LITTLE ROCK — Manning first rush escapes
Denver Broncos fans can hurry up and wait to buy their Peyton Manning gear.
Despite holding up a No. 18 Broncos jersey at his introductory news conference Tuesday, fans in Denver looking to buy an authentic Manning jersey in blue and orange are out of luck.
Nope, they haven’t sold out.
Nike takes ownership of the NFL’s merchandising contract on April Fools’ Day, but it won’t be unveiling the new Broncos jersey until late April. KUSATV in Denver reports fans in Colorado and across the country will have to wait until at least early May to score the same Broncos jersey that Manning will wear in 2012.
Reebok, which lost the merchandise contract, will be releasing T-shirts with Manning’s name and number in a few days, but that is likely all of the new Manning merchandise fans willbe able to scoop up in the next couple of weeks.
Not a Manning fan
Jim Driver is one man who would not have purchased a Peyton Manning jersey at any price.
Driver died Monday, just hoursbefore Manning agreed to terms with Denver. Apparently, Driver was more of the Tim Tebow sort, according to the opening paragraph of his obituary in the Columbia (Mo.) Tribune:
“James H. ‘Jim’ Driver, 78, of Eagle, Colo., formerly of Columbia, passed away Monday, March 19, 2012, at South Hampton Place in Columbia after a brief illness. An avid Broncos fan, he abhorred [Peyton] Manning and evidently wanted out before a deal was done.” A horse is a horse
Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning decided to sign with the Denver Broncos, ending a two-week search during which analysts predicted he would go to the Cardinals, Jets, 49ers, Dolphins, Chiefs and Titans, among others.
“Turns out,” wrote Reggie Hayes of The News-Sentinel of Fort Wayne, Ind., “Manning will only play for teams with horserelated nicknames.” Good riddance
Hines Ward has announced his retirement Tuesday, and Cincinnati Bengals safety Chris Crocker is glad to see the formerPittsburgh receiver go.
“He tried to end people’s careers, and that’s not the way the game is supposed to be played,” Crocker told Bengals.com.
Ward broke Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers’ jaw with a blindside block in 2008. A year later, Crocker said Ward punched him in the face during a game.
“Stuff like that, it’s just not right,” Crocker said.
Dis-Banded
According to ESPN, the University of Southern Mississippi has revoked scholarships for - and removed from their band - five students who heckled a Puerto Rican Kansas State player during an NCAA Tournament game last week.
“Strong message,” wrote Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.
“Now if schools would only discipline athletes that way.” Headlines
From the satricial website sportspickle.com:
“Free agent QB Jim Sorgi leaning towards signing with Broncos”
“Brittney Griner dunks like a girl”Quote of the day “We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of
the game. We will not
tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, announcing penalties levied against the New Orleans Saints for a bounty system that targeted opposing players
Sports, Pages 16 on 03/22/2012