alternatehistory.com

Introduction

“Picked off! Look out! Gets past Manning, and it’s Tracy Porter taking it all the way! Touchdown New Orleans!”

The very famous call of the New Orleans Saints clinching their first ever Super Bowl. The call that still haunts Peyton Manning.

Peyton Manning’s Sit-Down Interview, first since his retirement.

Question: Do you still remember that play?
PM: Of course. It’s funny. I’ve had hundreds of famous plays throughout my career that was successful. But I can barely remember any of them, and I can still hear that call.

Question: Was the fan response from Indianapolis a reason why you left?
PM: Looking back of it, of course they had every right to be angry with me. But at the time, I felt like they turned their backs on me, and that made me feel like it was time to leave.

A very famous viral photo of the team arriving in Indianapolis following the Super Bowl 44 loss, of a fan flipping off Peyton Manning as he walked by the barrier.

Question: What brought you to Dallas?
PM: It’s funny. The first week they weren’t even on the radar. Indianapolis was pitching to me, Miami had an interest, and even the Arizona Cardinals, since [Kurt] Warner had retired. I was between the Colts and Cardinals, when Jerry Jones called.

Question: How did he lure you to signing with them?
PM: He pitched that with me they were easily a Super Bowl team. I had my doubts, the roster was good, probably better than Indianapolis but even then I still didn’t see us winning a Super Bowl right away. But Jerry kept his passion about being a top team every year. He did a little Brown Nosing chuckling saying that I was the best Quarterback in the league. I believed that he believed I was the best option in bringing a ring back to Dallas, so after a while I signed with them.

Question: Did Indianapolis try to match the offer?
PM: It seem liked it was a mutual split. They were the first ones to give me an offer. Which was 4 Years something around 50 Million. Of course, it's never about the money, but it felt weird that I was only worth 50 Million to them. So when it was announced that Dallas had offered me a 5 Year, 70 Million dollar contract, they said they couldn't match it, so it was up to me.

"The Dallas Cowboys have signed Quarterback Peyton Manning to a 5 Year/70 Million Dollar contract today. It's reported that Indianapolis and Dallas are trying to work out a deal to send Quarterback Tony Romo to Indianapolis."

Question: How did Indianapolis take the news?
PM: Everyone in the organization was very supportive. Reggie [Wayne] even said that he might follow me when his contract was up. Everyone gave me their goodbyes, and that was that. Of course, the city itself took it slightly different.

Shots of fans during the preseason with signs all taking shots at Peyton Manning.
Good Riddance Peyton.
Go Choke in Dallas.
Eli is the better Manning anyway.


Author’s Note:
Right, what a surprise, me starting another TL without finishing another. Shrugs, it's my gimmick now. Anyway, going back to this idea, things will be tweaked to give it it's own feel, and I promise that I will finish this one in full. So enjoy as always.
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