Peyton Manning is a master of media management, including how to handle uncomfortable questions about not performing well on Sundays and unexpectedly showing up on injury reports.
Peyton's strategy, basically: deflect, and put the attention on anyone and anything else.
So when Peyton was listed on the Broncos' Monday injury report (full - back), the media had questions. Peyton had an answer. A brilliant one - a media injury report.
Peyton breaks it down:
- "Let me start with [KUSA reporter Mike] Klis," Manning said. "The carpal tunnel from all the texting of his sources. Who else?"
- "D-Mac (104.3 The Fan host Darren McKee), the laryngitis from ripping me all week. The rash that he has that's unidentified. The fact that he's still is here every day to overcome that, I think it admirable."
- "[Denver Post reporter] Woody [Paige], in my opinion, is probably the healthiest of all of you, and this is not a healthy group by any means. But Woody is healthy. Who else?
- "[USA Today reporter] Lindsay Jones—the bunions from all the travel to the West Coast."
- "[Denver Post columnist Mark] Kiszla also—Kislza's got gout for sure. I know he's got gout, but he never complains about it."
"Like I said, I never hear you guys complaining about it, so I'm not going to complain about it," Manning concluded. "In many ways you guys inspire me. I was kind of surprised that I was on (the Broncos' injury report) to tell you the truth, but I think like a lot of guys, it's a pretty physical game on Sunday. In many ways, maybe I'm honored to be on it."
Peyton Manning, charming even when ripping the media.