“I admire you in the way you’ve handled yourself on and off the field.   Best of luck in your post-NFL career”

These are on some of the handwritten notes that Peyton Manning sends other NFL players on their retirement …. players that have NOT played with him, they have played AGAINST him.  He has sent more than a dozen of these letters.  He handwrites every single one of them … he believes it says “it’s from my heart”.

He believes it shows respect among peers. It shows he appreciates them for their character, not simply their stats.  They played the right way, played when they were hurt, they put it all on the line.  He wants these retirees to know there is another player out there that appreciates them.

What do the recipients of these letters say? They are flattered and “honored that Peyton took the time to write little old me” says Troy Brown of the New England Patriots.   Steve McNair QB of the Oilers/Titans says it “shows the true character of the individual and high standards of being one of the top quarterback.”

Taking a few minutes and doing something out of the ordinary, something that you know will lift someone else’s spirits, shows that you are cognizant of some of the other person’s abilities and motivations.

In this era of modern technology, where emails and tweets run rampant, Peyton shows the power of the handwritten word.