INDIANAPOLIS -
In an interview with WTHR Sports Director Dave Calabro, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning addressed reports that indicate the end of his career due to a persistent neck injury.
WTHR spoke to Manning Tuesday amid reports that Manning's recovery has not progressed as hoped. Channel 13 was the only local television station to get the one-on-one interview.
Manning says he has no plans to retire and that his recovery from neck surgery is on schedule.
When asked if he wanted to get the focus off of himself, he said, "Well, certainly. If other people want to talk about it, that's fine. But this week's about the City of Indianapolis and the Giants and the Patriots and that's the way it should be. That's the way it will be as the week goes on. There's a lot of extra time now. Teams aren't even practicing yet. It's always killed me about the Super Bowl Media Day - the Media Day was Tuesday and to have it again Wednesday morning - they don't even practice in between that, so there's not a whole lot that's changed between now and then. I know the players are having to deal with it. I'm excited to be part of the Indianapolis Super Bow. I think a lot of the players on the team feel like they're kind of a part of the reason this game is here because of the success the team has. I think everybody takes a lot of pride in it," said Manning.
Manning said that he threw on Tuesday morning and the session went well.
As for talk about his retirement, Manning says it's premature.
"There's nothing new to talk about," said Manning, when asked about last week's joint statement from him and Colts owner Jim Irsay about their apparent spat over changes in the coaching staff and team morale.
"I have no plans on doing that," Manning said, when asked about retiring from football.
"I'm enjoying this week, being a part of the city and having the Super Bowl. The downtown's rocking right now, the weather's awesome, the host committee's done a great job. It's fun to be a part of that and I'm proud my brother's playing in the game. All the other talk, it is what it is. My plan hasn't changed. I'm on track with what the doctors have told me to do. I'm rehabbing hard. I'm enjoying this week," he said.
Manning said he had a great session. "Threw with Gonzo [Anthony Gonzalez] and Blair White and some of the other guys - having fun and I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."
Peyton says he's proud of Indianapolis and the way the city's reputation has grown.
"I've only been here 14 years - not to say you're old or anything - you all have been here before me, so you all have certainly seen the evolution but...in the mid-nineties if you thought Indianapolis would host the Super Bowl people would probably laugh. But this is a major player in sports and in hosting events. Nobody hosts a better event - Final Four championships - I hope this is not a one and done deal."
Most of the Patriots and Giants say they're not paying attention to speculation that Manning's career could be over, but it's hard to miss.
After last week's public spat between the Colts quarterback and team owner Jim Irsay, the two issued a joint statement in hopes of tamping down publicity leading up to the Super Bowl. It's not working.
