Legendary quarterback Peyton Manning has signed on as the honorary chair of Textron Aviation’s 2022 Special Olympics Airlift. In the role, he will be encouraging Cessna Citation, Beechcraft King Air, Beechcraft Premier, Beechjet, and Hawker owners and operators to participate in the airlift, which will transport thousands of athletes and coaches to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games next June in Orlando, Florida.

“The Special Olympics Airlift is an incredible opportunity for the aviation community to give athletes from across the country a memorable experience while getting to the games,” said Manning. “Textron’s support of the airlift is a great example of their commitment to making a real difference.”

Since the first Special Olympics Airlift in 1987, nearly 10,000 athletes and coaches have been transported to Special Olympics World Games and USA Games by aircraft owners across the U.S. With this eighth Airlift, Textron Aviation aims to recruit more than 200 aircraft owners to help transport a portion of the more than 4,000 athletes and coaches invited to Orlando. Inbound flights will be on Saturday, June 4, 2022, with return flights to athletes’ home states on Sunday, June 12, 2022.

“Special Olympics athletes embody grit, perseverance, and greatness, so no one could be better suited to serve as the 2022 honorary chairperson for our Special Olympics Airlift than Peyton Manning,” said Textron Aviation president and CEO Ron Draper. “Many dedicated athletes have worked hard to earn their spot at the USA Games in Orlando, and we knew the airlift would fit perfectly with Peyton’s experience both on the field as a legendary athlete, but also off the field as an ambassador, advocate, and fundraiser for many worthy causes.”