By having more great seasons.
Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday. It was his seventh time as a first-teamer, tying Hall of Famer Otto Graham for the most by a quarterback.
The Denver star set NFL records this season with 55 touchdown passes and 5,477 yards through the air.
He was chosen on all 50 ballots from media members who regularly cover the NFL. Manning also was an All-Pro for Indianapolis in 2003, '04, '05, '08 and '09 and last season made it as a Bronco. He's been on the All-Pro team in both seasons since missing 2011 after several neck surgeries.
"I think it's well documented that this is the second chapter of my career, and didn't know what to expect off that injury and new team, new players and new physical state after an injury," said Manning, a four-time league MVP who never missed a pro start before 2011. "So I had no idea what to expect, and I've put a lot of time and a lot of hard work in to it. But I've received a lot of help along the way from coaches and trainers and strength coaches and teammates. So I'm very grateful."
Manning still has a ways to go to set the record for most All-Pro appearances at any position. Among the players ahead of him is Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice with 10.
New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham and Indianapolis outside linebacker Robert Mathis each drew 49 votes. Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy and Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman had 48.
Minnesota kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson was the only rookie on the squad.
Eighteen NFC players and nine from the AFC made the team. Carolina and Philadelphia each had three: linebacker Luke Kuechly, center Ryan Kalil and fullback Mike Tolbert for the Panthers; NFL rushing leader McCoy, guard Evan Mathis and tackle Jason Peters for the coach Chip Kelly's Eagles.
"Just when Chip came here, we knew we were going to run the ball," McCoy said. "The linemen, they've all been healthy this whole year. They've been blocking so well for me and without those guys, it's not possible."
Only two members of the top teams in each conference made the All-Pro team. Joining Manning from the Broncos (13-3) was guard Louis Vasquez. Joining Sherman from the Seahawks (13-3) was safety Earl Thomas.
"It is very special, especially in a special season," Sherman said. "If you're having a special season and your team has four wins or five wins, I'm sure it doesn't feel as good. But when your team is winning, your defense is No. 1 in every category and you're just contributing, you're not even trying to do anything special individually, you're just contributing to the entire group. It really feels special. And with the chance to do what we have a chance to do this year, it would be fantastic."
Unlike Sherman, many of the players chosen did not enjoy huge team success this season: 12 of the 27 failed to make the playoffs.
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Peyton Manning, Denver.
Running Backs: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia; Jamaal Charles, Kansas City.
Fullback: Mike Tolbert, Carolina.
Tight End: Jimmy Graham, New Orleans.
Wide Receivers: Calvin Johnson, Detroit; Josh Gordon, Cleveland.
Tackles: Joe Thomas, Cleveland; Jason Peters, Philadelphia.
Guards: Louis Vasquez, Denver; Evan Mathis, Philadelphia.
Center: Ryan Kalil, Carolina.
Placekicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore.
Kick Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota.
DEFENSE
Ends: J.J. Watt, Houston; Robert Quinn, St. Louis.
Tackles: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit.
Outside Linebackers: Robert Mathis, Indianapolis; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay.
Inside Linebackers: Luke Kuechly, Carolina; NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco.
Cornerbacks: Richard Sherman, Seattle; Patrick Peterson, Arizona.
Safeties: Earl Thomas, Seattle; Eric Berry, Kansas City.
Punter: Johnny Hekker, St. Louis.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback: None.
Running Backs: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; Eddie Lacy, Green Bay.
Fullback: Marcel Reece, Oakland.
Tight End: Vernon Davis, San Francisco.
Wide Receivers: A.J. Green, Cincinnati; Demaryius Thomas, Denver, and Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh.
Tackles: Tyron Smith, Dallas; Joe Staley, San Francisco.
Guards: Jahri Evans, New Orleans; Logan Mankins, New England, and Josh Sitton, Green Bay.
Center: Alex Mack, Cleveland.
Placekicker: Matt Prater, Denver.
Kick Returner: Dexter McCluster, Kansas City.
DEFENSE
Ends: Mario Williams, Buffalo; Greg Hardy, Carolina.
Tackles: Dontari Poe, Kansas City; Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets, Jurrell Casey, Tennessee, and Justin Smith, San Francisco.
Outside Linebackers: Tamba Hali, Kansas City; Ahmad Brooks, San Francisco.
Inside Linebackers: Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati; Karlos Dansby, Arizona.
Cornerbacks: Aqib Talib, New England; Joe Haden, Cleveland, and Alterraun Verner, Tennessee.
Safeties : Eric Weddle, San Diego; Kam Chancellor, Seattle, Jairus Byrd, Buffalo, T.J. Ward, Cleveland, Devin McCourty, New England, and Antrel Rolle, New York Giants.
Punter: Brandon Fields, Miami.
BLACKOUTS AVOIDED
There will be no local television blackouts in the NFL this weekend.
The Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers said Friday that their weekend wild-card playoff games are sellouts. Normally, teams must sell out 72 hours before kickoff to have a game broadcast in their local market. The NFL gave the Colts, Bengals and Packers an extra day to do it.
The Colts host Kansas City on Saturday. On Sunday, the Packers host San Francisco and the Bengals host San Diego.
In each case, corporations stepped up to buy big blocks of the remaining tickets, including retailer Meijer in Indy, Associated Bank in Green Bay and P&G in Cincinnati. Many will be distributed to military families and veterans.
PANTHERS INJURY UPDATE
Panthers coach Ron Rivera expects wide receiver Steve Smith, running back Jonathan Stewart and defensive tackle Colin Cole will return to practice on Wednesday.
Rivera remained optimistic Friday that all three players will be ready for Carolina's divisional playoff game on Jan. 12 against an opponent to be determined. All three sat out Carolina's Week 17 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Rivera isn't sure about the status of backup tight end Ben Hartsock, who re-aggravated a knee injury against the Falcons.
Rivera said Smith, the franchise's all-time leader in receptions and touchdowns, has been running inside on the treadmill and in the pool inside the building. Smith sprained a knee ligament in a Week 16 win over New Orleans.
STEELERS FIRE OL COACH
The Pittsburgh Steelers have fired offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. after just one season.
The Steelers (8-8) struggled to find any kind of continuity on the line. Perennial Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey went down in the season opener with a knee injury. Pittsburgh ended up using four different players at the position, part of a unit that used 10 different starting combinations in 16 games.
Kelvin Beachum provided some stability at left tackle, but former second-round picks Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert regressed. Pittsburgh finished 27th in the league in rushing and 29th in yards per carry.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 42 times, though only 10 times over the final six games as the team went to a no-huddle offense.
VIKINGS INVESTIGATING
The Minnesota Vikings have retained a former chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court and a former federal trial attorney to conduct an investigation into Chris Kluwe's allegations that he was released from the team due to his support of gay marriage.
The team made the announcement on Friday, one day after Kluwe penned a scathing article alleging that special teams coordinator Mike Priefer made anti-gay comments during team meetings. Priefer has denied Kluwe's allegations.
Former Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court Eric Magnuson and former Justice Department attorney Chris Madel will lead the investigation.
Vikings President Mark Wilf says "it is extremely important for the Vikings organization to react immediately and comprehensively with an independent review of these allegations."
MORE GAMECOCKS TO NFL
We already knew Jadeveon Clowney was leaving South Carolina early to enter the NFL draft.
He’ll have three teammates joining him.
On Friday, South Carolina announced that defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles, cornerback Victor Hampton and receiver Bruce Ellington are leaving school after their junior seasons to pursue NFL careers.
Ellington led the Gamecocks with 49 receptions for 775 yards and eight scores. He’s been playing basketball, but will begin preparing for the draft and not complete the basketball season.
“I would like to thank Coach Spurrier, Coach Horn and Coach Martin for giving me the opportunity to play both football and basketball at South Caroilina,” Ellington said. “I also want to thank all the Gamecock fans and my teammates for the past four years in Columbia. It’s been a great experience and I’ve truly been blessed.”
Contributors: Ken Bradley, The Associated Press
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