Peyton Manning named to the SEC Football Legends Class

Twenty-five years after leading Tennessee to the SEC championship, Manning was named to the 2022 Southeastern Conference Football Legends class.

By Paris McGee Jr.

Atlanta, Georgia - Twenty-five years after leading the Tennessee Volunteers to the SEC championship, NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning was named to the 2022 Southeastern Conference Football Legends class, the league announced on Thursday.

Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium.
Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium.  © Patrick Smith / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Manning heads the legends class of 14 former SEC superstars who excelled on the gridiron and helped rewrite history of college football at their schools.

The newest members will be honored during the 2022 SEC Football Weekend of Champions on December 2-3 in Atlanta.

The celebration will include a ceremony on December 2 at the College Football Hall of Fame, followed by recognition ahead of the SEC Football Championship Game the next day.

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During his time as a Volunteer, Manning guided Tennessee to four consecutive bowl games, three top 10 national rankings, and the 1997 SEC championship along with personal MVP honors.

Manning completed his college career with a massive 42 NCAA, SEC, and Tennessee program records.

He still holds school records for most wins by a starting quarterback (39), passing yards (11,201), touchdown passes (89), total touchdowns (101, 89 passing – 12 rushing), and more.

Peyton Manning's legacy beyond Tennessee football

Peyton Manning speaks to the crowd during a Ring of Honor induction ceremony at halftime of the game between the Washington Football Team and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High.
Peyton Manning speaks to the crowd during a Ring of Honor induction ceremony at halftime of the game between the Washington Football Team and Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High.  © Justin Edmonds / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Following his stellar college career, Manning became the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, and quickly established himself as one of the greatest players in the league's history.

During 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and four under the Denver Broncos, the 46-year-old became the first starting quarterback in history to win a Super Bowl with multiple franchises and still remains the only player in the league to win MVP honors five times.

Off the field, Manning has received a number of honors for his philanthropic work.

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At the University of Tennessee, he endows the Peyton Manning Scholarship that awards four-year scholarships to four incoming freshmen each year.

In 2020, Manning founded Omaha Productions, which launched Manningcast, an alternate live television broadcast to ESPN's Monday Night Football hosted by Peyton and his NFL legend brother, Eli Manning.

Eli will join his older brother Peyton as a member of this year's SEC legends class representing Ole Miss.

Cover photo: Justin Edmonds / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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