National Football League

Peyton Manning jokes, chokes up during retirement remarks

Published Mar. 7, 2016 7:09 p.m. ET

foxsports

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) His voice cracking with emotion, Peyton Manning said good bye to the game he loved at a news conference packed with friends, family and laughter.

He threw in some Scripture, some fond memories and even a dig at Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller, whom he thanked for taking a break ''from your celebrity tour to be here today.''

He ended it with his signature ''Omaha!'' and then posed for pictures with more than a dozen of his former teammates with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, each of whom he helped win a Super Bowl.

Manning, who turns 40 this month, said the timing was simply right to call an end to his 18-year NFL career.

''I thought about it a lot, prayed about it a lot ... it was just the right time,'' Manning said. ''I don't throw as good as I used to, don't run as good as I used to, but I have always have had good timing.''

He came to Denver on March 20, 2012, for the chance to win another title in the twilight of his career and GM John Elway had the blueprints.

Four years later, he hobbles away a champion just like his boss did 17 years ago.