It is almost certain that Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning won't start the season on Sunday due to issues with his neck. This will force a team Manning has been on to start someone other than him (in a meaningful game) for the first time since Sept. 24, 1994.
↵Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton remembers that day well since it marked the beginning of the end of his football career. Helton, in his junior season, was the backup to Jerry Colquitt and just ahead of highly-touted freshman Peyton Manning for the Tennessee Volunteers.
↵Early into the first game of the season, Helton was forced into action after Colquitt went down with a season-ending injury. Three games later, Helton was still the starter on Sept. 24, when they faced the Mississippi St. Bulldogs. Helton left the game with a knee injury, allowing the Peyton Manning era to begin (Manning played somewhat in the previous games, but this marked his ascent to the top of the depth chart).
↵Sports Illustrated's photo vault has Helton in action.
↵H/T to NFL Network's Albert Breer for the trivia on Manning.