It seems like a match made in Heaven: the magnetic personality of one of the NFL’s all-time greats broadcasting national games. However, it will not happen.
Turn on your television or radio and you will witness the trend. Athletes that stop playing but start talking about sports. Some, such as Mike Golic and Troy Aikman, do well. Others require turning the volume down while watching. Still, it happens.
Newly-retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is making the jump from playing the game to analysis on CBS. It was a shock to the sports world when announced. Then people, such as myself, started thinking about a player that would be great in such a role, but one we have not heard of since he retired from the game we loved watching him play. Yet, all we hear is crickets regarding him.
Well, do not anticipate hearing him from the booth any time soon, because Peyton Manning has other plans.
Think about it. It is a great fit. Manning would be fantastic in the booth. His knowledge, charisma, boyish charm, and respect from officials would be refreshing. Plus, his degree from the University of Tennessee was in Speech Communications. Just look at his performance on Saturday Night Live. If you have not seen the videos, hit up YouTube. We can wait……
Now, that is funny.
But, that is not what Manning is looking for now. John Ourand, writer for the Sports Business Journal, joined the hosts of Good Morning Football on Wednesday, and said that all reports suggest that Manning “has no interest in being a sports broadcaster,” sighting the travel as a reason. So, what is he to do?
Manning has an eye for business. He performed in commercials for Papa Johns, and worked closely with the community in Indianapolis. His charity, known as The Payback Foundation, efforts to help disadvantaged kids in Tennessee and Indiana. And, the children’s hospital in Indianapolis was renamed after the NFL great.
It makes sense that Manning wants to continue working in the NFL, and being a general manager for a team would be a great option. His understanding of offense and defense are assets in terms of forming a team. Could friend and former boss John Elway bring Manning into the fold in Denver? Only time will tell.
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Fact is, the NFL can wait on Peyton Manning. When he is ready to make the next move, he will let them know.