Peyton Manning deserves a break

If you live in Indiana and are a football fan, two words come to mind today: Thanks, Peyton.
With his 40th birthday on the horizon, the longtime Indianapolis Colts quarterback, who most recently led the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl victory, announced his retirement from professional football Monday.
Any student of the game has to be sorry to see him go.
Few other — perhaps no other — quarterbacks had as great an understanding of football. His performance on the field depended not only on great physical prowess but also on intelligence, shrewdness, tactical shifts and an ability to identify his opponent’s weaknesses and capitalize upon them.
But even though fans are sorry to see him go, everyone knew it was time.
Some gave up on Peyton Manning when he moved from the Colts to the Broncos. Some gave up after that, when it became clear his body was beginning to let him down and was unable to perform at the level it had during his prime.
But most Colts fans, we suspect, continued to be Peyton fans even after his career took him out of the Hoosier state.
And many continued to worry about him.
After injuries and neck surgery, there was always the potential that his career might end with a hushed stadium, medics on the field and the quarterback leaving on a stretcher.
Today’s announcement and the Broncos’ Super Bowl win provide the best of endings for an outstanding athletic career. Going out a winner and going out healthy add up to a great combination.
So, thanks Peyton. You’ve given us reason to cheer for a long time now. It’s time to take a break. — J.R.