Peyton Manning once wanted to wear Johnny Unitas’ shoes.
Now he is walking in his footsteps.
Manning, who once tried to honor Unitas by wearing the same kind of black high-top football shoes, is watching his NFL career wind down the same way as the legendary Baltimore Colts quarterback’s.
Manning is 35, damaged and about to be cut loose by the Indianapolis Colts, a new general manager and owner Jim Irsay.
Unitas was 39, damaged and sent packing by the Baltimore Colts, a new general manager and owner Bob Irsay.
The Redskins reportedly are one of the teams that will be in the running for Manning once the Colts decide to sever ties with the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
The Redskins reportedly were one of the teams interested in Unitas when word came out that the Colts were willing to trade their future Hall of Fame quarterback.
There are questions about Manning’s ability to play again as he continues to recover from two neck surgeries.
He has been medically cleared to resume his career by two doctors, according to an ESPN report.
Jim Irsay responded by saying that “Peyton has not passed our physical, nor has he been cleared to play for the Indianapolis Colts.”
There were questions about Unitas’ ability to play again after a career full of injuries — particularly the nerve and ligament damage to his right arm in 1968 that left the appendage crippled by the end of his life.
GM Joe Thomas told Unitas in a meeting at the Super Bowl in January 1972 that “You can’t throw anymore. You can’t play anymore. You’re not going to play another down in a Baltimore Colts uniform.”
Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts have a young quarterback in mind to replace him — Andrew Luck, the presumed No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Bob Irsay and the Baltimore Colts had a young quarterback in mind back then. Marty Domres was already on the roster, and coach John Sandusky was ordered to play Domres and bench Unitas.
Manning is due a $28 million option bonus March 3. The Colts are not expected to pay it.
Unitas had a 10-year, $300,000 contract and a promise of a front office job with the Colts when they benched him in 1972. When they traded him to San Diego in the offseason, Unitas called the Colts on a breach of promise.
There was a meeting with NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. Unitas said he would settle for $200,000. He said Rozelle told him it was a fair settlement.
Bob Irsay paid Unitas $50,000 and shipped him off to San Diego, where he played five games in 1973, completing 34 of 76 passes for three touchdowns and seven interceptions. And then he was done.
Those shoes don’t look so good now.
Examiner columnist Thom Loverro is the co-host of “The Sports Fix” from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN980 and espn980.com. Contact him at [email protected].
