Peyton Manning divulged the hilarious reason why Bill Belichick was the perfect candidate to join him and his brother Eli on the fourth season of ESPN’s “ManningCast.”
On Sunday, Manning and network colleague Stephen A. Smith chatted it up at the Javits Center in New York City during the final day of the inaugural FanaticsFest. Among the multitude of topics discussed in the 40-minute segment titled “The Sheriff” was the former quarterback’s media undertakings with his company, Omaha Productions.
In addition to the hit Netflix series “Quarterback” and “Receiver,” which provide fans with a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of several of the biggest NFL stars, Omaha Productions has drawn considerable praise for the Monday Night Football alternate “Manningcast.” Starting this year, Peyton and Eli will be joined full-time by Bill Belichick, along with regular guest appearances from famous athletes and celebrities.
Speaking to Smith, Manning quipped that Belichick’s hatred of Eli - who beat the then-New England Patriots head coach with the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI - made him a seamless addition to the show.
“Bill Belichick is going to be a permanent guest in the first half, and he’s going to fit in great because he doesn’t like Eli,” he explained to media in attendance, including The Mirror U.S. “Bill and I get to gang up and make fun of Eli the whole time.”
On a more serious note, Manning revealed that he and his brother were blown away by Belichick’s immense knowledge of football, adding that fans at home have rarely been able to listen to the 72-year-old share his insight.
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“I don’t think people necessarily have gotten to hear Bill Belichick speak about defense, about head coaching decisions and whatnot,” he added. “Eli and I’ve had a couple rehearsals [with him], and he had so much knowledge, and he’s already shared that with his team, but he’s never shared that with the general public. I think he’s going to do that this year… Eli and I have found it very insightful. I think the fans will as well.”
Elsewhere in the conversation, Manning said that during his decorated NFL career he had the utmost respect for members of the media, who he credited with growing the game of football. But prior to retiring in 2016, the Pro Football Hall of Famer conceded he hardly considered pursuing a career in the industry.
“It certainly wasn't something I was thinking about while I was playing,” he said. “When I was playing football, I was all in on my current job.
“So, when you stop playing … the best advice I got was from [Former Colts head coach] Tony Dungy was [to] figure out what you don't want to do. And I didn't want to go into coaching. I'm the assistant offensive coordinator on my son's eighth grade football team. That's the extent of my coaching experience.”
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