Manning Stands by Irsay

How good of a guy is Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning?

So good, despite the controversy when his former boss, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, cut him loose, Manning is standing by his former owner.

The man who added Omaha to NFL lore recently contacted Irsay, but refused to say what the conversation was about.

“That’s a private topic,” Manning told the Associated Press. “It’s very private and very personal.”

Irsay, as you may recall, was arrested recently for possession of drugs and driving under the influence. He's now at a treatment center receiving help.

A few months ago, when the Colts and Broncos played, Irsay basically threw Manning under the bus by implying that he thought Manning should have won more Super Bowls while with his organization.

Manning, being the class act that he is, didn't respond to Irsay's comments. Maybe he already knew his ex-boss had a tendency to tipple and toke and decided he just wasn't worth the effort of a response.

But obviously, he thinks enough of his ex-boss to give him a call and check up on him. That says more about his character than Irsay's.

Actually, it assumes Irsay even has a character. That still remains to be seen.