Colts Releases Quarterback Peyton Manning

Colts Releases Quarterback Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts ended their partnership on Wednesday, when team owner Jim Irsay released the star quarterback rather than pay a huge amount of $28 million bonus while there are lingering questions about his health.

"We all know that nothing lasts forever," Manning said. "Times change, circumstances change, and that's the reality of playing in the NFL."

Manning and Irsay each fought tears at a news conference at the Colts' team complex. It was an unusual and awkward scene for the two men whose NFL lives have been so closely intertwined. "This has not been easy for Jim," Manning said, "and this has certainly not been easy for me."

Allegedly, Indianapolis needed to oust Manning to avoid paying him a bonus from the $90 million, five-year contract he signed in July, although both owner and player insisted the decision was not really about finances.

Team owner Jim Irsay used the word "rebuilding" repeatedly and acknowledged: "We're definitely a few years away."

The announcement was made in a room at the Colts' complex normally reserved for important news conferences, such as the hiring a new coach or general manager, two other major steps Irsay took recently.  The room’s atmosphere is that of giving honor to some of the team's greatest stars, including, of course, Manning himself, with Pro Football Hall of Famer members Eric Dickerson and John Mackey at his either sides.

It was quite obvious that it was not an easy goodbye for Manning. His voice even quivered while discussing all of the Colts employees he'll no longer be around.  "I think about those type of relationships – not necessarily always on the field, and the touchdown throw to win the game. It's the behind the scenes. The laughs. The stories. The times spent together. Those are the memories. Those aren't going away. Those will be with me for the rest of my life."

This marks the end of a strong marriage between a player and team.

Posted by Andre Monohan on Friday March 09 2012, 4:37 AM EST. Ref: Google. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0