From one Hall of Famer to another, game recognizes game. For Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, his former cross-town Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton’s election to the Baseball Hall of Fame, it means a little bit more.
Helton and Manning were football teammates at the University of Tennessee. Believe it or not, Helton was actually Tennessee’s starting quarterback for a brief time in 1994, before suffering an injury that would pave the way for Manning to take the starting job — and a Hall-of-Fame career career from that point on.
Helton went on to have a stellar 17-year career with the Colorado Rockies, who selected him eighth overall in the 1995 MLB draft. After Manning took the reins as a starter for the Volunteers, he was selected first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 NFL draft.
Rocky Top ➡️ Rocky Mountains ➡️ Cooperstown pic.twitter.com/mqzBLmM8dJ
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) January 23, 2024
Manning and Helton shared a sports home again when Manning signed with the Broncos prior to the 2012 season. Helton finished his playing career with the Rockies in 2013.
Manning congratulated Helton on Instagram when Helton passed the 75% threshold needed to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
HE'S IN!
Helton is headed to the National Baseball Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/rovcsVPj45
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) January 23, 2024
Friendly reminder that Todd Helton started at QB at Tennessee over Peyton Manning pic.twitter.com/hKuAkcSEv5
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) January 23, 2024
I love this! Todd Helton is a true athlete. He is not only a @baseballhall inductee, but also an accomplished football player. In fact, @NFL HOFer, Peyton Manning, was briefly his backup QB in college. https://t.co/27P6nM8lsl
— Andy Pierucci (@andypierucciUT) January 24, 2024
Fun fact not enough folks know: After an injury to the starter in the ‘94 opener, Baseball HOFer Todd Helton was Tennessee’s starting QB for a few weeks (even beat UGA!) before he too got hurt.
He started AHEAD of a young freshman by the name of … Peyton Manning. 2 Vol legends! https://t.co/mXQg8NHfEy
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) January 24, 2024
Todd Helton on when he realized Peyton Manning was going to be better than him: "I knew that the first meeting we went into. Before even seeing him on the field. He knew the offense better than I did and I had been there three years."
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 24, 2024
The University of Tennessee QB room had a couple of Hall of Famers.
Todd Helton (2) in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Peyton Manning (16) in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/cE21EN5aTF
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) January 23, 2024
Tennessee ➡️ Colorado ➡️ Hall of Fame 🤩
What a journey for Todd Helton and Peyton Manning 👏 pic.twitter.com/LCVIrxWYQp
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) January 24, 2024
Todd Helton helped us get Peyton Manning so he’ll always be cool in my book
— Eric V (@EMoney_14) January 23, 2024
On September 24, 1994, Tennessee was playing Mississippi State when Peyton Manning replaced Todd Helton following an injury. Peyton remained the Vols starter for the rest of his career while Todd turned his focus to baseball. Both are now Hall of Famers in their respective sports… pic.twitter.com/lIS5Z2zu2e
— Folsom Frenzy Podcast (@FolsomFrenzyPod) January 24, 2024
Very Cool of both Peyton Manning & The Rockies! https://t.co/k823cxZOFQ
— Brandon Krisztal (@BKDenverSports) January 23, 2024
Todd Helton said in the minutes since learning he was elected into the Baseball HOF, he has spoken with Peyton Manning, the QB he beat out at Tennessee until suffering an injury. #9sports
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) January 24, 2024
It’s extremely important to never forget that Todd Helton personally recruited Peyton Manning to the Broncos https://t.co/RDcqt7tqRc
— nathan mackinnon fan (wintery mix) (@snowdayfan1) January 23, 2024
Peyton Manning congratulates Todd Helton — his fellow quarterback at Tennessee — on his election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/CZzadTWJqT
— MLB (@MLB) January 24, 2024
Congratulations to The Toddfather! https://t.co/OPqb0woF95 pic.twitter.com/lODZ8FYlkM
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 23, 2024
