Peyton Manning talks future of 'ManningCast,' lack of desire to be NFL executive, community service
Don't look for former NFL and Tennessee football star quarterback Peyton Manning to run an NFL team anytime soon.
The Hall of Fame quarterback recently talked to reporters before he received the 2024 Community Enrichment Award from the Mizel Institute. He told reporters he is enjoying doing his "Monday Night Football" alternative broadcast on ESPN, the "ManningCast," with his brother Eli Manning. The show recently won its second Sports Emmy award.
"Eli and I really have a lot of fun doing the show. I think a big reason for that is I do it from here in Denver and he does it from New Jersey," Manning said before being honored for his community work at a banquet. "I think we're very happy about being able to do it and be home on the weekends and be home 10 minutes after the show."
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Manning, who spent his career with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, said he does not anticipate following former NFL quarterback John Elway's path of going from a star on the field to an NFL executive anytime soon.
"No, I don't think that's anywhere on my radar by any means. But look, I love being an ambassador for the Broncos, for the Colts and the University of Tennessee," Manning said.
Manning and his wife Ashley have 13-year-old twins ― Marshall and Mosley ― with whom Manning can spend more time doing the gig for ESPN than if he were an NFL executive.
"Mosley plays volleyball, and I go to her games from like 4 to 5 on Mondays and I drive over to my buddy's garage and get to call a 'Monday Night Football' game," Manning said. "It doesn't really make a lot of sense. And for some reason they've renewed us to do it."
Addition of former rival coach Bill Belichick
In addition to brother Peyton and Eli Manning, "ManningCast" will add former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick to the broadcast starting in the 2024 season. Belichick and Manning had many battles on the football field, as the Indianapolis Colts and Patriots were frequent playoff foes. Belichick and Tom Brady, however, got the better of Manning more often than not.
"So, yeah, and this year we're going to add Bill Belichick. Now, explain that. I was kind of wondering if I've been hit in the head too many times," Manning said jokingly. "He's being courted by the other networks, and I was recruiting a guy that pretty much made a lot of my life miserable."
Peyton Manning and community service
Manning spoke to the media before he received the 2024 Community Enrichment Award for his work in the community. He explained why it's important for him to do this work.
"I'm not sure I'm completely worthy, but community service is something that's always been important to me," Manning said, adding that he was following in father Archie's footsteps and heeding the advice of his former coach Tony Dungy in being involved in the community.
"Once you retire you have more time to do it. So, I've just really enjoyed being a part of this community for the last 12 years and I think we're here for the long haul," Manning added.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Peyton Manning talks future of 'ManningCast', desire to be NFL executive
