Category Archives: Ascension

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (PRESS RELEASE)

(Aug. 11, 2021 -- Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, like other hospitals across Northwest Florida, has seen a rapid spike in hospitalizations due to the spread of the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19. The hospitals in the Panhandle are currently treating more COVID-19 patients than at any time during the prior two surges of the virus.

In the Ascension Sacred Heart hospitals in Miramar Beach, Panama City and Port St. Joe, there are a total of 134 patients sickened by COVID-19. That is up 18 percent from a week ago, and it is 10 times higher than it was on July 1.

Safe and timely access to essential care is vitally important, and the safety of our patients and staff remains our top priority, said Henry Stovall, regional president of Ascension Sacred Hearts hospitals in Miramar Beach, Panama City and Port St. Joe. Our Bay hospital is very busy and our staff is stretched in dealing with the ongoing influx of patients with COVID-19, but our dedicated teams are providing excellent care. We are still performing surgeries and procedures our patients need urgently or in an emergency. At the same time, were utilizing all of our invaluable staffing resources and personnel in the most appropriate and effective manner to ensure care for every patient.

Within Ascension Sacred Hearts hospitals, 94 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have not been vaccinated. With the spread of the delta variant of the virus, we also have found that the disease is impacting younger patients. The average age of patients has dropped into the low 40s, which means many patients in their 20s and 30s are getting very sick. We are seeing fewer patients over 65 because most of those people have been vaccinated. The current surge is a public health crisis that we hoped would never happen, but the community needs to know that COVID-19 is hitting this community hard, Stovall said. The surge has put great pressure on our hospitals, emergency departments and healthcare professionals.

Our healthcare workers need the communitys support to stop this surge now.

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Ascension Sacred Heart seeing record increase in COVID hospitalizations - WJHG-TV

The 10th Anniversary Revised Edition of A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, featuring renowned author and theologian Dr. Edward Sri, reveals the foundation of Catholic worship in a dynamic way.

Since the initial release of the 2011 small group study A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, whose companion book has been described by EWTN as one of the most important books on the history of the Catholic Mass, hundreds of thousands of Catholics have discovered the truth about what happens each time they go to church.

This summer, Ascension celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the best-selling studys publication by releasing a 10th Anniversary Revised Edition, which includes updated content in the book as well as gorgeous, all-new course videos filmed at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

In the 10th Anniversary Edition of A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, renowned theologian, author, and presenter Dr. Edward Sri explores the deep scriptural roots of the Catholic Liturgy and provides dynamic explanations, showing study participants what the Mass means, why its so important, and how it can transform their daily lives.

If we can understand the biblical background of all the beautiful prayers and the rituals of the Mass, says Sri, well be able to give our hearts more to Christ and experience his love more in every Mass.

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, 10th Anniversary Revised Edition, is available at AscensionPress.com/TheMass

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Contact:Lauren JoyceAscension(484) 876-1400[emailprotected]

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Religion News Service or Religion News Foundation.

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Ascension celebrates 10 years of helping Catholics fall in love with the Mass - Religion News Service

The organization of a new heart surgery center is underway now in Murfreesboro. If everything continues to go as planned, a finely tuned team of doctors, nurses and surgeons will open the newCardiac Surgery Program on the second floor of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. That new office should be ready for patients within about 12 to 18-months.

Cardiologist Dr. Hady Lichaa told WGNS NEWS...

Saint Thomas Rutherford CEO Gordon B. Ferguson said that installing new technology is another step in the process of starting the new cardiac program...

AfterSaint Thomas hires new staff for the cardiology program andcompletes the installation newequipment, surgeons will be able to perform open-heart surgery in Murfreesboro, as opposed to patients having to drive to Nashville or other larger cities forsimilar procedures.

The Cardiac Surgery Program will be the first of its kind in the Murfreesboro area. In fact, outside of Nashville the closest city to offer a similar surgery program that allows for open-heart surgery is in Chattanooga.

More Details:Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Chief of Cardiac Surgery Evelio Rodriguez, MD, noted, Currently there is not a cardiac surgery program to serve the growing communities between Murfreesboro and Chattanooga.Ascension Saint Thomas Heart physicians are committed to building a cardiac surgery program that will provide the community with an excellent option for care.

A cross-section of state and local elected officials, ministers, individuals representing area medical and financial groups and other citizens filed support for the hospitals request.CLICK HERE to see the letters

WGNS will keep you informed on the timeline for the new Cardiac Surgery Program to open in Rutherford County, TN.

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UPDATE: Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital Continues to Prepare for New Program to Allow for Open Heart Surgeries in Murfreesboro - Wgnsradio

For Clay Today

MIDDLEBURG The health and safety of patients, associates and visitors are a top priority for Ascension St. Vincents Clay. It has rigorous infection prevention protocols in place at all times that are based on guidance from government health officials including the CDC and Florida Department of Health. It is continuously updating its protocols and policies during this rapidly evolving situation, including adjustments in hospital visitation policies as needed.

Given the continued development of COVID-19 in our community, the hospital has instituted a new visitation policy:

In-patient adults: No visitors unless deemed necessary by the patients nursing staff.

Labor and delivery: One designated visitor for each patient. A doula may also be allowed as needed.

Emergency department: For adults, no visitors unless deemed necessary by nursing staff. For pediatrics (minors), up to two designated visitors per patient. The visitors must be the patients parents or guardians.

End-of-life/hospice: Two designated visitors will be permitted. Visits will be arranged by the patients nursing team.

Outpatient imaging and procedural areas: No visitors for adult patients who do not need assistance. If a patient needs assistance, one visitor is permitted. For pediatrics (minors), one designated visitor per patient is permitted, but they must be the patients parent or guardian.

All approved visitors will be required to complete a health screening for entry and wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose at all times, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Visitors who have a known COVID-19 exposure, have tested positive for COVID-19, or have a pending COVID-19 test cannot visit unless there are clearly documented extenuating circumstances and the patients care team approves the visit.

If someone needs emergency medical care, do not delay. Hospitals and emergency rooms remain open and ready to safely provide care to those who need it.

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Ascension St. Vincent's Clay changes their visitation policy - Clay Today Online

Staff Report| Gonzales Weekly Citizen

Are you looking for ways to help your students with the new school year? On Saturday, Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales will conduct two workshops on free online library resources for homework help and curriculum planning.

These workshops designed for parents, caretakers, and educators will give you step-by-step introductions to numerous resources that teach math, English, science, history, and test preparation.

2 p.m. Resources for grades preK5: You will be introduced to free resources available through the library such as World Book, True Flix, TumbleBooks, and Hoopla. These resources cover everything from matching and counting, literacy, history, science, and even fiction stories that support early math concepts. They include ebooks, audiobooks, interactive games, videos, and activities that go along with lessons.

3:30 p.m. Resources for grades 612: You will be introduced to resources such as Learning Express, Universal Class, Access Science, Science Flix, and Homework Louisiana. These resources offer everything from science projects, scholarly articles, quizzes, practice ACT tests, college and career preparation, and live tutors.

Registration required. Call (225) 647-3955 to register. Masks are recommended. Please specify which session you would like to attend. Attendance at both sessions is welcome. Parents and students are encouraged to bring a laptop or other electronic device to better explore the free resources.

F1 Hybrids: Not Your Grandmothers Flowers Gardening Workshop

Discover what first filial generation seeds and plants are and how they can make useful additions to your home garden.

This educational gardening workshop, brought to you by Ascension Parish Library and the Ascension Parish Master Gardeners Association under the direction of the LSU AgCenter, explores how new and improved genetics make flower gardening rewarding and less labor intensive.

Cindy Moran, licensed landscape horticulturalist and former owner of a wholesale bedding plant nursery, will discuss how interspecific crosses have revolutionized flowers and foliage in gardens. Plus, learn how to make the important decisions in selecting seasonal color. F1 Hybrids: Not Your Grandmothers Flowers will be at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales. Registration is required and space is limited. Call (225) 647-3955 to register. Masks are recommended.

Starting and Financing a Small Business Seminar

Join Ascension Parish Library at 1 p.m. Aug. 18 for a virtual small business seminar designed for individuals who want to learn what it takes to start and run a successful small business.

Presenter Sonia E. Wilson, business consultant with Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University and A&M College - Baton Rouge, will focus on helping participants learn how to determine the feasibility of their idea, as well as how to obtain a small business loan.

Topics of discussion include: the purpose of developing a feasible business plan; assessing business risks; marketing strategy development; management planning; financial planning; identifying sources of funds for business start-up; the dos and don'ts of borrowing money; the loan application process; and key resources available to get assistance.

Advance registration is required for this Zoom webinar brought to you by Ascension Parish Library. To register, visit our APL Business Resource Center at aplbusinessresource.com and click on Webinars. An email address is required to register. After registering, you will receive an email with information on how to join the live session. For additional information or assistance, call (225) 673-8699.

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Library to host back-to-school workshops - Weekly Citizen

The leadership in Albany will have a brand-new look in two weeks when Gov. Andrew Cuomos resignation takes effect and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul officially takes over on Tuesday, Aug. 24.

Cuomo finally gave into calls for his resignation on Tuesday, Aug. 10, effective 14 days later, when Hochul takes over, opening the door for a new lieutenant governor to take over her position.

According to the Associated Press, Hochul has tapped her successor in State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers), who is set to take over the duties of lieutenant governor once Hochul becomes governor on Tuesday, Aug. 24.

New Yorkers will vote next year on a new governor and lieutenant governor. It is unclear whether Hochul plans to pursue a second term when she concludes this run in 2022.

Stewart-Cousins called Tuesday a somber day for the state of New York, but one that demonstrates our ability to build a more accountable system of government.

Governor Cuomo's resignation opens the door to a restorative future," Stewart-Cousins said in a prepared statement on Tuesday.

"We all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the courageous women who came forward and helped pave the way for safer and more inclusive workspaces."

Stewart-Cousins has already identified points of interest that are of concern for New Yorkers that she and Hochul will look to tackle in the approximate 16 months left of the current term that was vacated by the resigning Cuomo.

Working with Governor Kathy Hochul, the first woman Governor of New York State, we will continue to address the COVID-19 pandemic, rebuild our economy and face our challenges standing together, she said.

Governor Hochul is a dedicated leader, and united, we will get the peoples work done.

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Hochul's Ascension To Governor Will Clear Way For New Lieutenant From Westchester - Harrison Daily Voice

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (August 4, 2021) Leaders from Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, United Surgical Partners International (USPI) and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce were among those in attendance at the August 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the highly anticipated New Salem Surgery Center. The ambulatory surgical center spans 13,000 square feet on 3 acres at the southwest corner of New Salem Highway and St. Andrews Drive in Murfreesboro.

Salem Surgery Center | 2755 New Salem Hwy. | Murfreesboro, TN 37128

Photos by Rutherford County Chamber

In addition to general surgery, key specialties represented inside the ambulatory surgical center will include urology, ENT, and gastroenterology. The facility will also house an Ascension Medical Group specialty clinic for urogynecology and GI. New Salem Surgery Center is the result of a joint venture between Ascension Saint Thomas, United Surgical Partners International, and physicians. USPI is the nations largest ambulatory services provider with over 330 facilities serving more than 2.5 million patients per year.

By strategically shifting a variety of procedures from a hospital setting to an ambulatory surgery center, we are creating lower-cost options for the community we are privileged to serve, said Gordon Ferguson, president and CEO, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford. The New Salem Surgery Center is a product of our ongoing commitment to making compassionate care accessible, convenient and more affordable. Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford is thankful to have USPI as our partner.

We are pleased to be partnering with Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford to reach our shared vision of making care more accessible and affordable, said Kristen OConnor, Market President of United Surgical Partners International. It is our privilege to help bring this much-needed facility to the heart of Murfreesboros New Salem community.

The longstanding partnership between Ascension Saint Thomas and USPI spans more than 25 years.

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Ascension Saint Thomas Celebrates the Opening of Its New Salem Surgery Center - rutherfordsource.com

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart is offering COVID-19 testing at multiple physician offices and walk-in centers this week.

In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the sites include:

Destin and Crestview

Patients do not need to be established with an Ascension Medical Group physician. However, patients will need to see a healthcare provider who will evaluate them and then be able to provide a COVID-19 test. If patients have testing questions, they can email COVID19testing@ascension.org.

Where to get COVID-19 vaccines

Ascension Medical Group offers vaccinations at its Urgent Care Centers and vaccines also can be found at some locations of CVS, Walgreens, Publix, Walmart and the Department of Health. For details on locations to get testing or vaccinations, click here.

Symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 infection can cause mild to severe symptoms, or no symptoms. People with the following symptoms may have COVID-19: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.

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Ascension Sacred Heart offering COVID-19 testing in northwest Florida - WKRG News 5

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller is using her platform to promote womens health.Shes partnering with the health care company Ascension for the campaign.

Miller has won seven Olympic medals.She was a member of the U.S. womens gymnastics team, dubbed the Magnificent Seven, that won gold during the 1996 Olympics.

Years after retiring from the sport, she faced a battle she never expected: being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.Miller says she almost delayed the routine doctors appointment where she was diagnosed, but because she didnt, this saved her life.

Now 10 years cancer-free, Miller is partnering with Ascension to encourage other women to take care of themselves.

I think often women, we tend to put everyone and everything else first and tend to drop our focus on ourselves down to the bottom of the ladder, and we need to make our health a priority; we need to move it up on the to-do list, said Miller.

The marketing campaign includes television ads during the Tokyo summer games and beyond, and an email campaign focused on important health screenings for women.

More information can be found online.

Originally posted here:

Olympic gold medalist partners with Ascension to promote womens health - WOODTV.com

CANTON, Ohio

Peyton Manning will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Sunday, the capstone of a spectacular career in which he directed both the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos to Super Bowl victories.

In the audience will be legions of fans, along with friends and former teammates. Some grew up with him in New Orleans, and lined up with him on the sports fields at Isidore Newman School, which is pre-K through 12th grade.

The Los Angeles Times gathered five of his former Newman teammates for a video conference to reminisce about the gangly, plodding, pranking kid who rounded into one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.

On the call were Manning friends Baldwin Montgomery, Justin Reyna, Thad Teaford, Mike Keck and Nate Stibbs.

I really value those friendships, and a number of others who I grew up playing Little League baseball with or went to school with at Newman, Manning said. Im proud that Ive been able to maintain those friendships for such a long time. They give me a hard time because they basically had an annual trip to see me play once a year either to Knoxville, for a Tennessee game, Indianapolis for a Colts game, or in Denver.

When I retired they accused me of kind of ruining our annual trip, that I was selfish about retiring and screwing everything up. I took the heat for that.

Getting together wasnt easy during the pandemic, but Manning did gather his friends to take in a college game at Tennessee.

Watched the game, sat in the stands, and had a good get-together. Have to be a little more creative and finding what to do on our annual trip. Football made it easy.

Among the memories:

Even when he was a kid, Mannings memory was something to behold. He could recall the smallest of details, and not just sports-related ones. Sometimes it was music.

Back in those Little League days, sometimes youd be going to play some game an hour or two away, Reyna said. Peyton was with us one time, and my parents put some Motown on the radio. Were probably 11 or 12. Hes sitting back there naming the songs and who sings them. My parents were looking around like, Who knows these songs as a 10-, 11- or 12-year-old?

Manning still has that curiosity about his old classmates.

He loves nostalgia, the childhood memories, Montgomery said. Every five years you have your high school reunion, and nobodys more interested in what our classmates are up to or getting an email chain going: Where are you? Whos going to be there? How is so-and-so doing? Theres this keen interest in looking back.

Peyton Manning helped bring another Super Bowl trophy to Denver.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

Not surprisingly, football factoids were of particular interest. There, he was a walking Wikipedia.

He knew every single player his dad played with, Teaford said. He knew every single play. He would listen to the radio broadcast and he would tell you exactly what the next play was going to be, who the receiver was that caught every touchdown, where they were from, what their brothers name was. He could tell you stories about people hed never even met.

The light switch didnt just go off when he started playing quarterback at Newman or got to Tennessee or got to Indianapolis. The light switch was on from the second he was born.

Did you ever watch Homeland or The Wire, where crime solvers would construct a wall of photographs or thoughts tenuously connected by pieces of string, a crazy visual aid untangling some type of convoluted conspiracy?

Basically, that was Mannings bedroom.

Back in 1993, we didnt have computers in class, nobody had iPhones, Stibbs said. So whenever he had an idea, he would write it down on a little yellow sticky note.

Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning launches a pass during a game against Kentucky on Nov. 22, 1997.

(Ed Reinke / Associated Press)

Youd go to his room at his house and hed have 250 sticky notes all over his wall, just on little ideas that flashed into his mind that he didnt want to forget about. So he kept a note and a pen in his pocket and hed write it down. I always thought that was pretty incredible at that age to have that attention to detail.

It could have been a homework assignment, something that popped into his mind. Something about watching game film or practice or preparation. It was all over the board.

Sometimes, Peyton was too smart for his own good or at least he thought he was.

He was on a bitty basketball team when he was in grade school, and a teammates dad was the coach. The guy was a lawyer who lived in the Mannings neighborhood, and though he didnt know a lot about coaching, he was focused on the kids having fun.

That didnt sit well with young Peyton, not after the team lost a game.

The coach tried to give the team a pep talk in the wake of defeat, sort of: Well, we didnt play our best, but well get em next time.

Peyton stood and countered with: No, the reason we lost is you dont know what youre doing as a coach.

Manning still cringes at the memory.

I was dead wrong, he said.

Whats more, young Peyton was in trouble with his own father, Archie.

My dad couldnt hear what I was saying, Manning said. He just saw me pointing my finger at the coach, and he could tell that I was out of line. Made me go over to the coachs house that night and apologize. I remember I was crying. I was bawling and my dad was saying, Im not going to let you play next week.

The coach was very nice, accepted my apology and said, No, I want you to play. It was a good learning lesson for me of whats right and whats wrong, being coachable and keeping your mouth shut. That was the most valuable lesson in that. My dad straightened me out real quick.

When it came to high school coaches in Louisiana, Billy Fitzgerald was larger than life. He was the head coach of two sports at Newman High for a combined 60 years, with his teams winning five state titles in basketball and two in baseball.

The 6-foot-5 Coach Fitz was a commanding presence whose decisions from the sideline or dugout were seldom questioned.

Then along came Manning.

Peyton, left, and Eli Manning visit Newman School in New Orleans, their alma mater, in 2015.

(Jonathan Bachman / Associated Press)

Peyton was a pretty intense, competitive personality as well, Keck said. I always thought to myself, man, when coach Fitz is upset you just kind of nod your head and, How soon can we move on and get out of here? Peyton, he would butt heads with him. He would go after him, they would get into it with each other. They were very competitive.

Those who played basketball probably noticed the most tension between those two. It was all healthy. It was all in the pursuit of excellence. But I remember they would get into it, and I was like, man, hes the guy who makes me run wind sprints. Im not going to fight with that guy. I just tried to get out of there as quickly as I could. I didnt have the guts to have words and decide I had something to say back to him.

Then there was the time Manning and his Newman baseball teammates were on the road for a tournament and stayed in a motel the night before their semifinal game. Fitzgerald reminded them to grab towels because theyd be showering before their five-hour bus ride home.

When Manning got off the bus to get a towel, Stibbs asked him to grab him one too. Prankster Peyton returned with a towel for himself and a tiny washcloth for his pal.

Flanked by coach Tony Dungy, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning celebrates his first Super Bowl victory.

(Chris OMeara / Associated Press)

That was fine and funny until Newman blew a big lead and lost a game it shouldnt have lost. Fitzgerald was fuming. The disappointed team, sheepish and silent, hit the showers, and Peytons friend brought his washcloth, figuring hed quietly exchange it for the full-sized towel of some unlucky freshman.

The towel swap happened, but the guy who wound up with the terrycloth postage stamp was the hotheaded coach Fitz, who emerged from the showers naked, soaked and steaming mad. He demanded to know who had left him with a washcloth.

I remember looking over at Peyton sitting in the corner, and he was just hunkered down, Stibbs said. He wouldnt look at anybody. And I remember thinking, You almost got us killed because of your little prank. We still tell that story every time we get together once a year. Its etched into all of our memories.

Mannings defense can be summed up in three words: not my fault.

That was on Stibbs, he said. I was simply pulling a prank on my friend. It should not have gotten to the head coach. So thats all on Stibbs. Im not taking the heat for that one.

Manning was no stranger to mischief.

When we werent water-ballooning cars at Thads house as teenagers, we did a lot of prank calling, Montgomery said. This was prior to Caller ID when you could actually get away with calling someone and acting as if you were someone else.

It was always better to prank call a parent, because they were nave and gullible and easier to go through with it, versus a peer who was going to recognize your voice.

Some of the most memorable gags involved Manning posing as a reporter for a publication that specialized in rating high school football players for fans and college recruiters.

He had this idea that we would call some players dads of one of our rival teams and act as if we were of Blue Chip magazine inquiring about their son, Montgomery said. So Peyton would get on the phone and call someones dad, an acquaintance, and act as if he was someone inquiring about their son.

Hey, I hear your sons a rising senior and a football player, can you tell me a little bit about him? These dads just took it hook, line and sinker. Everybody wants their son to be the next great athlete. So [the dad would say], Oh, yeah, he plays both ways, linebacker, running back. Runs well. Works out in the weight room.

We would just pry and ask the most ridiculous questions and get into, What does he power clean? Does he wear a neck roll? Does he wear a Breathe Right? Just see how far we could go with it. We got some good laughs out of it.

It worked until it didnt. Manning was nabbed when he left a voice message for someone and that person recognized the voice.

He got in trouble, Montgomery said. I think Archie received a phone call, and he had to apologize to these dads for those prank calls.

Manning is the son of an NFL star quarterback. His genetics certainly helped. But he didnt stroll into high school as a phenomenal athlete. He was slow and skinny, and it was his relentless work ethic that molded him into the player he became.

People make assumptions that because Peyton had all the success he had that he was born fast, born able to jump high, strong, Teaford said.

But we used to do a speed camp with the track coach when we were in the eighth grade. There was a heavyset guy who would run with us, and Peyton was running with him. In eighth grade he was probably close to a [6-second-flat 40-yard dash].

When we went into the weight room, he practically couldnt lift the bar. Its a testament to who he is. Its not where he started, its where he got to in the end that matters. I bet by his senior year he was probably running a 4.9[-second] 40 and I know he used to talk all the time about how much stronger he got at Tennessee. Its pretty amazing. Its not like he was born with that talent.

Manning routinely would gather his receivers for impromptu workouts, and it was always with a purpose, not just to toss around the ball. Keck, who was a tight end, remembers the quarterback directing him to run five-yard out routes over and over.

I didnt understand that the five-and-out was critically important for spreading out the defense, Keck said. All I knew was it was the most boring play ever. Youre going to catch it and go out of bounds or get killed. Youre going to get four, maybe five yards if you catch it.

I would do it 18, maybe 20 times and I was like, This is so boring. Can we do different routes? Can we do a post or a long touchdown catch? But he understood the strategic nature of the timing of that route with each receiver. He was probably working on making sure that as soon as I swung my head around the ball was right there. Meanwhile, Im just complaining. My feet hurt. I dont want to catch another five-and-out. Its just not that fun.

Retired NFL quarterbacks Peyton Manning, left, and brother Eli have enjoyed post-football time on the golf course.

(Eric Risberg / Associated Press)

The lesson?

He got to this point where he decided he was going to be the best, and he just put his head down, Keck said. He out-prepares anybody.

Manning will be up on that stage in Canton, but his high school teammates and friends in the audience will feel as if theyre standing right beside him.

Its been a long journey for all of us, Stibbs said. Weve been going to the games when he was in Knoxville in college every year. For the 18 years that he was with the Colts. In Denver, we would go to games every year. It almost feels like were going in with him. Weve been part of that whole experience, that whole journey where its consumed our lives too.

Said Montgomery: Selfishly, I dont think we ever wanted him to retire. Its such a part of the last 20-plus years, whether it was going to Denver or Indy or some other NFL town to go watch him play, and how proud we were to be a part of it, and our families a part of it, whether its our spouses or kids.

We knew five years after retirement he was going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and here it is. Its crazy to kind of put that cherry on top.

Hes exceeded expectations every step along the way.

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Stories behind ascension of Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning - Los Angeles Times