NFL: Manning breaks Favre's all-time touchdown pass record

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning broke Brett Favre's iconic NFL record for career touchdown passes on Sunday with his 509th scoring pass in the Bronco's game against San Francisco.

The eight-yard pass caught by Demaryius Thomas was Manning's third of the night.

He came into the contest with 506 TD throws and connected with Emmanuel Sanders with a three-yard scoring pass on Denver's opening drive.

He tied Favre with a 39-yard pass caught by Wes Welker on Denver's second drive.

That record-equalling TD was confirmed after a video review satisfied officials that Welker got the ball into the end zone -- clipping the pylon marking the outside edge of the goal line.

Keyed-up fans erupted when Manning connected with Thomas for a touchdown that with the extra point put the Broncos up 21-3 with 3:09 remaining in the second quarter.

"Broncos fans, you have just witnessed history," the public address announcer at Denver's Mile High stadium intoned as a grinning Manning was congratulated by team-mates on the sidelines.

Five-time NFL Most Valuable Player Manning, whose career once seemed in jeopardy as he battled to return to the field after four neck surgeries, reached the record in his 246th game -- 56 games fewer than Favre.

Manning, 38, and Favre are the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw more than 500 TD passes.

"Well deserved Peyton," the now retired Favre said on Twitter. "Congratulations on breaking my record. #onto600"

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