INDIANAPOLIS -
For the second straight week, Colts owner Jim Irsay is trying to put an end to a public spat between him and Peyton Manning.
"Peyton Manning, Jim Irsay and the entire Colts family remain close and unified as we continue to work through all the options that relate to his future with the Colts," the team wrote in a release. "The present focus is on the Super Bowl and the great game that awaits."
The release was accompanied by a photograph of Manning, Irsay and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Former Senator Evan Bayh, musician John Mellencamp and actress Meg Ryan were also in the photo.
"A good time was had by all at the Colts party Thursday night," the team's statement read.
The release was in response to a tweet from Irsay early Friday morning.
"Peyton has not passed our physical, nor has he been cleared to play for the Indianapolis Colts. Team statement coming on Friday," the tweet read.
The Manning talk was popping up everywhere around downtown Indianapolis, just two days before Super Bowl XLVI.
"It should be all about Brady this week, I think. Forget those Manning brothers," said Patriots fan Eric Mackowitz.
"He's dominating it. I wonder if Mr. Irsay had a part in that. Drawing a little more attention this week," said Giants fan Matt Kenney.
Hall of Fame coach and racing mogul Joe Gibbs doesn't agree.
"I think there is a lot of intrigue to that and it's natural, but I don't think it's overshadowing anything. This is a big deal here, the Super Bowl," Gibbs said.
Goodell commented on it during a Friday press conference.
"I am not troubled by it at all. I don't think it has distracted from this event. I think those are difficult decisions the team and the player have to make in the next couple of weeks and I understand the interest," he said.
Indianapolis Star sports columnist Bob Kravitz was in the crowd of media and said the commissioner said what he was expected to say.
"It's overshadowed the Super Bowl. It would have overshadowed the Super Bowl without all these comments, but now it really overshadows the Super Bowl," Kravitz said.
It's a sentiment that Star cartoonist Gary Varvel captured earlier in the week, with his "Where's Peyton?" cartoon and that comedian Frank Caliendo elaborated on Friday.
"Let's talk about what it is important this week. The biggest story is not the Super Bowl. I thought it was Madonna, then it turned out to be Peyton Manning," he said.
Late Friday, Manning's agent Tom Condon told Eyewitness News Manning "absolutely believes" he will play next season.
