Peyton Manning Breaks NFL Record for Most Touchdown Passes

While a 42-17 win at home over the 49ers on Sunday Night would have been enough to celebrate for the Denver Broncos fans, they got more than their money’s worth as the witnessed Peyton Manning break the record for the most touchdown passes in NFL history.

As Manning prepared for #509, to break Bret Favre’s record, one could feel the anxiety build. An interference penalty in the end-zone gave the Bronco’s first and goal at the one yard line. But with the record on the line, a rushing play was not an option.

ESPN Video of Peyton Manning Breaking the NFL Touchdown Passing Record



On the first attempt however, a pulling guard on a play-action pass actually tangled feet with Manning causing him to trip and fall to the ground. On the next play, however, history would be achieved.

Peyton dropped back and launched a somewhat wobbly pass to the front corner of the end-zone where a grateful, skilled, and always dependable Demaryius Thomas made the record breaking completion dragging the left foot behind the right just enough to catch the pass inbounds.

“I thought before the play I might have a chance,” Thomas said. ” … I just wanted to make sure I got my feet down. I’m grateful for the chance.”

Touchdown pass number 509 put the Broncos up 21-3, but Manning and his team were far from finished. Peyton Manning added one more passing raising the current record to 510 before the night was over.

With the rest of the 2014 season ahead, and with Manning’s health and his playing ability no longer a question in the mind of anyone, this record will likely be much higher before Peyton is done.

From his official Twitter page, Bret Favre congratulated Manning writing, “Well deserved Peyton. Congratulations on breaking my record.” The tweet was referenced with the hash-tag #Onto600.

Will Peyton Manning eventually retire having raised the touchdown passing record to 600? Given his ability, the caliber of his receivers and the quality of his offensive line, surely anything seems possible.