Peyton Manning has undoubtedly inspired countless kids and athletes around the world. Recently, ESPN covered what they call the ‘Peyton Generation,’ a story on the football players of Indiana who’s names were inspired by the living legend, Peyton Manning.
Before Manning was chosen as the No.1 overall pick in the 1998 draft by the Colts, ‘Peyton’ was just your average name. After becoming the star that carries the team on his back and is known for flourishing under circumstances where most would’ve crumbled, ‘Peyton’ became the solution for all baby name arguments in Indiana.
One family recanted the story of how they came about their baby’s name.
James and Tracie Pruette were expecting their third child, when Tracie called James at work with what she called ‘the perfect name.’
“I said, ‘I’ve got the perfect name.’
“He said, ‘What’s that?’
“And I said, ‘Peyton.’
“He goes, ‘Peyton it is.’ ”
No questions asked, and soon there would be another Peyton to add to the Indiana census.
Peyton Pruett is currently a freshman quarterback at Center Grove High School.
As reported by ESPN, there are currently 57 Peytons registered as high school football players in Indy. That is literally more than enough to have a whole NFL team with everyone named ‘Peyton.’
Parents of baby boys weren’t the only ones who felt the impact. The name ‘Payton’ for baby girls, also sky rocketed as Manning continued his successes with the Colts over 13 years. When the Colts won the Super Bowl in 2006, stats for the name jumped even higher.
While Manning is no longer a Colt and Indiana fans are still saddened by the fact, the original Peyton still receives lots of love and support when he returns to his initial NFL home.
Today, Manning will return to Indiana, but not dressed in white and blue. Manning and the Broncos will face the Colts at 4:25 P.M. on CBS.
