For Peyton Manning, there are no days off. Check that — there are no minutes off.
Those who watched last weekend’s Denver Broncos-Tennessee Titans game likely saw the above photo shown on the CBS broadcast. It’s just hilarious to look at and embodies everything about the football nerd Manning is. He has one shoe on and his other foot in the cold tub. Then he is in full Broncos gear, including a helmet despite not being on the field, and he’s holding an iPad. Just that he’s holding an iPad while soaking his foot is enough to show you what a hard worker he is, but that he’s wearing a helmet is just so odd.
Since the photo went viral, the Broncos website decided to provide some background to the photo. Here’s their explanation for it:
Earlier this season, Manning and tight end Julius Thomas found themselves in the training room instead of practice on a Wednesday.
Not wanting to miss out on mental reps, Manning took matters into his own hands.
With his injured ankle in the cold tub, the quarterback kept his helmet on to listen to the play calls from Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase, who was on the practice field. Simultaneously, he watched game tape on his iPad.
“He heard the calls, he’d repeat them to Julius and they were kind of – it was a way for them to take two hours and stay in the game plan,” explained Gase, who laughed that he couldn’t believe the photo made it onto CBS’ broadcast last week.
The dude had his helmet on to listen to play calls from practice.
Practice. Not a game. Not a game. Not a game … but practice.
Can you freaking believe that? I mean I can’t even hold a drink in one hand and the TV clicker in the other without spilling, and this guy is not only studying game film on his iPad, but he’s also listening to play calls from practice and sharing them with Thomas. Man, that is some serious dedication, not to mention amazing multi-tasking ability.
So if you’re wondering what kind of work ethic and dedication it takes to be a 5-time NFL MVP (he’s winning his fifth this year) and surefire Hall of Famer, look no further than this photo and explanation. Wow. Don’t act like you’re not impressed.
H/T Deadspin
