INDIANAPOLIS – "The House That Peyton Built" will now have his likeness right outside.
On Friday, Jim Irsay announced that the Colts will be erecting a statue of Peyton Manning outside of Lucas Oil Stadium.
Irsay also said the Colts have officially retired the No. 18 jersey, the eighth retired jersey in team history.
"I can't tell you how honored and humbled by that two pieces of news," an emotional Manning said inside the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center on Friday.
"I really don't know what to say. It was my honor and privilege to play for this organization for 14 years."
An early rendering of the statue, which will be located outside the north entrance (Capitol and South streets) of the stadium, can be seen here.
"(The statue) will be a destination spot for all of our fans…to leave cans of Budweiser or notes for (Manning)," Irsay said with a smile.
"We couldn't be more excited about the statues. It's not too often you build statues for people, particularly in their lifetime, but we are really excited about putting this iconic statue in front of Lucas Oil Stadium where it will stand for many, many years."
At Friday's press conference to honor Manning's remarkable career, Irsay touched on their first meeting at the "Surf Club" in Miami.
Little did Irsay know that their initial introduction would be the start of a trip few have seen in NFL history.
"The journey we went on with Peyton under center for the Colts was just incredibly special in every shape or form, on the field, off the field," Irsay said on Friday.
"I just can't say enough for what he has meant to this franchise, to this city and state. You just simply run out of words thinking about how much No. 18 means to us."
Last week in Denver, at his retirement presser, Manning spoke glowingly of what his time in Indy meant to him and his family.
Those words were reiterated on Friday, in Indianapolis
"This is the team I wanted to play for," Manning said in front of former teammates and Colts' staff.
"I was glad you all drafted me and I'll always be a Colt."
