Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay responded to Peyton Manning’s comments from earlier in the week with a few comments of his own. Irsay was not happy with the way Manning portrayed the Colts in a negative light. Now, Manning is back at the mic and fired back with some more comments of his own in another interview with Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star.
Manning tried to clear up his comments and wanted to make it very clear that wants to keep things professional and does not want anything to get personal with Irsay. Manning told Kravitz via phone:
“At this point, Mr. Irsay and I owe it to each other and to the fans of the organization to handle this appropriately and professionally, and I think we will.
“I’ve already reached out to Mr. Irsay. I wasn’t trying to paint the Colts in a bad light, but it’s tough when so many people you’ve known for so long are suddenly leaving. I feel very close to a lot of these guys and we’ve done great things together. It’s hard to watch an old friend clean out his office. That’s all I was trying to say.
“I just want to keep rehabbing and working hard, and when the time is right for Mr. Irsay and I to sit down, I look forward to a healthy conversation about my future. I’ve worked too hard and have such great respect and have so many great relationships inside the building and out, and it’s incredibly important that those remain.
“I want to separate the personal and the business. I’ve seen it get personal in other situations, and I don’t want that to happen here.”
This has gotten too ugly. Both sides need to agree that it is best to move on. The Colts are clearly going to take Andrew Luck with the top pick, so they are preparing for the future. They should just part ways with Manning and let him go on his way.
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