Jim Irsay on Peyton Manning: "I am proud and thankful for all he's done for the Colts"

Former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is announcing his retirement after 18 incredible seasons.  The Denver Broncos confirmed the move, while Manning will hold a press conference on Monday afternoon.

In the hours following Manning's retirement announcement, many have talked about how the Colts will honor the best player to wear the horseshoe.  Ring of Honor is a given, and owner Jim Irsay has already said that Manning's number 18 jersey won't be worn again by a Colts player.  A statue of Manning outside of Lucas Oil Stadium (nicknamed "the House that Manning Built) and possibly a street named after him makes sense, too.  Regardless of how the Colts do honor Manning, though, it's clear that he'll be remembered as the best and most influential to play for the Colts.

"Few have left their marks on a sport as Peyton Manning has," Jim Irsay said in a statement released by the team Sunday afternoon.  "Simply put, he revolutionized NFL football.  Peyton energized it as had no one before him, he made it more fun for our fans, and made the game better.

"Off the field, Peyton has been a tremendous ambassador for the game and the epitome of someone who gives back to the community.  He is the most recognizable face in the history of the NFL, and perhaps its most popular.

"I will miss seeing #18 on the field on Sundays and I am proud and thankful for all he’s done for the Colts, our community, and the NFL.  On behalf of Colts and NFL fans worldwide, I thank Peyton and congratulate him on an incredible career."

Manning spent 14 years in Indianapolis and played in 208 games with the Colts, completing 64.9% of his passes for 54,828 yards (7.6 yards per attempt), 399 touchdowns, and 198 interceptions for a passer rating of 94.9.  He owns nearly every Colts franchise passing record and had an immeasurable impact on the franchise and the city, as he helped take one of the NFL's routine basement-dwellers and turn them into a perennial contender.

Peyton Manning's impact on the Colts and the city of Indianapolis is hard to quantify, as he's had an incredible impact and an incredible career.