Announcing his retirement, an emotional Peyton Manning looked back on his 18-year NFL career but even as he prepares to make his exit, allegations of sexual misconduct from 20 years ago when he attended the University of Tennessee continue to dog him.
As he announced his retirement, Manning said he “revered football.”
“I love the game, so you don’t have to wonder if I’ll miss it,” Manning said. “Absolutely I will. I’m totally convinced that the end of my football career is just the beginning of something I haven’t even discovered yet. Life is not shrinking for me. It’s morphing into a whole new world of possibilities.”
Manning even quoted the Bible’s 2nd Timothy 4:17. But it was Manning’s other quote that raised eyebrows.
During the Q&A after his announcement, the allegations that he sexually abused trainer Jamie Naughright at Tennessee were broached once again.
Manning unequivocally said he did not do what was alleged, adding he is “not interested in re-litigating” something that happened when he was 19-years old.
“First off,” the famed Bronco quarterback said, “this is a joyous day and nothing can overtake from this day. I think it is sad some people don’t understand the truth and the facts. I did not do what has been alleged. I’m not interested in re-litigating something that happened when I was 19 years old. I can’t say it any plainer than that.”
Then, invoking the Tom Hanks vehicle, Manning added, “Like Forrest Gump said, ‘That’s all I have to say about that.”
According to allegations made by the alleged victim, in 1996 Manning exposed himself to the woman as she examined a foot injury he sustained.
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com