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Peyton Manning retirement brings difficult finality, going out on top draws envy of greats

Every player knows, on his own time, when his career is over.

For Hall of Fame Broncos' tight end Shannon Sharpe, it was after his 14th season. He always wanted to play 15 years, but he felt there was nothing left to accomplish.

For former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer, the realization he needed to walk away came one day at the movie theater. He was in excruciating pain for his first five steps after watching a two-hour film.

Both guys wish they could have gone out like Peyton Manning did, winning a Super Bowl. It rarely happens like that.