Peyton Manning is the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts team of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Colts with the first overall selection in 1998 out of the University of Tennessee, and has been the starting quarterback ever since.

Manning is known for his ability to read defenses, call audibles, and being one of the most durable quarterbacks in the league.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/colts/2006-09-13-sw-peyton-manning_x.htmhttp://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Manning/Manning_bio.html With four MVP trophies and a host of records, Manning is already considered among the best quarterbacks in NFL history. He has one a single Super Bowl, in the 2007 season, which many people consider something of a hole in his résumé. He also played in the 2010 Super Bowl, which his Colts lost to the New Orleans Saints.

He is also one of the most marketable athletes with endorsements for DirectTV, MasterCard, Reebok, Gatorade and others.http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/46896 Most recently he has been seen in humorous television commercials for Kraft and Sony. He furthered his reputation as an acting athlete with a humorous turn on Saturday Night Live in 2007.

Peyton Manning's 2010 was one of typical success, both on the individual and team level. The Colts started the season 14-0, before resting their starters and dropping the final two games of the year. They won their first two playoff games with relative ease, and were widely favored to win the Super Bowl, but fell short against the New Orleans Saints, losing 31-17.

Manning's season was even more successful than his team's, culminating in his fourth MVP trophy. He was also selected as the started to the Pro Bowl (though he didn't play, because it was held the week before the Super Bowl) and was named to the All-Pro team. He finished the year wtih 4,500 yards passing and 33 touchdowns, as well as a 99.9 passer rating. http://www.nfl.com/players/peytonmanning/profile?id=MAN515097

Manning's father, Archie Manning played 14 seasons as a NFL quarterback from 1971-1984. When Manning was in high school he played baseball and basketball before deciding he wanted to flay football. His father was supportive of the decision, helping him refine his throwing skills.

On December 16, 2008, Manning and his brother Eli Manning became the first quarterback playing brothers to be selected to the NFL Pro Bowl in the same year. Peyton made his ninth appearance in the Pro Bowl.ESPN.com: Mannings first QB playing brothers to make same Pro Bowl (December 16, 2008) They are also the first brothers to win a Super Bowl at the quarterback position.

Manning attended and played for the University of Tennessee, where he became one of the most celebrated athletes in the history of the school. (Today, there is a street near the stadium named for Manning.) Over his four years with the Vols, he set a SEC Conference record for the most wins. He received over 20 awards including the Johnny Unitas Award in 1997, the 1997 NCAA QB of the Year Award, he was selected All-American and given the Best College Player ESPY Award in 1998.

After several highly successful seasons with the Colts, Manning played in his first Super Bowl in 2007. Manning helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears 29–17. Manning was also selected for the Super Bowl MVP.

On February 7, 2010, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts were defeated by the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. The final score was 31-17.

Peyton Manning has won a record four MVP awards, in 2003, 2004, 2009, and 2010. In none of those years has his team won the Super Bowl. One the occasion of his most recent trophy, Manning said: "I'm very humbled and grateful to be honored with this award and I really feel like it is a reflection of our team...I have to believe that starting 14-0 and having seven comeback wins has a lot to do with this award coming our way, and I'm very grateful to all the players and the coaches and our fans, who were a big part of it. There were a number of other extremely deserving candidates."http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4811050