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 "I really feel like it's a team accomplishment, certainly an
offensive accomplishment," the Denver Broncos quarterback said after
throwing his 51st touchdown pass.
"But a lot of people played roles in this. I think it's a unique
thing to be a part of NFL history, even though it may be
temporary... (Tom) Brady will probably break it next year and the
year after, so we'll enjoy it for as long as it lasts."
Manning started Sunday's game against the Houston Texans with 47 TDs
in 14 games this season, adding four more to regain the record he
held for three years before Brady broke it in 2007.
The New England quarterback threw 50 passes that year, after Manning
connected with 49 in 2004.
Manning described 2004 as a "unique chase" because he was chasing
Dan Marino's two decades-old record.
"I still think Dan Marino's record in '84 is extremely special,"
Manning, 37, said. "Certainly, the game has changed since then and,
for him to have thrown 48 touchdowns in '84, is still one of the
most remarkable ones. It lasted for so long and he was one of my
favorite quarterbacks."
But Manning's modesty should not disguise his remarkable
achievement. Multiple neck surgeries had kept him out of the entire
2011 season following which he was released by the Indianapolis
Colts. "I think it's well documented that this is the second chapter
of my career and I didn't know what to expect off that injury
and new team, new players and new physical state after an
injury," he said.
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"I've put a lot of time and a lot of hard work into it, but I've
received a lot of help along the way from coaches and trainers
and strength coaches and teammates.
"When something like this happens, it just reminds me even more
of how grateful and thankful I am for a lot of people that have
helped me during this second chapter."
Denver head coach John Fox said it was gratifying to see a "very
humble" guy get rewarded for working so hard.
"He (Manning) said the best news he heard was that we had won
the AFC West for the third straight year," Fox said.
Speaking of which, Manning and the Broncos have some unfinished
business as they eye the post season, but for a few moments at
least they savored a special moment on Sunday.
"Yeah, it was very special," Manning said. "Very rarely during
an NFL game do you get to have a moment like that and, in 2004,
when we broke Marino's record, we had to go for two and we
really did not get to enjoy it.
"Touchdowns, to me, means you're scoring points and helping your
team win games, so that's something that means a little more.
"You know. you can have a lot of yards and not have points and
not win games."
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; editing by
Sudipto Ganguly)
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