Peyton Manning Field - Your Peyton Encounters

YOUR PEYTON ENCOUNTERS

I would like to add a page that describes your personal encounters with Peyton. So send me a description letting everyone know how your encounter went. Be sure to include a photo showing you and Peyton together. I retain the right to exclude any obscene messages or photos. This is a family friendly web page.

In this photo released by Kraft Foods, tennis sibling duo, Serena Williams and Venus Williams, share their twist, lick and dunk skills as they train their team to compete in the OREO Double Stuf Racing League finale at the Ritz Carlton in Manalapan, Fla, Friday, April 24, 2009. The team coached by the Williams sisters went on to sweet victory and a $10,000 grand prize. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Steve Mitchell) Special thanks to
Simran Sudan for these articles

In this photo released by Kraft Foods, football quarterback brothers Peyton Manning and Eli Manning share their twist, lick and dunk skills as they train their team to compete in the OREO Double Stuff Racing League finale event at the Ritz Carlton in Manalapan, Fl, Friday, April 24, 2009 for a chance at a $10,000 grand prize. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Steve Mitchell)

This is picture of me (Amber Boothe) and Peyton and Archie Manning. I met them the night that they came to speak at Freed-Hardeman University in my hometown. I got to meet them and eat dinner with them. Peyton was so nice and down to earth. He and Archie are genuinely nice guys. I told Peyton that he smelled great and he told me that I was beautiful. He shook my hand at the beginning and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek at the end. It was truly a night that I will NEVER forget. I saw your sight and I thought you might like to hear of my once in a lifetime experience. Thanks for the great sight!!

Peyton's number one fan,
Amber Boothe

Klint LeBlanc

My name is Barry from NJ and I met Peyton in this shot at Vandy's benefit for Mickey Meyer at St. Elmos steak house after the Broncos game. Adam Meadows took our picture. Peyton looked very tired and was quite when he was there. I met him in a restaurant in Indy and an autograph session in Sommerville, NJ. I have his autograph on my jacket as well as on a helmet with Johnny U's.

Barry From NJ

I live in Nashville Tennessee and recently had the wonderful privilege of meeting my hero, Peyton Manning. It was the morning of the Colts/Titans game and I received information from a close friend on which hotel the Colts were staying in and that I may be able to catch a glimpse of Peyton as he came out. So I hurried down to the hotel and waited outside near the team bus. I was the only person out there, but there were many people inside waiting to see the Colts as they came out. I had on my blue authentic Colts jersey and was about to burst with excitement. My friend Cindy, who was holding the camera said, Vanessa... there he is!!! I turned around and couldn't believe my eyes. It wasn't one of my posters, it wasn't one of my many football cards, it was him. The man, the myth, the legend. Peyton himself. I hurried up to him and told him how happy I was to see him and asked if he would please autograph my jersey. I was told that this is what I said. I was so crazy at the time that I don't remember exactly what I said. He said yes but that he had to hurry and get on the bus. I gave him my pen and he signed the back of the jersey and as you can see in the picture it was pretty much the pinnacle of my life thus far. He was just as polite and nice as I've always heard and was even better looking in person. Later that day I went to the game and cheered for the Colts the whole time while surrounded by Titans fans. I still can't believe that it happened.

Vanessa Sponaugle From Nashville, Tennessee

Peyton Manning single handedly made this old gal, who disliked football and never watched a game, a die hard Colts fan! I tuned in even when my husband wasn’t home to watch every minute of every game, rooting and cheering like a crazy person to the bitter end …win or lose. Not just because of the excellent technical skills and give-it-your-all attitude …but because your goodness shined through as the best of human beings! Indianapolis has lost a treasure.
Thank you for the memories made here. I will now cheer for the Bronco’s as long as you play there!
Sandra Finan

Jason and I went to the Colts game and we traded tickets with this lady so that she could sit next to her friends. Anyway, when we got to the seats, they were only 13 rows from the field. AND... It was right next to the tunnel that the Colts players come out of. Well, we watched the game, and had a good time, and when it was over, we waited until Peyton Manning came through so I could see him up close. Well, there were just a few of us there and when he walked by us, he threw his sweat band that he wore on his wrist and Jason caught it!!!! It was soooooo awesome. (I love Peyton Manning by the way) It was soaked with sweat, but I didn't care, I put it on and wore it all the way home.

Mandy Crouse

Hello, My name is Khurram Thobhani and I just stumbled upon your site. I want to thank you for making this site. I am an absolute Manning fanatic. He is my all time favorite sports player and there isn't even a close 2nd. He is the definition of clutch/class/talent. Greatest ever. I was heartbroken after seeing him leave Indy. I will now support Indy and wherever Peyton lands. Anyways, I have not met Peyton Manning yet but I am hoping that one day in life I get a chance to meet him.

Khurram

I'm a Colts and Manning fan that
lived in Indy when Peyton was drafted but have lived in
Cincinnati area since then. I've never had the opportunity
to meet Mr. Manning - but hope I do some day. What a class
act through and through. I am proud that my kids have gotten
to see such a great example of a true sports hero and a
all-around great human being.
David Snedigar
Middletown, OH

April 2010 my husband and I were at the Men's final four games at Lucus Stadium. We were walking down the tunnel to get down stairs waiting for the next game to begin. As we were approaching the VIP lounge my husband made comment "Wonder what they would do if I just walked in there" we both laughed as we saw a man about ready to enter the lounge. As we got closure I realized it was Peyton Manning. I know how people can act when they see a star so I just smiled and we walked on. As we were walking I turned to notice that he had came out of the door walked up to us and shook my hand and told us to enjoy our evening. Wow he didn't have to do that, it was so funny because my husband at the time is pretty much turning in circles and not realizing what is going on. Peyton smiles turns around and goes back to the lounge as my husband is turning circles saying what the heck just happened. It just shows what type of man Peyton is, of course as I got back to our seats and my husband is still freaking out I realized I had my camera in my purse and didn't even realize it. Thanks Rose and Greg George

Hello, My son went to school on Long Island. One of his friends worked in a family business that setup of autograph shows and Peyton Manning was at one of their shows. The young man told Peyton that his friend's father was a Tennessee grad, a huge Volunteer and Peyton Manning fan. He said Peyton signed a Volunteer mini helmet and told him to give it to his friend's father. He said that he hoped that I would enjoy it. What a nice gesture. I do enjoy it and it is one of my prized possessions.
Dr. John D Metzger, PE Huntingdon, PA

I went to The Manning Passing Academy after my sophomore year of high school (2005) and met the entire Manning family upon arrival. I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever been a part of. The whole family was great. It wasn’t your standard “Hey, glad you’re here… do you want an autograph?” type of thing. They were truly interested in each kid and would have at least a 5 minute conversation with each one. It was incredible and I was on top of the world. BUT… That didn’t hold a candle to my last day of camp. My parent’s plane was delayed for picking me up and I was one of the last kids at camp… standing at the stadium with my bags waiting for my parents to pick me up. Peyton and Eli were working out, getting ready for preseason: working on their drops, their various throws, etc. Peyton saw me and three other 16 year old kids sitting there watching and yelled, “Hey guys, we need someone to catch these passes, throwing to spots doesn’t work without a receiver.” He proceeded to bring us on the field and throw with us for the next 25 minutes until our parents showed up. Honestly, it was one of the most memorable and exciting things that has ever happened to me. A pro QB of his status did not need 16 year old kids running routes at 1/3 of the pace as his normal receivers, but he didn’t care. He wanted us to have fun until the last second of camp. Thank you, Peyton Manning and the Manning Family, for being the model that every young athlete should strive to be. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

This week has especially reminded me how much Peyton has meant to my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. At my elementary school in West Knoxville, David Cutcliffe's wife (David was the Offensive Coordinator at UT during Peyton's years) was a 4th grade teacher at the school. Every year during "Book Week," Mrs. Cutcliffe would have David send over a senior football player at UT to read to the entire 4th grade. My 4th grade year happened to coincide with Peyton's senior season in Knoxville. Peyton read to us from the book "Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days." The front cover to the book featured a boy wearing a necklace with a piece of broccoli at the end. As Peyton began to read, he put on his own broccoli necklace. I remember to this day sitting two feet in front of him as he read to us with his broccoli necklace. There are few things I remember from elementary school, but I will never forget that day. At the University of Tennessee, we have a statute on campus called "The Torchbearer." A plaque on the statute proclaims, "One that beareth a torch standeth in shadow to give light to others." The statute symbolizes how as students, faculty, and alumni we are to be torchbearers for the world and that our eternal flame of volunteer spirit shall never die. Every time I walk by that statute, I become more convinced that the statute should be altered to show Peyton's face. He truly represents the ideals etched onto the monument. He is the embodyment of the Torchbearer. - Chris

I met Peyton at the NFL draft the year he was drafted #1 by the Colts. He was a class act. Amidst be hurried to be interviewed by ESPN he took the time to stop and shake my hand. Later that year I had the opportunity to meet his father Archie and younger brother Eli following the Colts vs. Jets game at the Meadowlands. He also took the time to stop and autograph my Colts hat for me. I also had the opportunity to meet Bill Polian that day. He was very cordial. He also gave me an autograph and thanked me for supporting the Colts.

Zeker From Scranton, PA

On draft day in 98 I went to the paramount theater where the draft was being held. So I put on my custom made Ken Dilger jersey and headed downtown. The Colts had the first pick in draft (again) after they announced Peyton name and he left the stage, I figured it wouldn't be too hard to catch up to him and shake his hand. I buttoned up my jacket to cover up my Dilger Jersey so it would be easy to blend in with the media, I saw the entrance to the media room where the draft pick would hold their press conferences, I was almost through the door but then I was stopped by a security guard who wanted to see credentials, I played dumb, and asked for the bathrooms. I walked up the hall and into the bathroom and while I was in the bathroom I noticed a door, at this point I was desperate to get to Peyton, so I buttoned up my jacket hiding that and opened that door, and would believe standing right in front of me posing for a picture for RCA direct TV was Peyton Manning, I played it cool and went up to him said hello, and shook hands, and I wished him luck I couldn't believe it, part of me wanted to show him the Dilger Jersey and say I've been waiting for you my whole life, after that he gave his press conference, I was standing right there next to his father, Archie and the rest of the Media, I could have asked a question but I couldn't think of anything, all I was thinking was, "what do you think about playing on Turf," but figured that would get me exposed. Ok, so can I make the argument that I was the first official Colt fan to shake hands with Peyton as a Colt?

Bacalao From Bronx, NY

I live in Memphis, TN (home of Peyton's wife)! One Saturday night my family and I were eating at a local restaurant when we notice a wedding at the church next door. This church is big and has a lot of wealthy members, well after we ate, the wedding was ending and saw the people outside, I could not believe it... Peyton Manning.

I have a 5-year-old son, Peyton William Caldwell, loves Peyton Manning. I am an Ole Miss Rebel, so naturally this was not a "nice" name on campus at that time! I did not name him after the "Peyton" nor did I know what his entire name was until I read his book!

We attended the Ole Miss of Memphis game a couple of years ago, sitting in the end zone, I notice the people coming in to sit down on my row...well if it was not Peyton, Ashley, and her family! He was as friendly as he could be! Signing autographs, taking pictures, shaking hands, what a great guy! The only thing that he requested was to allow him to watch the ballgame, Eli went in for a couple of plays and he wanted to watch his little brother!

In Oxford, MS 2001 Ole Miss/Arkansas game... triple overtime game... again we were in the end zone, my son Peyton at the end of the bleachers with all of the other kids, gets hit in the chest with a pass thrown by Eli into the end zone. Peyton was knocked completely out. EMT's checked him out, all was okay but he was MAD. He said he would have caught the ball if Eli had told him he was passing to him! Peyton went 2 weeks with an imprint of a football on his chest!

Kim Caldwell From Memphis, TN

I work security at a club in downtown Indianapolis, and see a lot of sports stars come through. I always saw Edgerrin James and Reggie Wayne every Monday Night. One Monday they brought Peyton Manning with them. I thought he was tall. I stayed by his side and handled his security while he was in the club. I thought he was a pretty down to earth guy. He stayed for about an hour and a half and signed a jersey and a helmet for me. He likes to drink Michelob Ultra. He was wearing a flannel shirt, blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a brown leather jacket. He just looked and acted like a normal guy, not a super star quarterback that makes millions of dollars.

Mike From Indianapolis, IN

I don't have a picture, but my husband and I were in Indy after the 1st game against the Houston Texans. I am from Carmel Indiana and I am a huge fan of the Colts. We didn't go to the game but we went to Indianapolis after watching the game in Carmel. We got a room and put the kids up and we went down to the slippery noodle to have a beer. There was a man playing guitar and singing in this small laid back bar. Later on in the evening I heard this awful singing (song- rocky top Tennessee) look up and it is Peyton Manning singing with this guy. It was sooo cool. #50 Rocky, Fletcher and several other players were with him and their girlfriends, wives. I spoke with Peyton and Fletcher and Rocky, and Peyton talked to my son on the phone. They were doing shots and having a good time. We bought a slippery noodle shirt and they all signed it. They hung out there until the bar closed and it was a great night. Great time, never to be forgotten.

GO COLTS THIS IS YOUR YEAR, Susan

My name is Aaron and this is Peyton at I and the Sandi Patty Celebrity Golf Tournament in Anderson, IN. I had the priviledge of driving Peyton's golf cart when he got to the tourny. I had no idea he was coming and when his limo pulled in my boss told me to go pick him up with the golf cart. He got out of the car and I sat there star struck. There was my all time favorite football player. I said "I'm here to pick you up" and he laughed and got into the golf cart. After a few minutes of taking pictures with people and shaking hands he was getting ready to leave and wanted to take a picture with me and thank me for driving his golf cart. I joked with him about how many touchdown passes he would throw in the upcoming season and we laughed. I'll NEVER forget my few minutes with Peyton Manning.

I was a Hurricane Katrina victim living in Biloxi, MS when the storm hit. Before the storm I communicated with Colts fans on the Indy Star Colts forum, asking them to pray for all of us on the Gulf Coast, because a very, very bad storm was headed our way. (My name on the forum is MouthofSouth.) I lost everything to the storm and did not find my way to a computer for three weeks after that. When I sat at my daughter's computer in Baton Rouge, LA and went on the Colts board, many of the people there were posting message after message, very concerned about me and wondering if I made it through the storm. I posted immediately that I was okay and told of my ordeal. The fans started a campaign to get the owner of the Colts, Jim Irsay, to do something special for me. What he did was fly my daughter, Lisa, and me to Indy for the November 28th, 2005 Monday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I was to be the twelfth "man" and throw out the game ball. I asked if I would be able to meet Peyton, and was told they would have to check with him. He agreed, and when they took Lisa and me back to meet him, he was leaning on a post waiting for us! What a kind and gracious man he is! He chatted with us, fielded our "silly" questions with dignity, and posed for pictures with us. He also signed my jersey and another souvenir I had. Meeting Peyton and being the 12th "man" at that game, plus the kindness of many people I met in Indy, was one of the high points of my life. It was a great boost to my morale after what I had gone through. PS: I asked Peyton to "fry the steelers" and he said, "We will." Then he went out and threw an 80 yard TD bomb to Marvin Harrison on the first play. I like to think that was his gift to me. And here is a link where you can read more about my Colts experience, with more pictures: http://gospelight.org/Katrina/mykatrinaexperience.html - Mary Cage

Sue Thomas

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