Why is Peyton Manning called ‘The Sheriff’?

What is the origin of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning being nicknamed ‘The Sheriff’?

Peyton Manning is going to his fourth Super Bowl and his second as the quarterback of the Denver Broncos. While it’s uncertain if he will play beyond Super Bowl 50, getting to the big game has added to his legacy even more. “The Sheriff” has been leading the charge at quarterback for the Broncos since 2012 and he’s aiming to bring the team their first Super Bowl win since John Elway was under center.

But just how did Manning get this nickname, though? Well, like many great nicknames in sports, it all started with an announcer. It was ESPN’s Monday Night Football color commentator Jon Gruden that dubbed Manning with the illustrious nickname that has stuck with him since.

It happened in 2009, when Manning and the Indianapolis Colts played the Miami Dolphins. That night, Gruden referred to Manning as “The Sheriff” because of his ability lay down the law in other teams’ stadiums. Further ESPN crew members began using the nickname immediately after and it took off from there, creating the fact that we hear it so much to this day.

The origin of “The Sheriff” starts with Gruden and rightfully so. One of the greatest moments of Manning’s career involved a classic road win by the Colts against Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.

In that game, the Colts trailed Tampa Bay by 21 points with five minutes remaining. Manning would then lead the Colts to one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history and one of the most incredible finishes in the history of primetime television. If anyone is deserving of nicknaming Manning, it’s certainly Gruden.

He watched Manning lay down the law and his nickname captures the true essence of Manning’s career perfectly.