TENNESSEE VOLS FOOTBALL: 'The Sheriff' was one of the best of all time

Before perfecting his product pitch, Peyton Manning posted numbers as one of the most statistically accomplished quarterbacks in Tennessee football history. 

Born in the bicentennial near the banks of the Mississippi in New Orleans, La., Manning quickly found a starring role at UT during his freshman year: an early-season injury sidelined starter Jerry Colquitt, positioning Manning to helm the Vols’ offense.

It didn't take long for Manning to be given the nickname, "The Sheriff."  

In the 1995–1996 season, Manning led Tennessee to a 11-1 record and Citrus Bowl victory, with The Crescent City kid earning First-Team All-SEC honors. 

The following year, Tennessee returned to the Citrus Bowl carrying a 10-2 record and squeezed Northwestern for the repeat title. Manning again earned First-Team All-SEC designation.

Forgoing the NFL draft for a senior season at UT, Manning and the Vols finished 11-2 and snuffed Syracuse in the Orange Bowl. Manning topped end-of-year short lists, snagging the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.  Standout cornerback and wide receiver Charles Woodson ultimately dimmed Manning’s shot at the Heisman Trophy that year, the quarterback finishing second. 

Hardware aside, the admiration of UT Hall of Famer Philip Fulmer may carry more weight than any one award.

“Peyton Manning is one of the greatest players in NFL and college football history,” Fulmer, Manning’s coach of four years, said. “His fantastic work ethic, desire to prepare, intelligence, recall, recognition and in-the-moment reaction to defensive schemes or techniques are well documented. Those are all Hall of Fame traits.”

Manning became Tennessee’s career leader in passing yards, pass completions, passing touchdowns and total offense at the time he graduated. 

He was selected first in the 1998 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, where he spent 14 seasons and clinched a Super Bowl XLI win prior to his final four in Denver, including a Super Bowl 50 swan song victory.

Manning was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (2017) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2021).