NEW ORLEANS -- A year ago, Peyton Manning didn't know if he would ever play again. Now he's the 2012 Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
The Denver Broncos quarterback won the award Saturday night at "NFL Honors," edging Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Manning sat out the entire 2011 season with neck problems that took four different surgeries to correct and led to the end of his 14-season run with the Indianapolis Colts. He signed with the Broncos in March and put together one of the best statistical seasons of his NFL career.
Manning had a league-best 68.6 percent completion percentage with 37 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions and a 105.8 passer rating. He led the Broncos to a 13-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
Manning's win counts as something of an upset ... at least if you're Peterson. The Vikings star said he believed he had the Comeback Player award "in the bag." That didn't turn out to be the case, but Manning certainly is deserving of this honor.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
