Peyton Manning gone but leaves behind legacy in Indianapolis to remind Colts of him-NFL News
Indianapolis Colts’ former quarterback, Peyton Manning, has left the city following his release by the team, but his legacy remains there, at least his mural on the side of Lucas Oil Stadium proves this.
When the player was released on March 07, 2012, it was seen as most likely that the large mural, which was displayed to highlight the player’s significance to the team and city of Indianapolis during the Super Bowl week, will be taken down.
The mural placement was justified then because Peyton was still a Colt and there were certain hopes among the fans that he would remain so for more seasons to come. They little knew that was not the case for the owner, Jim Irsay, at least.
Now the player is gone, but the mural is very much there, in fact with an added big ‘Thank You, Peyton’ ribbon. This reflects that a person can be moved around and parted ways with forever, but it is too difficult to eliminate his legacy.
It is not just the mural that is keeping the glorious past of Peyton Manning alive, but the fans, who remember the player by heart and mind more than any picture or statue can depict or remind of.
Why should not be so when the player is the most successful part of Colts in the history of the franchise? He has just not played football for them, but broke all the previous records, and took them to new heights in the professional league and set unmatchable
standards for his successors.
Even Irsay, who pointed out the financial problems to be the main reason behind letting the living legend go somewhere else, is very much considerate of the player’s stature and rightly retired the no. 18 jersey to honour him.
The player himself has remained loyal to the fans and respectful of their wishes, and until the very end, wanted to extend his stay with Colts. Now, with that opportunity being over, he still remains respectful of the fans’ admiration and acknowledges that
every now and then.
After all, it was the long 14-year relationship between the player and fans, and all those years are full of success, milestone achievements and records. So it should not be easy for either the fans or the player to vanish all those memories so quickly.
Even those, who have parted ways with the team while the player still held the hopes of his return, have come to praise Manning’s contribution towards building Colts to be consistent winners in the league.
Ex-Colts’ vice chairman, Bill Polian, is notable amongst all. He is ever popular figure among the player’s well wishers. He has come to his rescue and backing more than any other member of the football community.
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