Peyton Manning is expected to announce his retirement after his recent Super Bowl victory. But another retiring legend, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, paid tribute to the iconic player.
On Feb. 8, right after Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos to a win over the Carolina Panthers at the Super Bowl, the Black Mamba had this to say, "Congrats to an all time great! #PeytonManning #SuperBowlChamps #muse."
Kobe Bryant has been very vocal about his admiration for Peyton Manning, whom he said has a tireless work ethic like himself. That's not a hollow compliment either, considering the Los Angeles Lakers superstar's legendary work ethic.
An article by the Los Angeles Times back in 2010 relayed the story of Bryant visiting Manning where he allegedly told the quarterback, "I said, 'Why is it that every time I watch you play, I turn the game off feeling like I don't do nearly enough to prepare for my game?'"
So it may seemed fitting that Kobe Bryant and Peyton Manning, two legends of the game, should announce their retirement almost at the same time.
Manning is about to turn 40, and has hinted about walking away from the game after becoming the oldest quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
When asked of his retirement, Manning was evasive.
"It's been an emotional week, emotional night, and the night is just beginning," he told USA Today. "I look forward to celebrating with my friends and family and I think I'll take some time after that. Like I said, I am going to enjoy the night, take it one step at a time."
Kobe Bryant, for his part, is clear about his retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers as he made his announcement through a poem published in the Player's Tribune. It's just unfortunate, that his fate-as the team is languishing at the bottom of the NBA--and that of Peyton Manning are at the opposite ends of the spectrum.