No Plan B

Peyton Manning is America’s quarterback. And America loves a great comeback story. Less than two years after Manning was fired from the Indianapolis Colts, he led the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl and won pro football’s Most Valuable Player award for the fifth time. In 2013, Manning broke the league record for touchdown passes in a single season, despite a body weakened by multiple neck surgeries that threatened to end his career. Manning did it against all odds, in a manner inspirational to any football fan—or anybody who has ever lost a job and been forced to start over.

This second edition of No Plan B follows Manning’s remarkable season with the Broncos on a wild ride to the championship game. Through it all, from the suspension of a star teammate to the heart ailment of his head coach, Manning carried the Broncos to 15 victories and, even in an agonizing defeat at the Super Bowl, reminded us why he is one of America’s most beloved role models. Retire? No way. At age 38, Manning’s lone goal is: Win it all.