Thursday, March 6, 1997
FOOTBALL:
Decision to stay in school draws respect from fans, NFLBy Tom
Sharp
The Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Peyton Manning said they showed him the
money, but he couldn’t ignore his heart.
The Tennessee quarterback announced Wednesday he will postpone
the riches of the NFL for one last season of college football.
The decision elated Volunteer fans and coaches and drew respect
from the NFL, whose lure is often more than undergraduates can
resist.
"It was what I wanted to do for a long time," Manning said. "I
wanted to be 100 percent sure, and yesterday morning, I woke up 100
percent sure."
Manning, who was a likely top pick in the April 19 draft, now
becomes the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy next season.
Archie Manning, a star quarterback for Mississippi and the New
Orleans Saints, helped his son with information on agents and
salary caps.
"$25, $30 million. I’m human. Believe me, I looked at the
money," Peyton Manning said. "I’m hoping the money’s there next
year, too, the good Lord willing I stay healthy.
"But staying was strongest in my heart. I knew that’s what I
wanted to do."
Coach Bill Parcells, whose New York Jets have the No. 1
selection, said he respected Manning’s choice.
"I think the common feeling in this country today is that
everybody sells out for the money and the opportunity," said
Parcells, who had hinted the Jets would draft Manning.
"In Peyton’s case, I admire his decision and think that it took
courage to make it, and I wish him well. … I think it’s
refreshing, really."
NFL spokesman Joe Browne congratulated Manning on staying in
school.
"I think nearly everyone in the league  owners and
coaches, front office personnel and general managers  believe
an athlete completing his last year of eligibility, if not getting
a degree, is the right thing to do," he said.
Manning, who turns 21 on March 24, should graduate in May with a
degree in speech communications.
The decision was his own, he said, and he does not intend it as
a statement to or about other college players.
"All situations are unique. I could never blame a guy for
leaving early to go pro. That’s their individual decision," he
said.
Manning said his initial decision to stay for another season was
affected by the Jets’ hiring of Parcells  a move that "kind
of shook things up for me a bit."
"I have a lot of respect for him," he said.
Manning did not have to declare his intention to enter the April
19 draft on Jan. 10, the deadline for most undergraduates, because
he is scheduled to graduate this spring.
Manning said he researched his decision by talking to other
professional athletes, including Michael Jordan, Troy Aikman, Phil
Simms and Drew Bledsoe.
Manning holds Tennessee records for career passing yardage
(7,382), touchdowns (53), completions (576), attempts (904),
completion percentage (63.7) and numerous single-season marks.
Such statistics would make it difficult for anybody to leave
college football, even for the NFL.
"I want pro football, believe me. But I want college football
one more year also, and it kind of came down to that."