Polian built several teams into consistent winners, including the Buffalo Bills (1984-92), Carolina Panthers (1995-97) and Colts (1998-2011). Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who was selected with the first overall pick in 1998 by the Indianapolis Colts, plans to attend Bill Polian’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony next month.
Manning called in to the former Colts general manager’s radio show Tuesday night on SiriusXM to congratulate Polian and said he will be in attendance for the ceremony.
Manning spent 14 seasons in Indianapolis with Polian, and the future Hall of Fame quarterback will be making his first trip to Canton, Ohio.
“I’m excited for Bill’s induction and I plan on being there,” Manning told Polian and Alex Marvez on their NFL show. “I’ve never been to Canton ever, Bill. I remember a couple of years ago when the Colts played in there I had my knee issue so I had to miss the trip to Canton, so coming to Canton to see Bill make his speech will be my first trip, and I couldn’t be more proud and excited for Bill.”
Polian state
d the obvious that Manning’s trip to Canton certainly will be the first of many.
“Well I can assure you it won’t be your last,” Polian said, “and check around the building and follow the ceremony closely because five years or so from now — or maybe more than that if you keep playing — you’ll be there, so it’ll be a good dry run for you. I’m very honored that you’re coming, obviously.”
Polian built several teams into consistent winners, including the Buffalo Bills (1984-92), Carolina Panthers (1995-97) and Colts (1998-2011).
Polian was general manager of the Bills when they made four straight Super Bowls with Jim Kelly, but drafting Manning and winning one Super Bowl with the Colts got him the most notice.
The Colts compiled a 167-41 record, made 11 playoff appearances, won eight division titles, won two AFC titles and won Super Bowl XLI during their 14 years together.
“I always knew that Bill had my back,” Manning said. “We were always trying to do the same things, trying to win, trying to rob the same train if you will. We all had the same goals in mind, but I always knew that Bill had my back and that always meant a lot. You like playing for guys that you know are going to have your back and are kind of right in the middle of it fighting with you.
“Even though Bill wasn’t on the field on Sundays, it felt like he was. He was out there on the practice field every practice. I can’t think of a practice in my 14 years in Indy that Bill wasn’t right there behind the players next to the assistant coaches in his shorts and T-shirt right in the middle of it. He’s an old coach so he’s got coaching in his blood, and then on Sunday’s I’m telling you he was on that field until the last possible minute walking through the stretch lines, shaking everybody’s hand, and so it felt like he was out there with us.
“And then, of course, he was the first guy to greet us in the locker room, either to shake our hand and congratulate us after a win or put his arm around us after a loss. It was a special privilege to play for a guy like that and that’s not necessarily normal.”
Linebacker Junior Seau, guard Will Shields, defensive end Charles Haley, wide receiver Tim Brown and running back Jerome Bettis were chosen as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015, and they were joined by two contributors, general managers Ron Wolf and Polian, and seniors committee candidate center Mick Tingelhoff.
The class will be formally enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
