Randy Smith: The Sheriff Is Still Making People Better

If there was any doubt as to why Peyton Manning is a "for real" Pro Football Hall of Famer, his acceptance speech on Sunday night was all the proof needed. While some of the other inductees' speeches dealt with the past, Peyton's dealt with the future...the future of football and sports in general. Anyone who really knows Peyton understands completely what he intended. It's almost as if he heard every speech ever given at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and decided, "I can do much better."

The event held in Canton, Ohio was really unique because in 2020, there was no induction ceremony at all due to the pandemic. So both the 2020 and 2021 classes were inducted over two nights this past weekend. Peyton was presented for induction by his dad, Archie Manning, and that was expected by everyone. What wasn't expected was the tremendous speech he gave in accepting his amazing honor. There was no rambling...no stumbling and he stayed on point. It was like his speech was put together just as if he was planning to face Tom Brady and the Patriots in a big playoff game.  By the way, the fact that Brady was in attendance was more of a distraction than anything else on Peyton's big night. 

The legend of Peyton Manning began while he was being recruited by every school in the country. He chose Tennessee over his dad's alma mater, Ole Miss, and he set practically every school passing record there was. After his junior season, he captured the hearts of all Big Orange fans by turning his back on the NFL draft and choosing to return to Tennessee for his senior season. He led the Vols to the 1997 SEC Championship and a spot opposite eventual national champ Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Peyton was the number one choice in the NFL draft, taken by the Indianapolis Colts. After going 3-13 in his rookie season, the Colts went 13-3 the following season and were a playoff team practically every season after that. He led the Colts to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, winning one in 2006.

He did the same thing at Denver after missing the entire 2011 season due to a serious neck injury. After being released by the Colts he signed with the Broncos and in four seasons took them to a pair of Super Bowls, winning in 2015 in his final game. When the book closed on his fabulous career he owned most of the single season and career NFL passing records. He was a shoo in for first ballot induction into the Hall of Fame and on Sunday evening, that became a reality. 

So, as he delivered his wonderful acceptance speech, those who heard it were inspired to do wonderful things which was exactly what Peyton had in mind. Inspiring his teammates to make them better is what he was known for as a professional player. He made everyone around him better. And even though he's been retired for more than five years, that's still what he does best.