One of the best quarterbacks in football history, Peyton Manning, who was selected first overall in the 1999 NFL Draft, made two points very evident on Thursday afternoon. One: Being selected first overall is a “tremendous honour.” Additionally, you are heading to a squad “that has earned it” as the overall No. 1. Speaking to a gathering of more than 900 people at the Charlotte Touchdown Club speaker series held at the Sheraton Hotel, Manning shared that his first year was difficult. Before talking about the record he owns that still appears untouchable, the NFL Hall of Famer reminded the group that the Colts went 3-13 in his first season, losing more games in one NFL season than he did in both high school and college combined. “I set an NFL rookie record for interceptions, a record I still hold today,” he said, beaming with faux pride. He then chuckled. “It’s actually very hard to do. If you can throw three interceptions in your first game, four in your second game, three in your third — I mean, you get 10 early? Man, you really have a chance.” Before the season’s end Manning had thrown 28 picks, followed by 23 the next season.
lecture series presented by Touchdown Club. Before talking about the record he owns that still appears untouchable, the NFL Hall of Famer reminded the group that the Colts went 3-13 in his first season, losing more games in one NFL season than he did in both high school and college combined. With a false sense of pride, he declared, “I set an NFL rookie record for interceptions, a record I still hold today.” And with that, he laughed. It’s genuinely quite difficult to do. You get 10 early if you can throw three interceptions in your first game, four in your second, and three in your third. You actually do have a chance, man. Manning threw 28 picks before the season ended and 23 more the next year. Manning Peyton
talks on Thursday, April 25, 2024, during the Charlotte Touchdown Club speaker series luncheon at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel. Melissa Melvin-(mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com) Rodriguez Without a sure, Manning’s tale of his rookie year challenges is inspirational, especially when combined with his Hall of Fame 18-year, two-time Super Bowl winning career. It’s also one that 2023 first overall selection Bryce Young, who struggled as a rookie quarterback last season, and Carolina Panthers supporters may find instructive. The Panthers had “earned” their No. 1 overall pick in 1999, just as the Colts did. Carolina’s 2022 season wasn’t the worst in the league because of their overachievement when Steve Wilks took over as interim coach and the team a Tom-Brady-explosion away from the playoffs — but they traded away a bunch of draft capital and playmakers to get in the position to pick Young in 2023. Just like Manning, Young hadn’t truly experienced losing before coming into the NFL. Beyond the fringe naysayers questioning Young’s 5-foot-10 frame and durability — of the same ilk that questioned Manning’s athleticism and arm strength years ago — it’s tough to pinpoint when Young had encountered true doubt. He was a star in high school and a juggernaut in college, fit with Heisman Trophy glory and the kind of team success that comes with being the quarterback of a Nick Saban-led Alabama team.
