Former Vols Peyton Manning & Todd Helton Honored In Colorado

Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts at the end of the 2013 AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field against the New England Patriots at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Fate has a funny way of working sometimes.

Two former Tennessee Volunteers — Todd Helton and Peyton Manning — spent most of their post-Tennessee careers playing different sports, in different cities.

Two years ago a neck injury ended Manning’s career in Indianapolis, which in turned opened the door for the legendary Vol quarterback to end up in Denver — the same city where Helton has spent his entire professional career.

On Thursday the former Vol teammates — and good friends — were honored at the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Manning was named the 2013 Colorado male athlete of the year, while Helton was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.

For Manning it’s the second straight year he’s been named the male athlete of the year. Coincidentally it’s the second year he’s been eligible.

In true Peyton Manning fashion he was more excited to talk about Helton’s honor, rather than his own accomplishment.

Manning told Chris Hall of the Denver Broncos that it was “Pretty cool to be here with one of my best friends, Todd Helton, being honored. It won’t be the last hall of fame he’s inducted into, in my opinion”.  Manning continued by saying “Back in 1994, I didn’t see this coming, 20 years ago. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long”.

Helton retired this past season after 17 seasons with the Colorado Rockies.

There’s no doubt that both of these former Volunteers will be enshrined in the baseball and football hall of fame in the not so distant future.