It wasn’t an Oscars speech. There wasn’t a statuette for him to hoist, or an orchestra to cut him off after he reached page two of his thank-you list. Peyton Manning already held the Super Bowl trophy for the second time, the final time and the most unlikely time in February. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity Monday, as well as the 17 seasons that came before. He did it the same way he practiced: thoroughly. He did it the same way he played: calling out players on the defense, making sure everyone was aware of their names.

“I’m going to miss a steak dinner at St. Elmo’s in Indianapolis after a win. My battles with players named Lynch, Lewis, Thomas, Bruschi, Fletcher, Dawkins, Seau, Urlacher, Polamalu, Harrison, Woodson and Reed,” Manning said at a press conference announcing his retirement from football. He started listing opposing coaches in the same vein of respect. He reminisced about specific teammates and coordinators, handshakes with admired rival quarterbacks, and Sunday night phone calls with one who happened to be his brother (Eli, of the New York Giants).