just get beat up in the playoffs. That 05 team is one of the best of all time, and got smacked by Pittsburgh and a missed kick. Also, people don’t realize, that Indy did NOTHING to help their offense schematically, especially their receivers. They NEVER moved their receivers around. Wayne and Harrison stayed in the same spot, every play, no matter what. Also, they weren’t very physically tough. So when they matched up against strong tough defenses, Indy’s receivers and line got beat up. Peyton manning made that offensive line look much better than it actually was. It was middle of the pack to bottom half in talent and skill. They were small. It wasn’t so much Peyton manning choking, as it was the team being exposed for what it was, and Polian and Dungy being too stubborn to get better players in there. Their answer to those losses were “we just have to play harder and better”. It took that team being desperate, playing desperate, and running into the bears in a super bowl, to have one title during the manning era. Best regular season teams of all time. But weak physically comparatively speaking.

This is really one of the best series you guys have done. I want more episodes like for guys like Kobe or Charles Barkley just as examples

Peyton made 4 super bowls, won 2, had a >.500 playoff record, and had a 3-2 versus Tom Brady in the playoffs. Based on those stats, you wouldn't be calling him a playoff choker... but old reputations stick to you.

It is that he DID keep coming back that makes him such a solid legend, imho.

Been near a decade since I was happy as a Bronco fan, and it was thanks to this man.

He could have gone down as the second coming of Dan Marino. Instead, he transcended.

Why, when I started watching this, did my mind flash to: "Peyton's career really reminds me of Elway. A HoF QB who was going to be known for his playoff losses, but eventually won 2 SBs - retiring / going out after winning the 2nd one.

Thank you. Your videos are so well presented that they teach this know nothing about your sports Englishman a great deal. Brilliant.

Dangit, guys, you are killing it with these Prism videos. Love Peyton!

Duke football fan here, David Cutcliffe isn’t a “quarterback whisperer,” he got lucky. Cut was Duke football’s head coach until 2021.

I’m loving the frequent releases for this series, keep em coming!

I grew up in New England, and I never felt like we questioned peytons legacy or was our punching bag, Indy was the most consistent challenger in the AFC during the Brady era, even after Peyton left we still had to get through Luck

Peyton Manning really is the modern equivalent of Johnny Unitas.

As a young man growing up in Northwest Indiana, there was something of a geographical prerogative to be a Bears fan. All of the television in the area was based out of Chicago, so to root for the less-storied team in Indianapolis would place you in the minority. I was a Bears fan then, and a Bears fan now - but MAN I will never forget that 2006 Super Bowl. A matchup of Chicago's defense & special teams versus the Colts' offense loaded with true generational talents...that was the day I learned that I really cared about sports.

People sometimes forget this about Peyton Manning because of how his career ended: He's only 2-2 in the Super Bowl. In fact, just two years before his SB50 victory, he suffered one of the most humiliating losses in Super Bowl history to the Seattle Seahawks in SB XLVIII. Just the fact he came back in just two years after that humiliation and won the Super Bowl shows how good Peyton really was.

Another great vid, thanks again

Part of me still wishes Peyton had only gotten the one superbowl win, only because it's hilarious to imagine Eli showing up at Thanksgiving dinners with his pair of rings and smirking.

Fun fact, he has a winning record against Brady in the Playoffs. So he didn't choke all the time in the Playoffs.

One of the best to ever do it. Would’ve have more rings but that guy Brady kept getting in the way every time. Definitely one of my favorite QBS growing up as kid.

This is a great video, love it.

Love these videos!

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION x 2 🏆🏆 The Sheriff is the MAN! 😎 Let’s not blame him for ALL the shortcomings, he went up against Tom Brady, Belichick and the Patriots during their dynasty days. Also Dungy and the defense let him down a few different times during their time together. ✌️🏉🙌

One of the GOATs

I feel very blessed as a spectator of the sport to have witnessed this era of the NFL

I will say Peyton's football IQ was other worldly. He was a surgeon. To me he was like the Tom Glavine of football. Nip nip nip strikeout. Pass here pass here pass there touchdown. Fun to watch.

To be fair to the reporter at 13:22, they are only talking about his *postseason* reputation (i.e. that it is poor). The reporter says, literally in the sentence after 'never existed', that the 'regular season' reputation was never in doubt. Manning was, for sure, one of the all-time great QBs and any reporter who would suggest otherwise wouldn't be making much sense!

I didn’t realize the injuries he suffered in 2010 were that bad. I honestly have a lot more respect for him now

This was definitely one of the all time best videos on this channel.

Great commentary as always!

Peyton underachieved during the playoffs

Love the videos! I would love to see a rewinder episode for James Conrad’s “Holy Shot” at the 2021 Disc Golf World Championships. I don’t know if y’all would do a video on disc golf, but if you do, this seems like a deserving moment.

Peyton is one of my all time favorite qbs..college and pro...this video enhances that for me

This series might be your best yet

I don't believe that playoff choker crap for a bit. Even though it was a lot of letdowns. That goes to show how Great the expectations was for him.

Would love to see one of these on Greg Norman....similar to Manning an all time great in his sport (golf) that came up short more often than not

Couldn't wait for this one

I'm in Indy and I watched all Manning's games. The passing attack was so spectacular, people wildly overestimated how good the rest of those Colts teams were (very mediocre), especially when up against quality opponents (worse). It's hard to win playoff games when you spot the other teams seven points on the opening drive, can't run the ball between the tackles, can't pass protect, and the other team knows you'll have to throw the ball to make a comeback. On top of that, dude was fragile and Indy couldn't figure out how to protect the one player that was winning them games. Manning got a children's hospital and a stadium built here in Indy. He deserved a better career than what the Colts were able to give him.

Peyton Manning is in a class all his own.

I'd love to see something on Derrick Rose's career. He really was the most explosive player in the league for a couple seasons, then the knee injury. Don't know if it would be a Rewinder or an episode of Prism🤷 Big fan of the channel thanks everyone!

Now that Russell Wilson is a Bronco, I’ve watched that hike go by Peyton’s ear probably 20 times now. Hurt to watch then, still does.

Indiana native here. Peyton is so universally loved to this day, it's crazy. I don't think I've ever met a Hoosier that didn't love Peyton. Reggie Miller is the only comparison I would make but even he's not a household name to the extent that Manning is. Young, old, rich, poor, as all fans of #18

If the Colts had beat the Saints in the SB, 100% Manning retires as a result of those neck surgeries and then stays on as a coach or advisor to help Arians coach Luck. EDIT: or maybe we don't get rid of Caldwell, who as it turns out is a very good coach, and maybe we do better with those weird Grigson years.

To me, he was the funnest to watch. Was like watching Troy Polamalu on Defense.

This guy was my favorite player growing up. I was a Niners fan because that's the family biz, but I also ended up rooting for the Colts because he just grabbed me. When I was like, 9, I asked for his autobiography as a birthday gift. I still don't know why he fascinated me so much as a kid but he'll always hold a place in my heart.

Growing up in Indy, Peyton really was the face of the city. Everyone loved him even people who didn’t follow football. News of his injury and then being cut devastated everyone and I remember even my teacher in school being sad about breaking the news of him leaving the team

I mean Peyton manning did call his own plays which means most of game responsibility was on his shoulders during playoffs

Removing the last Broncos season for a second ... Do you realize that Manning could have been one good performance by Rex Grossman away from having *zero* titles? Yikes. Of course, Grossman accounted for four (!!) turnovers in the Super Bowl, so Indy winning that one isn't shocking.

Colts Franchise in IND from 1984 to 1998: 86 wins (including playoffs) 3 playoff appearances Colts from 1998 to 2010: 150 wins 11 playoff appearances 2 AFC Titles Won Super Bowl 41 Colts in 2011: 2-14 I don’t think people appreciate how shitty the Colts were before Manning got there & when he was out for the 2011 season.

I like the story about the HOF presentation made for him: allegandly a guy stood up, said "Peyton Manning",...... and sat down.

"Aw man, the Bears never get covered here and when they do it's always for a negative reason. I'll watch this of course but reliving that Super Bowl is gonna hurt" *Video doesn't even mention his opponent in his first SB*

Remember when Curtis Painter had to step in for Peyton? Poor guy lmao

Thanks!

Football's Greg Maddux, I've always said. It was so fun to watch a humble, normal man, go out and week after week dismantle teams. He added more value to his teams on a per-game basis than anyone in history and it's not close. Denver fans saw a unique side of him: for 12 years he was death incarnate playing against you...and after that it was just obvious you would win when he was on your team.

The Aaron Rodgers of the 2000’s

Manning is a top 10 all time QB without any doubt. But he doesn’t belong in any conversation about the GOAT. He just didn’t show up in big games throughout his entire career. The Super Bowl win in his final year doesn’t really mean much for his legacy imo. The Broncos won despite his poor play due to their insane defense. He was carried to that title. Even in college he could never win on the biggest stage, and that trend continued for his entire career. Again, he is an all time great - but along with guys like Marino and Young, he’ll always be a tier below the Brady-Montana-Elway level.

Love this series

Really liking this series! Joe is up there with Seth and Clara on my list.

I don't care what anyone says. Brady is the most accomplished and most successful QB ever, but Peyton Manning is Da GOAT!!!

Probably the only thing that separates him from Tom Brady

I loved watching Peyton Play..One of the greatest!

Best episode yet

Judging players by rings in a team sport has and always will be illogical and asinine. Peyton and Marino are top 1-2 quarterbacks of all time in any order, and that's just how things are.

Top 3 QB Ever. Not even debatable.

Tom Brady’s 7 Super Bowls are proof of 2 things: 1) Brady is an absolute alien and has been extraordinary in winning those rings 2) It has taken a significantly large portion of luck in order for the events to fall that way in Brady’s favor. Peyton Manning wasn’t so lucky. Drops and poor rush defense doomed his 1999 Colts against a historic Titans defense. He led a drive that should’ve resulted in a game winning field goal in overtime of the 2000 Wildcard Round against Miami, but Mike Vanderjagt missed the kick and Miami ended up winning the game. Vanderjagt missed an early field goal in 2002 against the Jets, and then Manning didn’t touch the ball again until he was down 17-0. Drops once again doomed the Colts in 2004 in New England against a historically great team. Multiple errors late in 2005 against Pittsburgh saw a late Peyton comeback opportunity fall short 21-18. He was outstanding in 2007 against San Diego, far better than Brady was the next week, his 2 interceptions were each tipped/deflected and his defense and drops failures late in the game doomed the Colts chances at a repeat. More team errors late and horrifically bad starting field position in 2008 against San Diego caused the Chargers to beat Indy again. Everyone remembers the Tracy Porter INT in Super Bowl 44, everyone forgets the onside kick, missed field goal, and dropped touchdowns from the Colts in that game in what was an otherwise perfect game from Manning. More bad starting field position and special teams errors caused the Colts to flame out in 2010 against the Jets. There’s of course the Rahim Moore play in 2012 against the Ravens, and then his entire team disappearing in 2013 against a historically great Seattle team in SB43. You may point to his lackluster stats in his 2 Super Bowl wins as evidence of him being a choker, but he faced 3 elite defenses in the 2006 playoffs and none of his INTS were really that damaging in regarding field position and score, save for his pick 6 against New England, a game in which he was the best player on the field for and led a historically great comeback in. Simply put, Manning was unlucky. He spent his career elevating good weapons into great ones, turning good offensive lines into the best offensive lines, while making up for sub optimal run games, defenses, and coaching. His playoff losses were almost exclusively in games where he either A) Had the worse team B) His team played horribly C) He was highly unlucky to lose. And even through all of that, he has 2 Super Bowls, 4 Super Bowl Appearances, and a Super Bowl MVP, each SB Appearance with a different coach. Unfortunate events in January shouldn’t define Manning’s career more than all of his accolades and records should. He changed the position, and made it to where you could play Quarterback as effectively with your brain as you do your arm. He has more MVPS, and all pros, than anyone ever. He has the most efficient season ever (2004), and the best volume season ever (2013), both of which are in the argument for greatest QB season ever. No other player can say that they have multiple seasons that can be argued as the greatest season. Peyton Manning’s legacy, is that of someone who came into the NFL with unimaginable hype, exceeded every expectation, and became one of the greatest football players ever.

Hello again, Secret Base! I know you originally said you were gonna have episodes of Prism only until the end of September, but I think you need to make Prism a permanent series. Great job, my friends!

Manning is the smartest quarterback I've ever seen, much better than Brady imo

TRULY THE GOAT 🐐

Manning was a couple superbowls rings away from retiring as the GOAT and that’s in conjunction with Brady’s 7 rings. That’s how great he was. In his 10 seasons as a starter from 2003-13 he was literally the best quarterback in 70% of those years with 7 first team all pros and 5 MVPs with a second team all pro on top of that.

Definitely one of the best quarterback I've ever saw

It’s not just Peyton’s playoff shortcomings, but even in his wins it’s not like Peyton was dominant or had many signature moments. He only threw 4 TDs across 4superbowls to go with 5 ints. When you think about classic Manning games, really the only playoff game that comes to mind is the 07 AFC title game. Still an all time great, but the playoff losses will always be there. Had he won 2-3 more superbowls, he’d probably be seen as the undisputed goat.

I get this is a new series but can we maybe throw a beef history or a collapse in the mix?

Love prism! Literally was posted 30 secs ago lol

I love this videos because it better contextulies a player career

Peyton's career was good, but could've been better,. Way better

Peyton Manning has one man to thank for his legacy. Von Miller.

Peyton's regular season stats are undeniable, and given how rules are today, he would be throwing up 40td and 5k seasons every year now. Though in the 00's one of the reasons for Peyton/Indy's lack of success in the postseason (it is a team game) is the way the roster was constructed. Indy spent their high draft picks on offense to cater to Peyton and his mastery of that side of the ball. These picks for the most part turned out to be good picks, and helped the team coast to the postseason. However, as the saying goes - defense wins championships, and that is one of the big reasons for many of the letdowns in the playoffs for Indy. During Peyton's tenure there, Dwight Freeney was really the only plus defender they drafted in the first round. You also have to take into consideration the Tampa-2 scheme that Dungy ran during that time, that while can hold the fort in the regular season, was completely picked apart in the playoffs. Btw it is quite telling that the years that Peyton won the SB, it was the defense that carried him in those postseasons. A stark contrast to his brother that had signature plays and drives in his postseason championships, plus coming up against Tom Brady on the biggest stage. It may diminish Peyton's accomplishments as a whole, but there is no denying that he made the right play when he needed to, to get his team the win. (there's a reason he still leads the record books in comebacks/ game winning drives)

Eli Manning got the Killer Instinct that Peyton Manning didn't get.