Peyton Manning in Cooperstown? Todd Helton extends invite to Tennessee football teammate

Todd Helton was with Peyton Manning in the Tennessee football quarterback room and in the city of Denver as two of the city's superstars.

Now, the future member of the Baseball Hall of Fame is open to Manning joining him in Cooperstown, New York, when he is inducted on July 21.

"Absolutely. ... If he wants to come, bring his son, whatever, he is more than welcome to come," Helton said on MLB Network after his election was announced Tuesday. "Everybody is welcome to come."

Helton stated he had talked to Manning earlier Tuesday, when he was announced as the first Vols baseball product to be elected to the Hall of Fame. He is one of three members of the 2024 class, joining third baseman Adrian Beltre and catcher Joe Mauer.

Peyton Manning has message for Todd Helton

The Rockies picked the perfect narrator for Helton's hall of fame video: Manning.

Both are Tennessee legends and went on to be pro heroes in the city of Denver. And now, they're both in their respective sports hall of fame.

"17 years, each of those days dedicated to one team, one city, one fanbase," Manning said in the video. "And now, at last, a Hall of Famer. Todd, congratulations on your induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

"Congratulations, pal."

Todd Helton, Peyton Manning were Tennessee football teammates

Helton took over the starting quarterback position for the Vols as a junior when starter Jerry Colquitt suffered an injury in the season opener. Manning was behind Helton on the depth chart as a freshman, but stepped into the spot when Helton suffered an injury later in the season.

Helton appeared in 12 games during his career with the Vols, completing 41 of 75 passes for 484 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Manning, of course, went on to have a legendary Tennessee career. Manning rewrote the Tennessee record book during his four years as a Vol when he was 39-6 as the starting quarterback. He holds the record for passing yards with 11,201 yards and passing touchdowns with 89.

Helton likewise rewrote the Tennessee baseball record book. Helton hit .370 with 38 homers, 238 RBIs and 199 runs at UT. His RBI total ranks first in program history as does his 147 walks. He ranks second in runs, hits with 280, doubles with 65, extra-base hits with 114 and total bases with 481.

Todd Helton, Peyton Manning overlapped in Denver

Helton was picked by the Colorado Rockies as the No. 8 overall pick in the 1995 MLB Draft out of Tennessee. The Knoxville Central graduate played 17 years with the Rockies, hitting .316 and holding franchise records for games played (2,247), hits (2,519), runs (1,401), home runs (369), and RBI (1,406).

He retired in 2013 by which time Manning had joined the Denver Broncos after 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, who picked Manning No. 1 overall in the 1998 NFL Draft.

Manning led the Broncos to the 2015 Super Bowl title in one of his four seasons in Denver.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Todd Helton open to Peyton Manning coming to Baseball Hall of Fame