Peyton Manning was "immortalized on Saturday" with the dedication of a bronze statue in his likeness that will "tower some 13 feet over the northern entrance of Lucas Oil Stadium." The ceremony was "attended by an estimated 10,000 fans." The statue represents Manning "down to its most minute detail, from the loose jersey sleeves to the fact that it depicts Manning perched on his toes ready to deliver a pass." Today, his number is being "retired and his name inducted into the Colts' Ring of Honor" during halftime of the Colts' home game against the 49ers (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/8). The statue event "featured many of Manning's former Colts teammates." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former GM Bill Polian, former coach Tony Dungy and longtime late-night TV host David Letterman "highlighted the eight guest speakers." The ceremony "lasted about an hour" (ESPN.com, 10/7).
After the event, Manning joked, “I don't know if you can still be alive to see a statue of you. So I've had a couple of physicals, just to be sure” (“Sunday NFL Countdown,” ESPN, 10/8).
