Not only is retired Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning revered for his record-setting skills in the game of football; he's becoming known for his integrity, as well.
Another great story about Peyton Manning hit the papers this week, bringing with it another round of attention to the beloved quarterback's character -- and for good reason.“Peyton’s next-to-last year, the Broncos were facing the Dolphins in Denver and the whole game was a struggle for them," Butch Hannah, a retired NFL referee, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. “I called back two Denver touchdowns. But they pulled it out by two or three points [39-36]. But late in the game, the clock [was] about to run out, Peyton mistimed a snap and they had to run one more play. Peyton said something off-color to me, which was not at all like him."
That's when Hannah, who had known Manning since the player's college days in the SEC, called him on it.
“I told him, ‘Peyton, you’re better than that.'”
A couple weeks later, Hannah received a package in the mail via the NFL's New York City offices. He opened it to find an apology letter from Manning.
"He said he wanted to apologize for his reaction to me that day against the Dolphins," Hannah said. "Would I please accept his apology? That's the only time that's happened to me in all my years of officiating."
The following fall, Hannah found himself in Seattle, serving as a referee for the Broncos' pre-season game against the Seahawks. Prior to the game, Manning approached Hannah and threw an arm over his shoulder.
He asks me, ‘Did you get my card?’" Hannah shared. "I said, ‘Peyton, you’ve got to let this go.’ He says, ‘You have no idea how upset I was with myself.’ That’s the kind of son Archie and Olivia raised. Pretty impressive.”
This kind of classy behavior is no surprise to long-time fans. Stories of Manning's generosity and upstanding character are nothing new to the media.
But sometimes it doesn't hurt to be reminded about the genuinely good people in the world -- the ones who own their mistakes and then take the extra step to do what's right.
What are your thoughts? Do you have a favorite story about Peyton Manning? We'd love to read your comments below!
