Ex-Tom Brady teammate relives iconic 'Statue of Liberty' play with Peyton Manning in new Omaha Productions film
Olivia House
Published Sep 20, 2026
NFL icon Peyton Manning has reconnected with ex-Denver Broncos teammate Wes Welker to recall the fabled Statue of Liberty play the wide receiver once pulled off with Tom Brady.
Manning and Welker dived into the trick play's origin for the latest episode of the five-time NFL MVP's docuseries Peyton's Places, which will premiere on ESPN+ Sunday at 12 am ET.
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The two retired NFL stars first visited Liberty Island in New York City for a tour of the actual Statue of Liberty, The U.S. Sun learned while previewing the show's upcoming release.
As they did, Welker, 42, shocked Manning, 47, with vast knowledge of the sculpture's history.
In return, the ex-quarterback provided facts about the football play of the same name, invented by legendary University of Chicago coach Amos Alonzo Stagg.
Manning explained it's called the Statue of Liberty because the QB typically strikes a pose similar to the sculpture as he fakes a pass before handing the ball off to a runner behind his back.
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The 14-time Pro Bowler then revealed his favorite Statue of Liberty play was the one that led to Welker's touchdown for the unbeaten New England Patriots in the 2008 NFL Playoffs.
The Patriots performed a reverse version of the play as Brady hopped up with his left arm up and did a 180 before turning back around and launching a laser to the unguarded wide receiver.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion would later joke he expected to receive an Academy Award for his theatrics on the field that left the Jaguars defense lost.
New England beat Jacksonville 31-20 in that game and later reached the Super Bowl before losing the title to the New York Giants.
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Manning and Welker – who now serves as the wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins – wrapped up by teaming up with a group of volunteers to run the iconic play on Liberty Island.
They executed an upgraded kind featuring two Statue of Liberty poses with two fake passes and a fake hand-off as the two ex-Broncos teammates exchanged lateral passes.
Finally, Manning shared his feelings about the unique play.
"I love the Statue of Liberty play," he said.
"Just like this country, it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from. If you have the guts to stake your claim, you can succeed."
Manning devoted the entire Peyton's Places episode to trick plays.
He later spoke with former NFL player-turned-magician Jon Dorenbos about the invention of the flea flicker.
