When Peyton Manning makes his annual visit to offseason workouts at Tennessee, the reactions range from calculated cool to tongue tied.
"Some people are very much not impressed, which is fine," Manning says. "Some people are a little bit possibly awestruck. I get a lot of 'Yes, sirs' and 'No, sirs' which I'm not comfortable with that.
"I had a kid last year tell me he likes watching me play on ESPN Classic. I'm not comfortable with that, either," he joked. "I don't think I'm that old. ESPN Classic to me is Jets-Colts 1967. It's not Tennessee-Georgia 1995."
When Manning, the former Tennessee quarterback and NFL MVP with the Indianapolis Colts, drops in on voluntary offseason workouts inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center like he did on Monday afternoon, it's guaranteed to bring some kind of reaction.
For Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, it doesn't get much better than knowing his team is working out alongside Manning and Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, another former Vol on hand for Monday afternoon's workout.
"It's really neat to see, and we really open our doors up to all former players to be around and work out and be around our guys and keep the great tradition of the Tennessee family," Kiffin said. "Peyton's so good with the guys, working with them and coaching them and teaching them. It's great to have them around."
It's at least the second time Manning has met with Kiffin and UT's new staff face-to-face in the last six months. But he's made many more trips back to his alma mater to work out with players in the offseason. In fact, the tradition even predates Manning's time at Tennessee.
And his annual visit is another way that Manning - who endows an academic scholarship and whose charitable foundation donates thousands of dollars to East Tennessee charities - gives back to Tennessee.
"I do enjoy it because I remember when I was in college, whether it was Heath Shuler coming back or various NFL guys coming back, it was a big deal to be around them and to ask them questions," said Manning, who added that several other former Vols like Al Wilson and Jamal Lewis also have come back from time to time. "And for them just to spend time working out with us and talking to us. I remember the impact that had on me as a young player.
"I enjoy doing it, and if I can help Jonathan Crompton with some things or Eric Berry - he doesn't need a lot of help at all - with some things, I enjoy doing that. I think that's kind of part of being a good ambassador for the university, and other players do it as well. I think it's important that the players of yesteryear still continue to help the guys of tomorrow."
For the quarterbacks, it's a first-hand chance to learn from the school's all-time leading passer and one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.
"We can't be down there working with them, so who better to be down there working with them than probably the best quarterback to ever play the game?" Kiffin said. "I couldn't imagine a better situation than having him back here."
Manning said he likes the Vols' enthusiasm and energy, even as he continues to build a relationship with a new group of coaches.
"I'm kind of getting to know their system and their philosophies like the current players are," Manning said. "It's going to be a tough, challenging season. The SEC in my opinion has gotten just like the NFL. Anybody can beat anybody on any given Saturday or Sunday. Unbelievably competitive. It's going to be a challenge, but I know this group is working hard, which I think is really important at this point in time."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 42
dvols writes:
a true VOL
thanks
im just sayin
AllVol1 writes:
Unite, oh brothers and sisters!
Unite all ye orange and white!
Unite upon the glorious Rocky Top!
I shall say it again: Unite!
Unite Oh Volunteer Nation!
Unite from Tennessee towns and farms!
Unite oh Vols in celebration!
Unite in this Big Orange Swarm!
Can I get an Amen?!
WhitePineVol77 writes:
W_D...you are so special
Ironcity writes:
Tough break for Williams. I hope this doesn't derail his career.
chad_t31 writes:
My eight month old isn't named peyton just for the heck of it.
CT_VOL writes:
Am I allowed to unite from Connecticut?
If so, Amen!
Frank
DennisVols writes:
Hate to hear the news on T.W. I felt this kid could make an impact on this team this year.
Get well soon T.W. the Orange Lane Train needs you.
AllVol1 writes:
Oh Brother Frank, I do sincerely apologize.
Unite from the towns of New England!
Unite all ye men and women, boys and girls!
Unite from the Sierras and Rockies!
Unite from all over the world!
govols1295 writes:
New black jersey's. Wouldn't mind every once in a while.
http://www.3sib.com/2009/06/22/black-...
1manningfan writes:
Peyton can come to his locker room any time he damn well pleases. Im just saying it is named after him,lol. Thanks Peyton for showing up every year and showing support for the university, players, fans, and the new coaching staff.
I Will Give My All For Tennessee Today!
Go Vols!
Go Manning!
TommyJack writes:
No thanks.
smyrnavol writes:
speak for yourself azzhole. your not a fan. whenever your great at something besides playing with yourself, you can come back and brag. GO VOLS!!!
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Everybody just please, PLEASE ignore naffy, aka Vol_RobE. He's worse than a troll...or maybe he is one. Maybe if we pretend he isn't there, he won't be for long.
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
tums writes:
That's awesome.
tums writes:
What?
1manningfan writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
GhostofRobertNeyland writes:
AMEN!!! GO VOLS!!!
soddydaisy777 writes:
They need to flag you. You Gator.
teampenny#658108 writes:
No not in the SEC. But is a great guy. Go Vols
utmdm writes:
Forget it. We are not the Big Black.
teampenny#658108 writes:
Danny W is every bit the class act Peyton is. He helps a lot of kids. Go Vols
Snapshot writes:
No, you are the pathetic one.
walt23tn writes:
Greatest QB in our history, and a chance to be the Greatest QB in NFL history. Thank you for staying around. We are proud of you, and glad that the University of Tennessee is still close to your heart. You are our spokesman for the program, and the most positive influence I can think of for our players. Thanks Peyton.
chad_t31 writes:
I would say that it's pathetic that ur dad wasted sperm and ur mom wasted an egg on ur sorry azz, but I value human life too much to say that to you. But it is pathetic that u spend most of ur time on here running ur mouth..and can't back a damn bit of it up. I know ppl will say "leave the troll alone" and that's their right, but keep talking big boy, keep changing ur name...you'll have to grow up one of these days.
FLAVOLS writes:
A true Gator! Naffy sucks Z balls.
gohawks1 writes:
“Envy shoots at others and wounds itself” - English proverb
OdessaVol writes:
RobE, you got picked on as a kid didn't you. Your consistant comments regarding Manning indicates your IQ is below sea level. Get a life bro.
dvols writes:
hey witch.... damn kids
im just sayin
old_number1 writes:
You're not alone. I know a father who had two kids. Named the first Peyton, the second Manning!! I guess you've got some work ahead of you! LOL
MidTennVol writes:
How fortunate are we to have had people like Manning and Wilson and Haynesworth play at Tennessee? Unbelievable.
Scroggins, Hendrix and all you other teenage-hotshot QBs wanting to reach the Show: can any other college football program offer you the chance to spend your offseason workouts with an NFL and Superbowl MVP QB?
All you five-star DTs out there, how would you like to work out with Albert Haynesworth? LBs -- how would you like to work out with Al Wilson?
Gate21 writes:
Amen, brother!! Go Vols!
give_him_6 writes:
You're an idiot. But then you already know that don't you.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
Place a wire into Peyton and Jonathan's heads and then execute a data dump from Peyton to Crompton.
jackdup4vols writes:
You most definitely can get an "Amen!!"
jackdup4vols writes:
Just so long as there isn't a switch of info, cuz I like watching Peyton expose lame defenses. If we could just 'copy' and 'transfer' to Crompton -- that would most definitely be marvelous!!!
OrangeMagic writes:
What's lame is that dam n website. I can't imagine what loser has enough time to devote to such BS. If you don't like it, go be a fan somewhere else.
chargervol writes:
Bobbeagator, we know who you are. Peyton Manning is the best quarterback we've had. Get real dude. Put down the crack pipe and pull up your jorts. Hide your crack Urbie. P.S. You are still the biggest idiot on this board. GO VOLS!!!
givehim6 writes:
That is what I was thinking, if Peyton could help bring a top notch QB to rocky top
Salpointe writes:
No doubt, Peyton is a class act on and off the field. Nice to have a talented athlete with character. And it's especially nice that he represents our state and school. To all you young people coming up, try to emulate his character. His parents did a great job!
volsgirl writes:
Amen brother!!!!!!!!
Colliervol writes:
No, she's actually the girl that Peyton mooned and she's never forgiven him. Too bad. I'm sure Peyton stays up nights worrying about what Naffy thinks. LOL.
Colliervol writes:
This is an open note to our friend kaplan. Seriously, when are you people going to figure out a way to keep Naffy, Rob E (or whatever his name is this week) off this site? He has contributed nothing since he appeared on here beginning with Naffy. Nothing except a bunch of racist claptrap and an obvious agenda against one of the two greatest players that this university has ever produced (along with Reggie White). You folks at the KNS speak of not tolerating "defamatory" comments. Well, that's all he's ever produced and you dim bulbs can't figure out how to eliminate him permanently. Evidently, you don't hire much in the way of computer technologists.
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