Congratulations, Peyton Manning and Morgan Cox, on Your Selection to the ESPN All Quarter Century NFL Team

In the vast, ever-evolving landscape of professional football, certain players rise above the fray—not simply because of flashy statistics or memorable highlights, but because of sustained excellence, leadership, and influence on the game. It is in that spirit that we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Peyton Manning and Morgan Cox for their selection to the ESPN All Quarter Century NFL Team.

This honor, celebrating the most impactful and consistently dominant players of the last 25 years, is a fitting testament to what these two men have contributed to the game of football. Though they played drastically different positions and had very different paths to NFL stardom, both exemplified what it means to be among the best to ever step on the gridiron.

Peyton Manning’s inclusion on this list is no surprise to anyone who watched the NFL from the late 1990s into the 2010s. A five-time NFL MVP, two-time Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame inductee, Manning’s influence on the quarterback position can hardly be overstated.

Drafted No. 1 overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, Manning arrived in the league with the weight of expectations. He didn’t shy away. From his very first seasons, Manning displayed a rare blend of intelligence, preparation, and arm talent. His rookie year was rough—28 interceptions—but the learning curve didn’t slow him down. By his second year, Manning led the Colts to a 13–3 record and began setting the tone for a career defined by growth, leadership, and precision.

What separated Manning from his contemporaries wasn’t just his arm or stats—it was his mind. The pre-snap adjustments, audibles at the line of scrimmage, and deep understanding of defensive schemes turned him into a coach on the field. His signature “OMAHA!” call became part of the NFL’s cultural fabric, but it symbolized something much deeper: control, awareness, and tactical mastery.

Manning led the Colts for 13 seasons, compiling 54,828 yards and 399 touchdowns with the franchise. Under his leadership, the team had consistent playoff appearances, won Super Bowl XLI, and were perennial contenders

After a serious neck injury sidelined him for the 2011 season and ended his time in Indianapolis, many questioned if Manning would ever return to form. He signed with the Denver Broncos in 2012—and silenced all doubters. Manning not only returned, but in 2013, he threw for 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns, both then-NFL records, at the age of 37. It was arguably the most statistically dominant season a quarterback has ever had.

He would cap off his career with a second Super Bowl win in the 2015 season before retiring in 2016. His final numbers? 71,940 passing yards, 539 touchdowns, two Super Bowl titles, 14 Pro Bowls, and five MVPs.

Manning’s influence extended beyond the field. His film preparation, leadership, and humility set a new standard for quarterbacks. He mentored young players, supported countless charities, and even his post-retirement work—like “Peyton’s Places” and his role as a commentator—has continued to enrich the sport.

To honor Manning on this All Quarter Century Team is to honor not just one of the most productive passers ever, but a player who fundamentally changed how the quarterback position is understood and played.

While Manning’s name is globally recognized, Morgan Cox has built a career that is equally deserving of recognition—though it often flies under the radar. As a long snapper, Cox occupies one of the most overlooked but crucial positions in football. And for over a decade, he’s done it better than almost anyone in history.

Cox’s journey to NFL greatness did not come via a high draft pick or media hype. After going undrafted in 2010 out of the University of Tennessee, Cox signed with the Baltimore Ravens. It didn’t take long for him to prove himself as a reliable, precise, and calm specialist under pressure.

Over the next 11 seasons with the Ravens, Cox would appear in 165 games, snapping for some of the most successful special teams units in the league. He played a crucial role in field goal operations, punting, and coverage teams. A reliable long snapper may not earn front-page headlines, but coaches, punters, kickers, and teammates understand how essential the role is—and how rare a talent like Cox truly is.

Cox was a key contributor on the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII championship team in the 2012 season. That victory was the product of clutch performances from every unit, including special teams. From clutch field goals to consistent punting in high-stakes playoff games, Cox’s work was instrumental in Baltimore’s success.

And he didn’t stop there. His long-snapping accuracy, speed, and ability to cover kicks continued to earn him praise year after year. In 2021, he signed with the Tennessee Titans, continuing his run of consistency and excellence.

Long snappers rarely make the Pro Bowl—Cox made it four times (2015, 2016, 2019, 2020). He was also named a First-Team All-Pro in 2020, becoming one of the few at his position ever to achieve that distinction.

His selection to the ESPN All Quarter Century NFL Team is a groundbreaking moment for the recognition of special teams players. It sends a message that excellence, no matter the position, is valued and celebrated.

Morgan Cox has quietly redefined expectations for his position. In a job where the best performance is one that goes unnoticed, Cox stood out because of his perfection in execution, dedication to craft, and unwavering consistency. He set a new bar for long snappers and opened the door for greater recognition of specialist positions across the league.

The ESPN All Quarter Century NFL Team isn’t just a list. It’s a curated pantheon of football’s most impactful players from the last 25 years. To be included is to be seen as one of the game’s defining figures—someone whose presence elevated teammates, inspired fans, and pushed the sport forward.

For Peyton Manning, it reaffirms his status not just as a top quarterback of his generation, but arguably of all time. For Morgan Cox, it is a rare and long-overdue spotlight on one of the game’s quiet professionals who has mastered the most technical and pressure-filled role in football.

Though they played opposite ends of the football spectrum—one under the bright lights of primetime and another in the subtle shadows of special teams—Peyton Manning and Morgan Cox are bound by shared traits: discipline, longevity, dedication, and team-first mentality.

Manning elevated the quarterback position with intellect and execution. Cox perfected one of the game’s most difficult and thankless tasks with quiet consistency. Both are leaders. Both are respected not only for what they did on the field but how they carried themselves off of it.

As we celebrate this moment, it’s worth considering what their inclusion on this list represents for future generations of football players.

For quarterbacks, Manning set the gold standard of preparation and performance. He proved that mastery of the mental game can be just as important as physical ability. His work ethic and devotion to his teammates showed what true leadership looks like.

For special teams players, and long snappers in particular, Morgan Cox’s recognition is a landmark. It proves that no role is too small to deserve celebration. That excellence is not defined by fame but by performance.

Congratulations, Peyton Manning and Morgan Cox.

Your inclusion on the ESPN All Quarter Century NFL Team is more than just a line on your resume—it’s an acknowledgment of the immense impact you’ve had on the game, your teams, and the countless fans who watched you work with precision, passion, and professionalism.

You each represent the best of what football has to offer. Peyton, with your audibles, accuracy, and unforgettable leadership. Morgan, with your unbreakable focus and commitment to a job most people never think about—but one your teammates knew they could always count on.

You showed us that greatness can come from anywhere—from the first pick of the draft or the undrafted free agent trying to earn a shot. Your stories, though different in scale and spotlight, arrive at the same conclusion: that greatness is earned, day by day, snap by snap.

Thank you both for the memories, the moments, and the mastery.