by Mark Kiszla
Eddie Pells, national writer for the Associated Press, interviewed Archie Manning for the details of a cross-country hunting trip by his son after the Broncos season. The story was published January 19, 2013.
Chapter 9
Peter King, “Peyton Manning’s Long Game,” in the April 2, 2012, edition of Sports Illustrated was the source of the anecdote regarding the anniversary well wishes sent Mr. and Mrs. Manning during the Broncos’ recruitment of the veteran quarterback.
Gary Dulac reported on John Fox’s NFL roots in a story published December 23, 2010: “Panthers’ Fox learned from Steelers’ Noll” in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Mike Klis, “Denver Broncos Coach John Fox Has Different Way Motivating Players,” noted the coach’s fondness for military literature in a feature published November 11, 2012, by the Denver Post.
Chapter 10
David Climer wrote a profile of Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee, “Just One of the Guys,” Sporting News, August 18, 1997.
Cover story “Colorado Is No. 1” described quarterback John Hessler’s relationship with coach Rick Neuheisel, by Terry Frei, Sporting News, August 18, 1997.
Chapter 12
Mark Alesia reported live from New York, as an eyewitness to Peyton Manning’s shot as guest host of Saturday Night Live in stories written for the Indianapolis Star and published March 27, 2007.
Ryan McGee recounted the anecdote of Peyton Manning schooling rookie tight end Dallas Clark in “Help Me Help You,” published August 25, 2012, by ESPN the Magazine.
Gray Caldwell, “Prater-Beadles Not Quite Montana-Rice,” September 30, 2012, DenverBroncos.com.
Andy Fenelon, “Peyton Manning Roasts Players in Pro Bowl Address,” January 23, 2013, NFL.com.
Chapter 13
Arnie Stapleton, “Read Option Is Back in NFL and Better Than Ever,” Associated Press, December 4, 2012.
Mike Klis interviewed NFL historian Gil Brandt for “NFL’s Read-Option Offense Has Become Super Bowl Relevant,” published February 3, 2013, in the Denver Post.
Dan Graziano, “Tomlin Not a Believer in Read Option,” posted March 20, 2013, on ESPN.com.
Chapter 14
Colin Shattuck, “This Whole Manning Thing Doesn’t Feel Right,” posted August 15, 2012, by southstandsdenver.com.
Stefan Fatsis, “Peyton Manning Is a Genius. He’s Also a Pain in the Ass,” February 4, 2010, Slate magazine.
Chapter 15
Ryan Parker reported on Michael Hancock’s playoff wager with the city of Baltimore, “Injured Denver Mayor Puts Off Ray Lewis Dance to Pay Off Broncos Bet” in the Denver Post, January 15, 2013.
Mike Burrows, a copy editor at the Denver Post, compiled the weird similarities in two playoff defeats, which were detailed in “Amazing Comparisons between Broncos Stunning Losses to Jacksonville & Baltimore,” a blog posted by Mike Klis on January 13, 2013.
Chapter 17
Jeff Zrebiec and Aaron Wilson reported the introduction of Elvis Dumervil as a Baltimore Ravens player in “Dumervil on Joining Ravens: ‘It Was Time to Change the Scenery,’” published March 26, 2013, in the Baltimore Sun.
New England quarterback Tom Brady’s quote of appreciation for Wes Welker appeared in “5 Memories from Wes Welker’s Patriots Tenure,” compiled by the Boston Globe staff and published March 13, 2013.
Christopher L. Gasper described the falling-out between New England and its star receiver in “Patriots to Blame for Loss of Wes Welker,” Boston Globe, March 14, 2013.
Michael Silver reported the disappointment of New England’s quarterback about the departure of Welker in “Tom Brady Should Feel Burned by Patriots Passing on Wes Welker for Danny Amendola,” Yahoo! Sports, March 13, 2013.
Chapter 18
Mike Klis, “Peyton Manning Talks Broncos Upset, Looks toward New York Super Bowl,” posted January 13, 2013, on denverpost.com.
The Scoreboard for the Denver Broncos 2012 Season
Score: Broncos 31, Pittsburgh 19
Date: Sunday, September 9, 2012
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Denver Post headline: MANNING UP
The Manning stat line: 19-26, 253 yards, 2 TDs, 0 interceptions
Highlight: Cornerback Tracy Porter’s interception return seals victory
Score: Atlanta 27, Broncos 21
Date: Monday, September 17, 2012
Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Denver Post headline: GOING SOUTH
The Manning stat line: 24-37, 241 yards, 1 TD, 3 interceptions
Highlight: Broncos unable to clean up mess of early turnovers
Score: Houston 31, Broncos 25
Date: Sunday, September 23, 2012
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Denver Post headline: OFF THE MARK
The Manning stat line: 26-52, 330 yards, 2 TDs, 0 interceptions
Highlight: Broncos can’t block Texans defensive lineman J. J. Watt
Score: Broncos 37, Oakland 6
Date: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Denver Post headline: UNLEASHED
The Manning stat line: 30-38, 338 yards, 3 TDs, 0 interceptions
Highlight: Running back Willis McGahee leads 165-yard rushing attack
Score: New England 31, Broncos 21
Date: Sunday, October 7, 2012
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
Denver Post headline: SPEED BUMP
The Manning stat line: 31-44, 337 yards, 3 TDs, 0 interceptions
Highlight: Tom Brady’s record vs. Peyton Manning improves to 9-4
Score: Broncos 35, San Diego 24
Date: Monday, October 15, 2012
Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Denver Post headline: ALL THE WAY!
The Manning stat line: 24-30, 309 yards, 3 TDs, 1 interception
Highlight: Denver storms back from 24-0 halftime deficit on road
Score: Broncos 34, New Orleans 14
Date: Sunday, October 28, 2012
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Denver Post headline: EASY BREEZY
The Manning stat line: 22-30, 305 yards, 3 TDs, 0 interceptions
Highlight: Denver steamrolls Saints with 530 yards of offense
Score: Broncos 31, Cincinnati 23
Date: Sunday, November 4, 2012
Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Denver Post headline: COOL CUSTOMERS
The Manning stat line: 27-35, 291 yards, 3 TDs, 2 interceptions
Highlight: Linebacker Von Miller sacks QB Andy Dalton three times
Score: Broncos 36, Carolina 14
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Denver Post headline: CAM SLAM
The Manning stat line: 27-38, 301 yards, 1 TD, 0 interceptions
Highlight: Real “Superman” in house is Von Miller, not QB Cam Newton
Score: Broncos 30, San Diego 23
Date: Sunday, November 18, 2012
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Denver Post headline: RUNAWAY
The Manning stat line: 25-42, 270 yards, 3 TDs, 1 interception
Highlight: Denver opens daunting three-game lead in AFC West
Score: Broncos 17, Kansas City 9
Date: Sunday, November 25, 2012
Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Denver Post headline: PRETTY UGLY
The Manning stat line: 22-37, 285 yards, 2 TDs, 1 interception
Highlight: Quarterback Peyton Manning takes licking, keeps on ticking
Score: Broncos 31, Tampa Bay 23
Date: Sunday, December 2, 2012
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Denver Post headline: WEST’S BEST
The Manning stat line: 27-38, 242 yards, 3 TDs, 1 interception
Highlight: Denver clinches AFC West division title, playoff berth
Score: Broncos 26, Oakland 13
Date: Thursday, December 6, 2012
Location: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, CA.
Denver Post headline: STAR POWER
The Manning stat line: 26-36, 310 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception
Highlight: Cornerback Champ Bailey records 52nd career interception
Score: Broncos 34, Baltimore 17
Date: Sunday, December 16, 2012
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
Denver Post headline: SPRINT TO FINISH
The Manning stat line: 17-28, 204 yards, 1 TD, 0 interceptions
Highlight: 98-yard interception return by cornerback Chris Harris ignites rout
Score: Broncos 34, Cleveland 12
Date: Sunday, December 23, 2012
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Denver Post headline: HO, HO, HO-HUM
The Manning stat line: 30-43, 339 yards, 3 TDs, 1 interception
Highlight: Linebacker Von Miller breaks franchise record for most sacks in season
Score: Broncos 38, Kansas City 3
Date: Sunday, December 30, 2012
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Denver Post headline: SUPER SETUP
The Manning stat line: 23-29, 304 yards, 3 TDs, 0 interceptions
Highlight: Denver takes 11-game winning streak, top AFC seed into playoffs
Score: Baltimore 38, Broncos 35, 2OT
Date: Sunday, January 12, 2012
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Denver Post headline: DEEP FREEZE
The Manning stat line: 28-43, 290 yards, 3 TDs, 2 interceptions
Highlight: Super Bowl dream ends after three Peyton Manning turnovers
Index
A
Allen, Jared, 1
Allen, Woody, 1
Alstott, Mike, 1
Antonopulos, Steve, 1
Armstrong, Lance, 1 , 2
Atlanta Falcons, 1
Avril, Cliff, 1
Ayers, Robert, 1
B
Bailey, Champ, 1 , 2 , 3 , 4.1-4.2 , 5 , 6 , 7
Baltimore Colts, 1.1-1.2
Baltimore Ravens, 1 , 2 , 3.1-3.2 , 4.1-4.2 , 5 , 6.1-6.2 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10.1-10.2
Bannan, Justin, 1 , 2.1-2.2
Barber, Marion, 1
Barkley, Matt, 1
Batman television show, 1.1-1.2
Battista, Judy, 1
Beadles, Zane, 1.1-1.2
Belichick, Bill, 1 , 2.1-2.2 , 3
Belushi, John, 1
Bierstadt, Albert, 1.1-1.2
Bindel, Sarah, 1.1-1.2 , 2 , 3
Bissinger, H. G., 1
Black, Ahmad, 1
Boldin, Anquan, 1.1-1.2
Boston Globe, 1
Bowlen, Pat, 1.1-1.2 , 2.1-2.2 , 3.1-3.2 , 4.1-4.2 , 5 , 6
Bradley, Stewart, 1
Bradshaw, Terry, 1 , 2
Brady, Tom, 1.1-1.2 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7.1-7.2
Brandt, Gil, 1
Brees, Drew, 1
Broncos fans buying profane T-shirts, 1.1-1.2
devotion to Tim Tebow, 1.1-1.2 , 2.1-2.2
doing wave at stadium, 1.1-1.2
enraged by Peyton Manning signing, 1.1-1.2
love of the NFL in Denver, 1.1-1.2
riding mass transportation to home games, 1.1-1.2
Brooking, Keith, 1
Brown, Jim, 1
Brown, Paul, 1
Brunell, Mark, 1
Buckner, Bill, 1
Bull Durham, 1
Bündchen, Gisele, 1
Burns, Peter, 1
Burrows, Mike, 1
C
Caddyshack, 1
Carlson, Dan, 1.1-1.2
Carolina Panthers, 1.1-1.2 , 2 , 3
Carson, Johnny, 1
Carter, Tony, 1 , 2
Cavnar, Jenny, 1.1-1.2
Cézanne, Paul, 1
Charles, Jamaal, 1.1-1.2
Chicago Bears, 1 , 2
Chicago Cubs, 1
Clady, Ryan, 1 , 2
Clark, Dallas, 1.1-1.2
Clark-Martinez, Jeremiah, 1.1-1.2
Cleveland Browns, 1.1-1.2
Climer, David, 1
Colorado Rockies, 1 , 2 , 3.1-3.2 , 4 , 5 , 6
Colquitt, Britton, 1.1-1.2
Colquitt, Dustin, 1.1-1.2
Colquitt, Jerry, 1.1-1.2
Columbine High School, 1
Condon, Tom, 1
Coolidge, Fred, 1.1-1.2
Cutcliffe, David, 1
D
Dallas Cowboys, 1
Darwin, Charles, 1.1-1.2
David, Lavonte, 1
Davis, Bette, 1
Davis, Mouse, 1
Davis, Terrell, 1
Dawkins, Brian, 1 , 2
Dawson, Phil, 1.1-1.2
Decker, Eric, 1.1-1.2 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5.1-5.2 , 6.1-6.2
Delhomme, Jake, 1
Denver Post employer of Mark Kiszla, 1 , 2
poll on Peyton Manning’s signing, 1
response by John Fox to column, 1
See also Klis, Mike See also Paige, Woody
Dickerson, Eric, 1.1-1.2
Dierdorf, Dan, 1
Dreesen, Joel, 1
Duke University, 1.1-1.2 , 2 , 3
Dulac, Gary, 1
Dumervil, Elvis, 1 , 2 , 3.1-3.2 , 4.1-4.2
Dungy, Tony, 1
Dupree, Marcus, 1
E
Einstein, Albert, 1.1-1.2
Ellis, Joe, 1.1-1.2 , 2.1-2.2
Elway, Jack, 1 , 2.1-2.2 , 3
Elway, John car dealership success, 1.1-1.2
concerns about Peyton Manning’s health, 1.1-1.2
contract snafu with Elvis Dumervil, 1.1-1.2
explains Manning’s biggest challenge with new team, 1.1-1.2
fans angered by Manning signing, 1.1-1.2
first discussion of acquiring Manning, 1.1-1.2
friendship with Manning, 1 , 2.1-2.2
immortalized by “The Drive”, 1.1-1.2
lofty goal for Manning, 1 , 2.1-2.2
love of football, 1
middle-age crisis, 1 , 2.1-2.2 , 3
negotiations with Manning, 1.1-1.2
No Plan B, 1.1-1.2 , 2
philosophy of running NFL franchise, 1.1-1.2
refusal to play for Baltimore Colts, 1.1-1.2
relationship with Tim Tebow, 1
scouting Manning at Duke University, 1.1-1.2
Super Bowl victories as quarterback, 1 , 2.1-2.2
ESPN, 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
ESPN the Magazine, 1 , 2
F
Farmer, Carlos, 1.1-1.2
Fatsis, Stefan, 1.1-1.2
Faulk, Marshall, 1.1-1.2 , 2.1-2.2
Favre, Brett, 1
Feinstein, John, 1
Fenelon, Andy, 1
Flacco, Joe, 1 , 2 , 3.1-3.2 , 4 , 5
Flair, Ric, 1.1-1.2
Flynn, Matt, 1
Fox, John adjusting offense for Tim Tebow, 1.1-1.2
contract to coach Broncos, 1
development of the read-option offense, 1.1-1.2
empowering players to lead team, 1.1-1.2 , 2.1-2.2
explains strategy in loss to Baltimore, 1 , 2.1-2.2
low-key personality as coach, 1.1-1.2
military’s influence on his coaching, 1.1-1.2 , 2.1-2.2
reasons John Elway hired him, 1.1-1.2
role in recruiting Peyton Manning, 1.1-1.2
warning of slow start to 2012 season, 1
Franklin, Missy, 1
Freeman, Mike, 1
Frei, Jerry, 1.1-1.2
Frei, Terry, 1
Friedman, Jon, 1.1-1.2
Fulmer, Phillip, 1.1-1.2 , 2
G
Gase, Adam, 1.1-1.2 , 2 , 3
Gibson, Bob, 1
Gilchrist, Marcus, 1.1-1.2
Gladwell, Malcolm, 1
Good
ell, Roger, 1
Gordon, Jeff, 1
Gorshin, Frank, 1
Graham, Corey, 1 , 2 , 3
Green Bay Packers, 1.1-1.2 , 2 , 3
Gretzky, Wayne, 1
Griese, Brian, 1
Griffin, Robert, III, 1 , 2.1-2.2 , 3.1-3.2
Grisham, John, 1
Gruden, Jon, 1.1-1.2 , 2
H
Haggan, Mario, 1
Hancock, Michael, 1
Harbaugh, Jim, 1.1-1.2