The Hall of Famer spent 14 years with the Colts, leading them to a Super Bowl XLI championship over the Chicago Bears, the franchise’s first Super Bowl win since moving from Baltimore in 1984.
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But when it comes nurturing his public image, there’s no denying he’s an absolute genius.
“Dearest Eli”, the younger Manning reads, “I’ve now won as many Super Bowls as you have”. In his letter to Jeter, Peyton jokingly declares the ex-MLB star his favorite NY athlete, even though his sibling plays in the Big Apple too.
There were plenty of Peyton references throughout the night.
A video “honoring” Peyton Manning aired at the ESPYs Wednesday night; Manning retired this year and received an Icon Award at the event.
The New England Patriots quarterback appeared in a segment poking fun at his longtime rival, Peyton Manning, whose love of writing letters was the subject of a Gatorade commercial earlier this year. Well, as long as they don’t rip him out of the ground.
Archie Manning reads correspondence from Peyton that begins, “Dear Dad”.
Eli is further teased in a letter to Yankees great Derek Jeter.
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Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers is offered a money-making opportunity that “is definitely not a pyramid scheme”. “I just want you to know I think of you like a brother”, the letter says. You are as important a member of the Manning family as any of us.
