Near the peak of the Great Recession, Peyton Manning got laid off. Like millions of Americans before him, he was an aging, highly paid specialist with medical issues. As is often the case, there was a younger, less expensive employee waiting in the wings, ready to bring new energy and skills to the position. Having worked for the Indianapolis Colts for 14 years, he qualified for state unemployment benefits of $390 / week, plus the additional $25 / week from the Federal Government, which considers Indiana a distressed state.  Fortunately, Peyton had a well established network, and was able to line up more than a few job interviews.  He eventually landed a solid position in Denver, Colorado where his years of experience were more important than his high salary and insurance premiums.  A lot has changed in the employment scene over the past 5 years, but exceptional character and relentless work ethic still count for something.