SANTA CLARA, Calif. —It's the Last Rodeo. How do we know?
Peyton Manning does not have to say a word. The answer to the retirement question is obvious, with something written all over his face: peace.
"I understand this really could be it," Manning said.
Isn't it obvious? He has been saying goodbye for a month. Goodbye to the sport he loves, goodbye to Denver, goodbye with sincere thanks to rivals and teammates, as Manning lets every goodbye moment linger.
Where there always have been 1,000 ideas and an encyclopedic checklist whirring in the intense eyes of Manning, there is now something far different: peace.