Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year award.

Manning has been in fine form for the Broncos so far this season, leading the team to the top of the AFC West with an 11-3 record.

The veteran quarterback is on course to break the single-season record for touchdown passes having already thrown 47, just three short of Tom Brady's all-time mark with two games left to play.

In winning the award, Manning follows in the footsteps of a number of fellow NFL quarterbacks including Brady, Joe Montana, Brett Favre and Drew Brees.

The 37-year-old takes the honour from Miami Heat star LeBron James, who won it last year.