NFL-Broncos Manning wins fifth MVP award

By Steve Keating NEW YORK, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning claimed his fifth National Football League most valuable player award on Saturday after a record-smashing season. Manning, who will lead the Broncos against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday, was the clear favourite in the MVP race after he set single season marks for touchdown passes (55) and yards (5,477). Manning, who had neck surgery in 2011 and missed the entire season before being released by Indianapolis and signed by Denver in 2012, also won the award in 2009, 2008, 2004 and shared it with Steve McNair in 2003. No one other than Manning had won MVP honours four-times and only quarterbacks Johnny Unitas, Brett Favre and running back Jim Brown have captured the award three occasions. (Editing by Greg Stutchbury)