Bill Polian defends Peyton Manning over ‘smear campaign’

Bill Polian is convinced that the the sexual assault claims against Peyton Manning that have resurfaced in a recent lawsuit are part of a blatant effort to tarnish the two-time Super Bowl champion’s legacy.

In an interview with “The Freddie Coleman Show” on ESPN Radio this week, Polian was asked about Manning’s involvement in a lawsuit that was filed against the University of Tennessee. The former Colts GM, who drafted Manning, is essentially blaming the alleged victim.

“This was apparently — I say apparently — an incident that was the subject of a defamation suit that the so-called or alleged victim brought against Peyton and Archie after they wrote a book — which, by the way, I have not read,” Polian said, per CBS Boston. “All I can tell you is everything we heard from people at the University of Tennessee was absolutely glowing.”

Polian feels that it is hardly a coincidence that the lawsuit has made headlines right around the time Manning won another Super Bowl and was accused of using human growth hormone. And it’s the evil blogs who are perpetuating it, apparently.

“The document that has been referred to on numerous blog sites that I’ve seen (only one in the mainstream media that I’ve seen), is a 74-page document written by the lawyers of a young lady who sued Peyton and his dad, Archie, for defamation,” Polian said. “I am not aware of how that suit was settled or what the outcome of the suit was, and I haven’t read anything about that.

“But this is a document that was an advocacy document, allegations, if you will, that were made by the person’s lawyer 13 years ago about an incident that took place 20 years ago and has now surfaced obviously at the behest of that lawyer or his client when Peyton is in the news and arguably receiving lots and lots of positive press.

“That document is parsed by people, excerpted by people, and they weigh in on it. That to me fits the definition of a smear. And that’s what it is, plain and simple. It doesn’t deserve any more notice than any other smear that someone would make.”

If you aren’t familiar with the sexual assault lawsuit that involves Manning, you can read more about it here.

Polian couldn’t say enough positive things about Manning, and he certainly isn’t the only one who feels that way about the Broncos quarterback. The aspect of the case that he ignores is that settlements out of court in no way mean Manning did nothing wrong. People who are “guilty” settle all the time.

Between the sexual assault talk and the reports about Manning’s wife receiving illegal drug shipments, there is a belief among some — Polian included — that Manning is being dragged through the mud for no reason. Even if Manning is being smeared on some level, Polian probably should learn more before he goes blaming the accuser.