Vols Legend Returns: Peyton Manning Joins Tennessee Volunteers as Special Advisor, Read More….

Vols Legend Returns: Peyton Manning Joins Tennessee Volunteers as Special Advisor, Read More….

Tennessee Vols legend and NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning had a fired up reaction to a dropped passed by San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on Monday Night Football this week.

During Monday night’s ManningCast on ESPN, Manning expressed frustration with Aiyuk’s decision to miss training camp while in a contract dispute with the 49ers, suggesting that’s why the pass was dropped.

“Get signed, get in training camp,” said Manning after Eli Manning pointed out that Aiyuk looked rusty after a dropped pass in the end zone. “There’s a reason for training camp — you need it. We need the reps. Get those contracts done earlier so we can get in training camp and we don’t drop balls on opening night.”Vols Legend Returns: Peyton Manning Joins Tennessee Volunteers as Special Advisor, Read More….

You’re still catching balls at a high school field from some quarterback that’s 45 years old, my age, you’re not catching balls from your quarterback,” added Manning. “Get signed, get in camp, and we don’t drop the ball.”

It’s important to note that Peyton wasn’t throwing shade at Aiyuk for wanting/getting a new contract. The former Vol simply wants to see those deals get done sooner so players can get in training camp and get reps with their teammates.

And Peyton is absolutely right that those reps are important. It’s unrealistic to expect the chemistry between teammates to be elite if guys aren’t in training camp.

But I doubt we see this trend end anytime soon. Skipping training camp is the only leverage that players have when seeking a new contract. And at the end of the day, the NFL is a business.

Legendary NFL quarterback Peyton Manning gathered with Chancellor Donde Plowman and other leaders from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on Aug. 27 to honor the newest recipients of the Peyton Manning Scholarship, a highly competitive four-year award given to four incoming students each year.

This year’s group — Mallori France, Nicole Gann, Cade Simmons and Emi Taylor — arrive on campus as some of the brightest, most service-minded students of their class. Each will take part in the highly selective Haslam Leadership Scholars Program. At the event, they were commended for their remarkable academic excellence and leadership.

Manning endowed the scholarship when he graduated in 1998, and it now boasts 61 recipients in its 27th year. It recognizes some of the most academically successful incoming Vols, with an emphasis on service and leadership.

“Peyton’s support for UT, through both his time and his generosity, has impacted generations of Volunteers,” said Plowman. “What is special about the Manning Scholars Program is that it emphasizes not only academic achievement, but also the leadership and service that come with being a Volunteer — the same qualities Peyton has always embodied. I am both impressed by and proud of this year’s scholars.”

Manning echoed Plowman’s admiration for the students, adding that they are only just starting their lives as Volunteers — an identity he hopes they continue to cultivate.

“Every year I look forward to this event and the opportunity to meet, recognize and reward such exceptional and deserving students,” said Manning. “I’m honored to help provide many of the same opportunities to these students that I received. This is just the beginning of the positive impact they will have on the university and in the communities where they will make their mark after graduation.”