Andrew Luck Gets Win In Peyton Manning's Return To Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) If Peyton Manning wanted a preview of what retirement might look and feel like, the Indianapolis Colts wholesale nfl jerseys gave him a brief glimpse Sunday night.
That ceremony turned out to be about the only bit of hospitality his former team extended, handing Manning and the previously unbeaten Denver Broncos a 39 33 defeat.
Before the game, though, it was a different story. More than 67,000 Colts fans got to their feet before kickoff to salute the player who brought the city a Super Bowl and more during his cheap nfl jerseys 14 years here.
What began as boos for the Broncos quickly turned to cheers once Manning was spotted coming out of the tunnel. The roar inside Lucas Oil Stadium built in no small part thanks to Manning's contributions to the Colts' franchise built steadily for much of a 90 second highlight reel of Manning's career in Indianapolis.
The 37 year old quarterback acknowledged the cheers while standing along the visitors' sideline. He took off his helmet and turned to face the different sections, grinning sheepishly and waving on occasion.
Manning was treated to one other pregame cheer when he popped up on the stadium's giant video board during the national anthem.
There were concerns that the Colts, who drafted Manning in 1998, might give him too lavish a welcome back, the kind of tribute usually reserved for departing hometown heroes rather than opposing quarterbacks. But some of the warmth came off the reception when Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay suggested in an interview last week that for all the winning Manning's tenure included the Colts won eight division titles and two AFC crowns there should have been more than one Super Bowl.
Some in the crowd appeared to have moved on as well. For the all No. 18 Manning Colts jerseys pulled out of mothballs, there were plenty of fans backing his successor, Andrew Luck, with No. 12 jerseys. And then there were the signs:
"I'd rather have a Cheap Jerseys From CHINA young Colt than an old Bronco," read one.
"12 is the new 18," read another.
Small wonder that Luck has become an instant hit in Indy. He out dueled Manning in this game, throwing three touchdowns and running for another.
Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James and Jeff Saturday, three of Manning's former teammates and key offensive contributors, also got rousing welcomes during pregame introductions.
Andrew LuckIndianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) spike the ball as he celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Eddie LacyFans celebrate with Green Bay Packers' Eddie Lacy after his touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. Green, left, and Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson exchange jerseys after their NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Detroit. Cincinnati beat Detroit 27 24. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Brandon Gibson, Aaron Williams, Da'Norris SearcyMiami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Gibson (10) jumps over Buffalo Bills free safety Aaron Williams (23) and strong safety Da'Norris Searcy (25) for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Peyton ManningDenver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) waves to the fans before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Austin Pettis, Josh ThomasSt. 20, 2013. Pettis was ruled out of bounds on the play. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Green Bay Packers fan Jim Zanon tailgates before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Matthew StaffordDetroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Colin Kaepernick, Bernard PollardSan Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) beats Tennessee Titans safety Bernard Pollard (31) to the goal line as Kaepernick scores a touchdown on a 20 yard run in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Ben Roethlisberger, Brandon WilliamsPittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams (98) in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cam Newton, Robert QuinnCarolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) is sacked by St. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Lardarius Webb, Heath MillerBaltimore Ravens linebacker Daryl Smith, left, knocks the ball from Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (83) for a fumble in the second quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct 20, 2013. The Ravens recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Fred JacksonBuffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (22) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Peyton Manning, Robert MathisDenver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) loses the ball as Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis (98) tackles him during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Indianapolis. The officials ruled a safety on the play. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Vinny CurryPhiladelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry celebrates after sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Tony Romo, Vinny CurryDallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry (75) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)