Peyton Manning retired, but 'Omaha!' lives on with the Broncos
Broncos offense won't retire 'Omaha!' even if their QB is gone
Peyton Manning's legacy was never in question. In Indianapolis, he'll be remembered as a Super Bowl and MVP-caliber quarterback. In Denver, he'll be remembered as both, as well.
Another aspect of Manning's Hall of Fame career will live on with the Broncos. It turns out "Omaha!" isn't going away just because Manning retired.
#Broncos still using Omaha. Peyton's memories will live forever out here.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) June 9, 2016
If you've seen Manning play, you know the word. You know when Manning used it -- pretty much every time he stepped up to the line of scrimmage to adjust a play.
He used it so much, Omaha, the city, felt like it needed to thank him.
We certainly appreciate all the love from #PeytonManning :) #OmahaOmaha
— Official Omaha Info (@VisitOmaha) January 12, 2014
It's so catchy, President Barack Obama even decided to adopt "Omaha" as his call-sign when the Broncos visited the White House.
"OMAHA!" - @POTUS
— NFL (@NFL) June 6, 2016
😂😂😂 https://t.co/bWZHWNi0Yk
It isn't just mumbo jumbo, though. Manning didn't use it for the sake of weirdness. In January 2014, Manning finally explained what it means.
"I know a lot of people ask what Omaha means ...," Manning said. "Omaha is a run play, but it could be a pass play or a play-action pass, depending on a couple things: which way we're going, the quarter, and the jerseys that we're wearing. It varies, really, from play to play. So, there's your answer to that one."
Just kidding. He dodged giving us a meaningful answer, which makes sense given he used it roughly 84 times a game.

Thankfully, his brother Eli filled us in a year ago.
"So Omaha was in the playbook," Eli Manning said, via Giants.com. "There was actually a sheet that said 'Omaha' at the top, and basically 'Omaha' was maybe we change the play, or maybe when I was changing protection, or [David] Diehl had to tie his shoe or something and was taking forever and the play clock's running down. And 'Omaha' just told everybody to put their hand in the ground, shut up, and the ball's about to be snapped.
"So I would say 'Omaha' and I would say it again and then say 'set hut' and do whatever you think you need to be doing and let's go play football."
But this past January, Reggie Wayne -- a frequent target of Manning during their Colts days -- gave a different interpretation.
"Omaha means, he's going the other way," Wayne said. "If it's a run to the right -- if it's dive right, 'Omaha' is gonna be dive left."
So basically, we have no idea what it means. That's good news for the Broncos, who apparently aren't retiring "Omaha" despite Manning's absence. Unfortunately for Mark Sanchez and Paxton Lynch, fans will be constantly reminded of Manning when they're forced to shout Manning's catch phrase at the line of scrimmage.
















