The first time Peyton Manning appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, he was still a college kid. The year was 1997, and although Manning had yet to begin his NFL journey, he exuded confidence on stage.

When Letterman asked Manning why he was still in school, Manning explained and then he quipped, "Just like your great senior year at Ball State!" That was followed by Letterman's classic laugh.

Of course, Manning came back to Letterman's show, time and time again. And on Wednesday night, Manning made one final appearance on Letterman's final show.

The final episode of the Late Show with David Letterman included its last top-10 list. With the list centered around the "Things I've Always Wanted to Say to Dave," it called for 10 different celebrities to make an appearance on stage and add their contribution to the list.

No. 3 belonged to Manning.

And here's the complete top-10 list:

10. Alec Baldwin: "Of all the talk shows, yours was the most geographically convenient to my home."

9. Barbara Walters: "Did you know you wear the same cologne as Moammar Gadhafi?"

8. Steve Martin: "Your extensive plastic surgery was a necessity and a mistake."

7. Jerry Seinfeld: "I have no idea what I'll do when you go off the air. You know, I just thought of something. I'll be fine."

6. Jim Carrey: "Honestly, Dave, I've always found you to be a bit of an over-actor."

5. Chris Rock: "I'm just glad your show is being given to another white guy."

4. Julia Louis-Dreyfus: "Thanks for letting me take part in another hugely disappointing series finale."

3. Peyton Manning: "You are to comedy what I am to ... comedy."

2. Tina Fey: "Thanks for finally proving men can be funny."

1. Bill Murray: "Dave, I'll never have the money I owe you."

More than 15 years after his first appearance, Manning showed up for the finale. (CBS)