INDIANAPOLIS - Following the Colts' sixth straight defeat of the season to the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday, star quarterback Peyton Manning has told fans: "screw this neck brace, I'm ready to play some football."
Manning, who recently underwent neck surgery for a 5-month-old injury, was forced to endure the 27-17 loss from the stands. After the fourth-quarter, Manning boldly insisted: "I just can't take it any more."
"I don't care what the doctor says," said the 35-year-old. "As soon as week seven hits, I'm getting back on that field and I'm getting it done myself!"
Manning, who recently underwent neck surgery for a 5-month-old injury, was forced to endure the 27-17 loss from the stands. After the fourth-quarter, Manning boldly insisted: "I just can't take it any more."
"I don't care what the doctor says," said the 35-year-old. "As soon as week seven hits, I'm getting back on that field and I'm getting it done myself!"
To the bewilderment of other members of the Colts' roster, Manning entered the locker room following Sunday's defeat and declared: "All right, guys! New target date for my return: October 23rd. This Sunday. Against The Saints. Enough is enough."
Despite numerous objections from team members and his family, a pumped up Manning insisted that “even an injured Peyton Manning is a game-changer. I’m not going to wither away in the stands while everyone else drops the ball.”
Despite numerous objections from team members and his family, a pumped up Manning insisted that “even an injured Peyton Manning is a game-changer. I’m not going to wither away in the stands while everyone else drops the ball.”
"Look, guys; the way I see it, we've lost six in a row this season. This would never have happened if I'd been on the field this whole time. You know it, and I know it.”
Though the NFL has strict rules against players taking the field in a semi-crippled condition, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suggested that there may be some wiggle room on the issue.
“Of course our number one priority is player safety. Period.” He said. “But our number two priority is revenue stream. No one is watching the game in our 2012 Superbowl City, and we can’t have that.”
A determined Manning reported for training on Monday, where he signed autographs for hundreds of newly inspired fans. When asked whether or not he would actually play Manning, Head Coach Jim Caldwell responded meekly, “Well, it is Peyton. I’m only his coach. This one is out of my hands.”
A determined Manning reported for training on Monday, where he signed autographs for hundreds of newly inspired fans. When asked whether or not he would actually play Manning, Head Coach Jim Caldwell responded meekly, “Well, it is Peyton. I’m only his coach. This one is out of my hands.”