In 2014, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning led his team to a 26-16 victory over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, it secured the Broncos its first Super Bowl appearance since 1998.
Just as important as the win was the amount of attention given to Peyton’s chant, particularly his use of the word “Omaha”, in which he chanted the city’s name 31 times before every play and snap made. Omaha officials worked diligently to capitalize on the publicity generated by Peyton’s call, which he used 44 times during Denver’s 24-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC divisional playoff game.
Established in 1999, Peyton Manning created the PeyBack Foundation which promotes the future success of disadvantaged youth by assisting programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for at-risk children. The Foundation has donated more than $6.5 million to youth organizations in Indiana, Tennessee, Louisiana and Colorado.
For the AFC Championship game, eight Omaha businesses teamed up to donate $800 for every Omaha call the quarterback made against New England to Manning’s PeyBack Foundation for at-risk youth which netted $28,000 for his Foundation in that game alone.
According to ESPN,
Fresh off pledging $800 to Peyton Manning’s charity for each time he uttered “Omaha” in the AFC Championship Game, the Omaha Chamber Of Commerce says it will now donate $1,500 for each time he yells the word during the Super Bowl. Read Full Article
While many celebrities participate in charity as a means to boost their public image, Peyton does so out of a sense of obligation. Peyton described his philosophy when it comes to philanthropy in a 2012 Denver Post article.
“You are supposed to be part of the community and you are supposed to give back. It’s not a part-time job. You don’t play somewhere for six months, go someplace else and come back,” he said.
The article also states, “His PeyBack Foundation’s $4.3 million distribution included $800,000 to 147 youth organizations and $100,000 to Marion County court-appointed child-advocate programs representing abused children”.
Considered one of the best to ever play his position, Peyton Manning is statistically having his best season in NFL history. He’s finished the year with new records for passing yards (5,477) and touchdowns (55) and is the favorite to win the league’s MVP award. He was also named Sports Illustrated’s 2013 Sportsman of the Year. Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos will face off against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Feb. 2.
With a communications degree from the University of Tennessee, Peyton talks about the creation of the Peyback Foundation in the video.
