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Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reaffirmed his stance as players returned to practice Thursday for the Super Bowl that the Al-Jazeera America report last month linking him and his wife to human grown hormone is false. Manning told reporters that he doesn't have a problem with the NFL investigation into the matter and said it's not a distraction as he perpares for Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7.
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"I do welcome it. It's no news to me," Manning said after practice. "I still stand by what I said then that it's garbage from the first day that it came out, garbage today."
Mannning also was asked about his plans to retire after a microphone picked up his conversation with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick last Sunday at the 50-yard line. Manning told Belichick after the Broncos' 20-18 victory that this might be my "last rodeo" and it had been a pleasure to compete against him.
"That hasn't been confirmed," Manning said of his retirement plans. "What happened to private conversations on the 50-yard line? They don't exist anymore. No confirmation to that whatsoever. We are on to Carolina."
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak didn't shed any light on whether or not Manning will call it quits after the Super Bowl.
"He hasn't said anything to me," Kubiak said. "I know he's enjoying the playoffs and enjoying this opportunity with this football team. I can't speak for him. ... I know it's special to have him back in the huddle leading the way."
