“18’s a good number, and after 18 years I retire from the game of football.” That’s how Peyton Manning officially retired from the game of football.

But much, much more went into the ceremony that bid farewell to one of the greatest quarterbacks to every play the game.

Mile High Sports had a team on the scene, capturing the moments – along with some of our friends in the Denver media – that Broncos Country will remember for a lifetime.

Here’s a look back at the scenes from Peyton Manning’s retirement press conference on March 7, 2016, where he closed by saying, “After 18 years, it’s time. God bless all of you and God bless football.”

The calm before the storm…

The agenda…

The podium…

Peyton’s parting gift…

The media guide to Peyton’s career…

Peyton is in the building…

While TV trucks fill the parking lot…

A panoramic view as the room starts to fill…

Not a seat in the house…

DT greets mamma Manning…

Dad is in the house as well…

Fellow captain David Bruton made it out…

As did former Broncos safety John Lynch

Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller was a late arrival…

The three horsemen…

President and CEO Joe Ellis started the festivities…

And ended by saying Manning will be in the Broncos Ring of Fame…

John Elway followed, fighting off a cold…

Only one man in the room really knows what Manning is going through…

But another had a one-of-a-kind bond with him over the last year…

Coach Kubiak was emotional recounting his time with Manning…

As was Manning, when he finally took the podium…

Manning was very grateful for the second chance he got in his career thanks to Denver…

Manning, above all, shared his love of the game …

From start to finish, Manning’s emotion was on display; the room was more than dusty …

Before taking questions from the media, Manning and the Broncos’ brain trust memorialized the moment …

When asked about his plans for the future, Manning said that nothing has been ruled out, but he’ll take some much-needed vacation before settling on anything …

Manning then said that when his daughter asked whether the Super Bowl would be his last game ever, he got a little suspicious as to her motivations …

And, of course, he signed off with one last “Omaha!”

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Congrats, Manning! You can always call Broncos Country home!