The Indianapolis Colts officially retired the number 18 jersey worn by quarterback Peyton Manning in 14 illustrious seasons with the NFL club.

The ceremony honoring Manning came at half-time of the Colts' home game on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

A day earlier, Manning was honored with a life-sized statue outside the Colts' Lucas Oil Stadium.

"It has been not a very good kept secret around here, but no one is ever going to wear this jersey again," owner Jim Irsay said. "Ever, ever."

Manning, the number one overall selection in the 1998 draft, joined 12 other former Colts -- including his former coach Tony Dungy and former general manager Bill Polian -- in the team's Ring of Honor.

Manning led the Colts to the playoffs 11 times and to the Super Bowl twice, winning one championship while earning five Most Valuable Player awards.

"I'm here today because of a bunch of coaches and teammates I came across here almost 20 years ago to try to win a lot of football games," Manning told the crowd at the stadium. "We accomplished those goals."

Earlier Sunday morning, Manning spoke to former Colts teammate and NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk about the honor.

"Great memories being back here, Marshall," Manning said on NFL Network. "It's hard to believe it has been, like you said, almost 20 years (since my NFL debut). But the relationships with teammates, the fans and coaches -- being back here brings back those great memories.

"This was a great place to play football. These people love football. So the fans were part of our journey. They were right there with us. I'm very grateful and humbled by Jim Irsay's gesture."

The Colts released Manning in 2012, after he missed all of the 2011 season with a neck injury.

He signed with Denver and capped the 2015 season -- his final NFL campaign -- by winning a second Super Bowl title with the Broncos.

Source: AFP