Indiana Pacers Thank Peyton Manning

The Indiana Pacers thanked Peyton Manning today for all of his service to the city of Indianapolis.

Thanks to Peyton Manning for all he's done for Indianapolis.

—
Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 07, 2012

In a joint press conference this afternoon, Manning and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay announced that they were parting ways. The four-time Most Valuable Player, who had played his entire career for the Colts, thanked the fans as well as the city of Indianapolis while holding back tears during the conference.

It had widely been expected that the team would release Manning, who had missed the entirety of the 2011 campaign due to a neck procedure he underwent prior to the season. The Colts finished the year 2-14 and ownership decided to rebuild the organization across the board.