No NFL figure is more closely tied to the career of Peyton Manning than Tom Brady, the Patriots star who did battle with the now former Broncos and Colts quarterback 17 times in the regular season and playoffs from 2001 through 2016.
On Sunday morning, following news of Manning's impending retirement, Brady took to Facebook to share his thoughts on the end of a legendary career -- and rivalry.
Brady wrote: "Congratulations Peyton, on an incredible career. You changed the game forever and made everyone around you better. It's been an honor."
"What just happened, winning the Super Bowl in his last game, is a perfect way to end a career," Brady later told The MMQB's Peter King in a story published Monday morning.
"But what he's accomplished through all these years, what makes it so admirable, is the pressure he's had on him his whole life. He was the highest-rated recruit in high school. He was the biggest quarterback in college football. He was the first pick in the draft. Who has lived up to the expectations year after year after year as well as Peyton? He's done it so gracefully, so admirably. He set the standard for how to play the quarterback position."
Brady won 11 of the 17 head-to-head matchups with Manning in the regular season and playoffs, though Manning had a 3-2 edge in the postseason (Manning's teams won each of the final three meetings). The five playoff showdowns represent the most by two quarterbacks in NFL history.
The two passers won't go into the Hall of Fame together, but it would be great if they delivered each other's induction speech. Make it happen, boys!