The Indianapolis Colts retire Peyton Manning's jersey. Clark Wade/IndyStar
April 18, 1998, is one of the most important days in Indianapolis Colts history.
That's the day they selected Peyton Manning first overall in the NFL Draft over Ryan Leaf. Who knows how things would have worked out if the Colts had passed on Manning.
Bill Polian, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who was responsible for making that pick, recalled the decision-making process this week on Clark Judge's Talk of Fame podcast.
10 stories: How Manning is linked to Indiana
That one time: Manning stories you hadn't heard
In retrospect, it appears the decision was easy.