A report on NFL.com that Peyton Manning has told close friends that he will retire after Super Bowl 50 is "crap" says one of Manning's close friends, former Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley.
Stokley, who is reporting for Denver7 as part of our weeklong Super Bowl coverage, told 7SPORTS Anchors Lionel Bienvenu and Arran Anderson that the report by Ian Rapoportis simply not true.
"I think it's hogwash. I think the guy is making it up," Stokley said. "I know (Manning) would have told me if he's going to tell people. I think he's just waiting. I don't think he would have told anybody. I don't think anybody knows for sure what his decision is going to be."
"I think deep down he kinda has an idea of what he wants to do, but he's going to wait after (the Super Bowl) and just kind of weigh all of his options and see. It wouldn't shock me if he decided he wanted to play again because that's the kind of guy he is. He loves football...he loves to compete," Stokley said. "And I don't think it hinges on whether they win or lose."
Stokley was in Manning's Super Bowl winning team when both were with the Colts. In 2012, when Manning was a free agent and flying around the country, looking into what teams he would play for next, Manning stayed with Stokley in Denver.
Manning, who will turn 40 in March, will complete his 18th season in the NFL after Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. He’s undergone four neck surgeries since 2011, and was sidelined six games of the 2015 regular season with a foot injury.