After an 18-year career, four Super Bowl appearances, two Super Bowl wins and five NFL Most Valuable Player awards, Peyton Manning deserves a rest and that’s exactly what he’s doing.
Manning was in my neck of the woods this past week getting honored by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame as its Tennessean of the Year. Like all other awards of its type, it was probably a lot more about fundraising and showing off than it was about Manning, but I’m sure he got a nice nicknack to toss in a closet somewhere and forget about.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BG7dcjWpuiH/
Of course anytime Manning crosses the Tennessee border it makes big news around here. Manning’s status in Tennessee is unlike any other athlete from the state or that went to the University of Tennessee. He’s a god among men here with probably more kids named after him than even in Indiana. People loved Manning the whole time he played for the Volunteers from 1994-1998 and the fact that he decided to stay for his senior season, forgoing being the No. 1 pick in the 1997 draft, pretty much meant he’d never have to pay for a meal in Big Orange Country.
Manning knows the pull he has here and has returned to do local, state-wide commercials for years. He even nearly signed with the Tennessee Titans when the Indianapolis Colts let him go before the 2012 season.
Peyton Manning and @josh_dobbs…2013 v 2016: pic.twitter.com/ihCaIPLPGF
— BigHeadBS💨 (@BigHeadBS) June 21, 2016
Now that he’s got a chance to breathe, Manning has plenty of opportunities in front of him beyond hawking pizzas for Papa John’s and singing Nationwide jingles. He’s done none of them, even though I’m sure every NFL-related network has offered him a mint to join their studio crew or provide color for games.
People have speculated that Manning may end up coaching at some point and, to me, that actually makes the most sense. It would keep him close to the game and away from any booth or desk. And while Manning has proved over and over again he has the personality and sense of humor needed to succeed in television, it’d just be a waste for him to do it.
Watch the very cool inspirational video message Peyton Manning sent to an injured Cherokee High School quarterback https://t.co/zIOuTXTWVs
— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) June 21, 2016
There was some conjecture early in the offseason that he might come back to UT to coach quarterbacks for head coach Butch Jones. Jones talked a little about the prospect of Manning coaching back in May.
“We (he and Manning) talk all the time,” Jones told reporters. “And I think anything Peyton Manning does, he’ll be successful. But coaching is a completely different animal than playing, as any great player would tell you. But, again, I welcome him any time he wants to come in to Tennessee and spend time with our players. He’s been great that way. He’s been very willing to do that. We’ve been very fortunate and blessed to have him be a part of our teams, coming and speaking and this year will be the same.”
Manning has also shut down any rumors that he’s coming back to coach… this year.
Peyton Manning: "No I will not be coaching QBs at Tennessee, but I'll be the biggest #Vols fan this year" #MTSA2016
— Austin Stanley (@AustinStanley81) May 27, 2016
But what about next year? It’s not even fall yet and I’m sure Manning’s 40-year-old body is glad he’s not slogging around in the heat at an organized team activity, but when September rolls around, the old itch may come back. Manning has played football every fall since he was a little kid. It’s going to be weird.
“I’m really excited about having a free fall for the first time in 22 years,: Manning told the Associated Press. “I’m going to see my little brother (Eli Manning) play in some normal games as opposed to always seeing him play in a Super Bowl where you can’t breathe until the last play.”
But the fall is on its way.
“Of course the fall, they say, is a whole different deal,” Manning said. “And I can’t tell you until we get there, but… all I will say is I did not get shorted in any way. I got a full plate of football and saw it from lots of different angles. I’m very much at peace with it. I’m actually kind of looking forward to this fall and having a little free time.”
For now.
