Peyton Manning
IN PHOTO: Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reacts as he sits on the ground after being sacked in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Reuters/Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The July 16 shooting that happened at the local military recruitment centre in Chattanooga, Tennessee which killed five servicemen, has deeply affected Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning that he has decided to open the “Chattanooga Heroes Fund” in honour of the victims of the brutal assault and to support their families. The fund is very personal for the famed Denver football player as the city is close to his heart.

"Our family has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the great city of Chattanooga, and it has a very special place in our hearts," Peyton Manning said in a press statement released by the Denver Broncos official Web site.

Payton Manning had spent a good number of his teenage years in Tennessee, where he completed his college degree in Bachelor of Arts at the University of Tennessee. It’s also where he gained his first football stardom when he played for the Tennessee Volunteers football team.

Despite being drafted to play football with the Denver Colorado’s Broncos, Manning always makes sure to return to his roots and Chattanooga never fails to make it to his list of cities to visit in Tennessee. Back in July of 2014, the 39-year old five-time MVP spent some days in the city to film a commercial with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., who runs its chain of insurance agencies across Chattanooga, at the city’s Finley Stadium.

According to USA Today, Manning received some jabs from his teammates for his commercial (see video below), where he sang about the taste of chicken to the tune of Nationwide’s jingle. However, the football star was clearly happy to get back to Finley, which is the home stadium for the football team of the University of Tennessee.

Peyton Manning also co-owns the Chattanooga-based training facility called “D1 Sports Training” with Will Bartholomew, CEO and president. Stack magazine featured the quarterback on its September 2007 issue when he went back to the facility, where he frequented during college years, to train for the Super Bowl off-season.

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Source:YouTube/ Nationwide

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