Peyton Manning To Retire A Champion

Peyton Manning has informed the Denver Broncos he's going to retire.

Just shy of 40, Manning will forgo $19 million and a 19th season in the NFL, where he served as both a throwback and a transformer during a glittering career bookmarked by an unprecedented five MVP awards and dozens of passing records.

Manning leaves as the NFL's all-time leading passer and winningest starting quarterback, the only one in to win Super Bowls with two franchises.

In an interview with "CBS This Morning" after winning Super Bowl 50, the veteran quarterback said he didn't feel the pressure to prove himself on the field against the Carolina Panthers.

CBS News

"I was truly honored to be a part of that game, to be playing the 50th Super Bowl," Manning said. "Obviously I've been a huge football fan growing up, and have watched a ton of Super Bowls, and walking out on that field for the pre-game warmups - it was about as beautiful of setting you could possibly imagine. And to be playing in it, I felt so honored and grateful."

His final season was marred by a pair of ugly accusations. First, a report claimed to link Manning to HGH use during his recovery from neck surgery. Second, a lawsuit brought up old accusations that the quarterback sexually harassed a female trainer while playing at the University of Tennessee. Manning has denied both allegation.