Sponsorships sold for up to $100,000. To raise that kind of money, its best not to overlook what Peyton Manning does for our community. His Peyback Foundation that helps so many disadvantaged youth made Manning a worthy award winner.
But perhaps what Manning has done most for the community is live here.
Peyton Manning is as big as it gets – turn on the TV and stay for the commercials -- and he’s one of ours. Has been since he signed with the Broncos as a free agent in 2012.
“The game is important to me, I’m a staunch defender of the game,’’ Manning said. “To stay close to it and do it in a fun way, work with Eli (on the Monday night Manningcast) and bring out the positives of the game but still be a part of our kids’ lives on the weekends.
“I mean, my daughter Mosley plays volleyball and I go to her games like 4 to 5 on Mondays and I drive over to my buddy’s garage and get to call a Monday Night Football game. That doesn’t make a lot of sense. And for some reason they renewed us.
“And this year we’re going to add Bill Belicick. Explain that.’’
As Manning was wrapping up his Hall of Fame quarterback career by guiding the Broncos to Super Bowls to cap the 2013 and 2015 seasons, the NFL world thought sure he would be running a team one day. Or even owning one like his friend and former rival Tom Brady is about to do as a minority investor with the Las Vegas Raiders.
“No, I don’t think that’s anywhere on my radar,’’ Manning said. “I love being an ambassador for the Broncos, and the Colts and the University of Tennessee. Obviously living here I get to go to all the Broncos games.
“I was out at the facility the other day. Our kids do sports in the area around Dove Valley so I’m probably at the facility a couple times a week. Great snacks over there at the cafeteria. I don’t know if I’m getting charged for them or what. But great access. I still have my key fob that still works from when I played. Keith Bishop (the Broncos’ director of security and former Pro Bowl guard) never made that go away so that’s helped me as well.
“I’m still excited about being part of this team and our community. I take seriously that role of being an ambassador for all the teams that I’ve played for but living here in Denver maybe even more so.’’
And yes, Manning endorses the Broncos’ new quarterback, Bo Nix, the team’s first-round draft choice.
“We’ve stayed in touch and I’m super happy for him to be here,’’ Manning said. “I think it’s a great fit for him. I can tell how excited Sean (Payton) is to have Bo.
“Zach Wilson is the one quarterback that I don’t know personally but I reached out to him when he signed. Sounds like they’re going to have great competition over there, that’s always good, makes everybody better. And so the quarterback position is in good shape.
“I think Sean’s system is extremely quarterback friendly. I never played in it but I played against it and I watched it and know the success that Drew Brees had and Tony Romo had. It’s the kind of system that I’d like to play in, it’s very quarterback friendly.”
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