SANTA CLARA, calif. — With his young son in his arms and a broad smile on his face, Peyton Manning walked through a sea of reporters and fans toward the Broncos locker room Sunday night. He interrupted his exit with pauses to scan gold-confetti speckled Levi's Stadium. If Super Bowl 50 wasn't Manning's final game, it certainly appeared like it as he soaked in the moment.
Those close to quarterback believed he was ready to retire in the days leading up the game, a conviction that only grew stronger after the Broncos' 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.