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Peyton Manning has had several important Saturdays throughout his football career, but none compared to what was to come on April 18 for the former University of Tennessee quarterback.
Shortly after being selected, he boarded a plane headed for Indianapolis, where the team had scheduled a press conference. Manning told the Associated Press that he is looking forward to the challenge of starting his professional career with the Colts, who have both a new president and new coach in Bill Polian and Jim Mora. "I think it is an advantage. It's a new system for everybody," Manning said, adding that he isn't concerned about the pressure placed on a No. 1 draft choice. "I'm my own biggest critic." "It's all in how you perform. I plan to produce and be an asset to the Indianapolis Colts. That's my goal." Manning is eager to prepare for the NFL season, but NFL rules prohibit rookies from joining their prospective teams until June 1. The rule was established to keep seniors from dropping out of school immediately after they're selected. Manning, who graduated last May, appealed, but the NFL refused to lift the restriction. As for contract negotiations... "That's up to (Manning's agent) Tom Condon and the Colts," he said. "All I'm thinking of is learning the new system and trying to win football games." Manning didn't waste any time. From Indianapolis, he hopped on a flight for Knoxville, Tenn., where the school honored their former signal-caller by retiring his jersey. During the flight, Manning laboriously studied his new squad's playbook. Once he touched down in Tennessee, however, Manning's thoughts turned entirely to his alma mater. Manning was honored at halftime of the Volunteers' spring scrimmage at Neyland Stadium, and his No. 16 was retired during the ceremony. "I know there are people all over the country who don't realize why I'm standing here on the night I realized my dream of going to the NFL," a nostalgic Manning told fans. "It's because they have never been in this great place." Manning also presented incoming freshman Jay Steven Burns with the inaugural Peyton Manning Scholarship. Burns hails from Bulls Gap, Tenn. And when his hectic day was finally over, Manning best put the events of April 18 into perspective. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article A Day In The Life Of Peyton Manning in NCAA College Football is owned by . Permission to republish A Day In The Life Of Peyton Manning in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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