Manning adulation obscures allegations
Mention of Forrest Gump comes during answer on sexual assault question
Was that Peyton Manning up there retiring Monday? Or was it the pope?
At times, it was hard to tell. The reverence, the awe, the adoration. It was remarkable, it was over the top, and it was, sadly, quite predictable.
Manning was a great quarterback, one of the best ever. No one has won more NFLMVP awards than him. No one has passed for more touchdowns or more yards. No starting quarterback had won a Super Bowl with two franchises until he did.
But over the past 21⁄2 months, serious questions have arisen about Manning’s behavior and character, questions that are worthy of answers from a man who has been, and is expected to continue to be, a role model and icon to many thousands, perhaps more. He has built his brand on his reputation. He is a public figure. He matters, and what he has done off the field matters too.
The questions that have recently bubbled to the surface come in the form of a 20- year- old college training room “mooning” incident involving a female trainer working on Manning's foot at the University of Tennessee and a currentday NFL investigation into allegations that he received human growth hormone, a substance banned by the league.
For a half- hour, Manning fought back tears as he was praised by the leaders of the Denver Broncos. “There could not have been a greater example than yourself,” said his coach, Gary Kubiak.
After a video tribute, Manning moved to the lectern for his turn. He was the Manning you know and love: contrite, funny, charming, appreciative.
“God bless all of you,” he said, “and God bless football.”
Then came the questions, 10 in all from members of the news media. Nine were kind and congratulatory, predictable sports- related questions. Nothing new about that. But here is a man who has not spoken publicly about the Tennessee allegations since they set off a social media firestorm last month and has not spoken at length about the HGH allegations since two days after Christmas.
After three football questions, my USA TODAY Sports colleague, Lindsay H. Jones, admirably and appropriately asked this:
“Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of talk about things that happened 20 years ago in your career or in your life. What can you say now about those allegations and how this has maybe overtaken the discussion?”
Manning: “First off, this is a joyous day. Nothing can overtake from this day. I think it is sad that some people don’t understand the truth and the facts and I did not do what has been alleged and I’m not interested in relitigating something that happened when I was 19 years old.
“Kind of likemy dad used to say when I was in trouble, I can’t say it any plainer than that.
“And so this is a joyous day and it’s a special day and like Forrest Gump said, that’s all I have to say about that.”
Asked a serious question about lingering concerns over an allegation of sexual assault, Manning actually chose tomention Forrest Gump.
The room erupted into laughter. Of course it did.
The questions kept coming, all about football or his retirement.
Not surprisingly, there was not a one about HGH.