Late in the second quarter of Sunday night's game between the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning found wide receiver Demaryius Thomas for an eight yard touchdown - a feat he's accomplished 508 other times in his illustrious 16-year career.
But this specific pass was special, because with the touchdown to Thomas, Manning surpassed Brett Favre for first place all-time in NFL history in passing touchdowns, according to ESPN, fortifying his legacy and cementing his place in history.
"I've discussed with some family and friends recently that [I] certainly didn't think this would even be a possibility a couple of years ago," Manning said after the game via ESPN. " ... I'm really enjoying playing here, playing for this organization."
The 38-year-old Manning, who entered the game with 506 career touchdown passes, needed three to move ahead of Favre and into sole possession of first all-time in the NFL's record books.
"I'm very humbled and I'm very honored. I certainly think about how grateful I am for all the teammates and coaches that I've played with and played for throughout my career, not only here in Denver - in Indianapolis and all the people that have helped me along the way, but I've always been a fan of quarterbacks, whether it's Brett Favre or Dan Marino or John Elway," Manning told the Denver Post. "I'm very honored and humbled to join a pretty unique club and then when you throw in guys like Johnny Unitas and Fran Tarkenton, guys that were my dad's heroes growing up as well, I can put it in some perspective and I have a great appreciation for it."
Manning moved swiftly, opening the game with a seven completions on seven attempts for 111 yards and two-touchdown line, according to Sportscenter's Twitter account. Touchdowns number 507 and 508 went to wideouts Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker respectively.
ESPN also reports that the Broncos played a brief tribute that included a video message from Favre, John Elway and several of Manning's teammates moments after he broke the record.
Per the Denver Post, Broncos receivers, as well as tight end Julius Thomas, played "keep away" from Manning briefly with the record football before finally handing the ball to their quarterback.
"I can't believe they actually did it. We sort of joked about it during the week," said Manning. "I'm a little bit hurt by the fact that they could do that, that they're kind of picking on me. I've lost my vertical leap, it's not there anymore. My side-to-side agility is not quite as quick so it hurt me and of course I probably deserved it based on the non-graceful play in that I tripped and fell on the play before, so it's probably fitting. But that was pretty funny, I enjoyed that and I'll definitely remember a lot of things about tonight but I'll definitely remember that part of it and the fact that they had the guts to go ahead and go through with it."
Manning is just three years removed from spinal fusion surgery. Many, including Manning, wondered if the future Hall-of-Famer would be able to return to play football, let alone return to play at a high level.
"I can't ... I don't know, really,'' Manning told Peter King of Sports Illustrated as he drove home after the game. "But I will say, possibly, that when I started back after my neck surgeries, I started back with the basics. The absolute fundamentals. I worked with [Duke coach and former Manning college coach] David Cutcliffe, and we went back to ground zero with everything I did. So I think my fundamentals all got sharper, and that could be a reason why this is happening now. But I don't know."
According to ESPN, the game marked Manning's 246th regular-season start while Favre threw 508 touchdown passes in 302 regular-season starts for the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.
Sunday night was Manning's 89th career game with three or more passing touchdowns. Manning has averaged 2.07 passing scores per game for his career.
Manning padded his stats in the second half, connecting with Thomas again, adding passing touchdown number 510 to his record.
"This is the kind of record I'm only going to have temporarily," Manning told King.
"Somebody - Aaron Rodgers, maybe, or one of the other great quarterbacks - has a good shot to break it. But for me, two and a half years ago, I never figured this would be possible. I remember when [brother] Cooper couldn't play anymore [after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis in college], and when I had my neck situation, I was determined that if I played, I would never take anything for granted. I would appreciate it all. And I have. I am just truly grateful to be out there, for as long as I can be. And coming here - wow, this has been so special.
"I just hope whoever breaks it years from now has an appreciation for history, and for quarterbacks."
