In 2011, Peyton Manning underwent a spinal fusion surgery in his neck to repair nerve damage. It cost him the season, led to his release from the Colts after 14 years, and Indianapolis drafting Andrew Luck, taking the franchise in a new direction.
Manning spent much of 2011 trying to regain the use of his throwing arm. He reportedly couldn’t throw the ball more than a few yards and the future of his career was seriously in doubt. Manning went to some extreme measures, including traveling to Europe for stem cell treatment that isn’t available in the United States.