INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The Indianapolis Colts unveiled a statue of Peyton Manning on the north plaza of Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
"I will always be a Colt," Manning told the crowd before he tossed autographed footballs to fans after the ceremony.
The bronze statue features Manning in his Colts uniform ready to throw a pass.
On Sunday Manning will be inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor and his No. 18 jersey will be retired at halftime of the game between the Colts and the San Francisco 49ers.
Guests who took part in the ceremony honoring Manning included Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Purdue University President and former Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels, Former Colts President/Vice Chairman Bill Polian, and former Colts coach Tony Dungy.
Colts owner Jim Irsay and Indianapolis native entertainer David Letterman also spoke.
Letterman, the late night comic who grew up in Broad Ripple, asked why the city has not erected a statue for him.
Letterman followed Commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell and former Colts Center Jeff Saturday to the podium.