American football: Manning breaks NFL touchdown record

Peyton Manning (18) passes for a touchdown in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers...
Peyton Manning (18) passes for a touchdown in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Denver quarterback Peyton Manning broke Brett Favre's National Football League record for career touchdown passes today when he threw his 509th scoring pass during the second quarter of the Broncos' game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Manning's eight-yard pass was caught in the end zone by Demaryius Thomas to eclipse the record of 508 touchdowns Brett Favre set in 2010 while playing for the Minnesota Vikings.

Manning acknowledged rapturous applause from the home crowd, who rose as one to salute the 38-year-old.

Favre needed 302 games to set the previous record, while Manning broke the mark in just 246 games -- 208 with the Indianapolis Colts and 38 with Denver.

Favre was among the first to congratulate Manning on his Twitter page.

"Well deserved Peyton," he tweeted. "Congratulations on breaking my record. Onto600."

NBA players LeBron James and Kevin Durant also offered their congratulations.

"Legend. OneOfTheGreats," tweeted James.

Added Durant: "We take him for granted because he's so consistent but we are witnessing a living legend!"

Manning missed the entire 2011 season with a serious, potentially career-ending neck injury that required multiple surgeries.

Manning, who started Sunday's game needing three touchdowns to overtake Favre, wasted little time making his mark, notching touchdowns in the first quarter to Emmanuel Sanders then Wes Welker to tie Favre's record.

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