SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The last time the world saw John Elway in a Broncos uniform, he was facing the stands, both hands aloft, holding his helmet in his left hand, and his right hand clenched into a tight, celebratory fist. He flashed that toothy smile, knowing that a few minutes later, he would be cradling his second Super Bowl trophy.
He went out on top. No matter what happened after that — and Elway has gone on to accomplish plenty — his last meaningful moments on a football field had resulted in a victory in the biggest game of all.
“It’s a very nice thing to have,” Elway said this week, “knowing you can always look back and have a real positive thought.”
Now, Elway runs the team he used to play for. In 2012, he signed Peyton Manning, who, at 39, is even older than Elway was when he played his last game in 1999.
And now, it’s Manning who could be taking that same walk into the sunset as Elway did. He has a chance to win his second Super Bowl, peel off his white Broncos jersey and never come back.
By the accounts of both men, the topic of Manning’s retirement has not been broached.
It’s hard to think those conversations won’t pick up steam over the next few weeks.
Manning has already told Patriots coach Bill Belichick, in a not-so-private exchange at midfield two weeks ago, that this might be his last rodeo. He has refused to expand on that, keeping with the theme that he’s soaking in every moment, and he’ll worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.
“We haven’t talked about anything past Sunday,” said Manning’s brother, Eli. “We kept it on this week, the last few weeks, but nothing past the game.”
When the game is over, Peyton will have an all-star lineup from which to glean advice. It includes Eli, of course; their father, Archie, who spent 14 years in the NFL; their brother, Cooper, who has long been one of Peyton’s best sounding boards. And Elway. Chances are, Manning will be seeking what Elway sought when he went to his father, Jack, a longtime scout and personnel man, after the second Super Bowl title.
“I feel I can still move the chains,” Manning said. “Maybe in different ways. It’s being able to adjust.”
If he leads Denver to a victory against Carolina on Sunday, Manning’s ability to set aside the glow of winning the title, and to listen to candid advice, will set the framework for his decision. His inner-circle’s ability to give it to him straight will be every bit as important for the quarterback, whose contract extends through next year.
Odds are, he’ll take a brief break after the Super Bowl, then decide if he’s ready to walk away from it all.