Audio By Carbonatix
Yesterday, Broncos fans saw a new chapter in the Peyton Manning legend happen live during Denver’s 27-20 win over the San Diego Chargers.
And it was beautiful.
For the first time since 1994, when he was a freshman at Tennessee, Manning was initially in a backup role owing to injuries that sidelined him since mid-November. But while young buck Brock Osweiler didn’t play badly, the team turned the ball over five times, giving life to the woeful Chargers — and raising the possibility that Denver would blow the opportunity for a number 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Needing a momentum change, coach Gary Kubiak called Manning’s number during the third quarter — and while Peyton’s stats weren’t exactly eye-popping, the jolt his presence gave to the players around him most certainly was.
Twitter Nation responded to the eventual Broncos triumph in a big way — and while plenty of haters included accusations of cheating with human growth hormones in their reactions, we’ve accentuated the positive in the following top tweets list. Hell, someone even baked Peyton a cake!
Enjoy our favorites below, interspersed with images from the game.
Number 20:
It's #Omaha-Time again! Welcome back, Peyton #Manning!
#GoBroncos #UnitedInOrange #AFCTopSeed
— Thorsten Kuelper (@wortwuerfler) January 4, 2016
Number 19:
Hearing the Denver crowd roar when Peyton trotted onto the field brought chills and tears! Welcome back Peyton Manning! #BroncosCountry
— Mitchell Hap Towner (@Hap_Towner) January 4, 2016
Number 18:
Welcome back Peyton! pic.twitter.com/aBU2OmHwXB
— Cindy (@cfinerty22) January 4, 2016
Number 17:
Welcome back Peyton; keep Brocking on, Brock! And thanks Keo – whoever you are – for saving the game. #Broncos https://t.co/u5HPUTzkt2
— Mia Freis Quinn (@miafreis) January 4, 2016
Number 16:
Peyton Manning is back in town! What a comeback! https://t.co/pSG5H5IzIt #DenverBroncos #DENvsSD pic.twitter.com/TIWa1Ealub
— yvonne hewlett (@yvonnehewlett) January 4, 2016
Number 15:
So did Peyton Manning sing "epic comeback starts right now" when Kubiak put him in today like in the commercial? #SDvsDEN #NFL
— Jason Lathan (@JLL1978) January 4, 2016
Number 14:
Very happy for Peyton Manning coming off the bench today for the comeback win for the Broncos. Can't disrespect a legend like that. #Broncos
— Adey Adeola (@adeyadeola) January 4, 2016
Number 13:
@Broncos #1 Seed WTG Broncos and welcome back Peyton! So happy ur back! Experience can always turn things around! pic.twitter.com/kuVcFl38Rj
— Ana@mom4jesus464 (@mom4jesus464) January 4, 2016
Number 12:
I dont know whats more impressive Adeles comeback or Peyton Mannings one hahahaha
— JCorregidor (@JCorregidor0) January 4, 2016
Number 11:
I see you all trying to pull the Peyton HGH card with that comeback victory.No one believes that story,unless you're a Raiders fan.Hi Haters
— Mac (@Mac10colorado) January 4, 2016
Number 10:
Wasn't pretty, but it was a W! Thank goodness Peyton was able to come back in!!
— Kim Trueblood (@broncoschic71) January 4, 2016
Number 9:
Peyton is honestly the man. What a comeback. Good luck in the playoffs to the Sheriff #Omaha #NFL
— Chase Law (@Lay_Down_TheLAW) January 4, 2016
Number 8:
He's been planning this since he got hurt. The comeback king, Good ole Peyton.
— Corie Nix (@CorieNix) January 4, 2016
Number 7:
PEYTON MANNING = KING OF THE COMEBACK #SDvsDEN
— Tracy Bonzo (@TracyBonzo) January 4, 2016
Number 6:
Nice to see everyone showing Peyton love #comeback
— Daniel Freeman (@djfree) January 4, 2016
Number 5:
How have things been since Peyton made his comeback? https://t.co/ySWfYBxReH
— Clint Pitts (@Clint_Pitts) January 4, 2016
Number 4:
ITS MY GREATEST JOY WATCHING THE GOAT PASTOR PEYTON COME BACK IN AND DO THE LORDS WORK,BRINGING BACK THE BRONCOS FOR A WIN.#PEYTON #GOAT
— Mufasa Tupac Tyson (@ice_ice_baby713) January 4, 2016
Number 3:
Awesome to see Peyton Manning come back in & give the #Broncos the win. #1 seed is the icing on top. Hope he wins it all & goes out on top
— STEVEN (@sdabney21) January 4, 2016
Number 2:
Exclusive footage of Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler after the Broncos' comeback win. pic.twitter.com/CaTW4KFQ3z
— Eric Orvieto (@eorvieto) January 4, 2016
Number 1:
Our welcome back Peyton Manning cake! @Broncos #PeytonManning #broncos pic.twitter.com/YwK9Tsjf5x
— Tabitha (@TabithaTrela) January 4, 2016
