"We had to go to him to help us," [Peyton Manning] told the crowd. "I had to say, 'Dad, will you come and throw some passes with us?' It was always a healthy relationship."

"My dad was my favourite player," Peyton said, sounding as if he were still a little boy himself. "He was my dad, he was my role model, he was my favourite player. All wrapped up into one."

"I'll tell you," Peyton said. "Just about a month ago, my dad turned 60. And me and [Cooper] and [Eli Manning] kind of plotted a surprise 60th birthday party for him."