Back in 2012, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll flew to Denver, Colorado to recruit Peyton Manning to the Emerald City after his release from the Indianapolis Colts, to no avail.
NBC Sports reporter Peter King stated on the Sports Illustrated podcast “The Record” that Manning did not want Carroll to fly to Denver to recruit him, but the latter did anyway, with no results.
“Manning didn’t go meet Pete Carroll,” King said. “Pete Carroll flew to Denver chasing Peyton Manning and Manning never met with him. He got back on the plane and just flew back to Seattle. It was really kind of a crazy time.”
Manning vehemently declined Carroll’s offer and signed with the Broncos.
“[Manning] almost put off by the fact that you spent all this time and energy and fuel and whatever to come down here when I told you, ‘It’s not going to happen. I’m not doing it,’” King said.
This worked out well for Seattle, who won Super Bowl XLVIII against Denver with Manning at quarterback. Likewise, Manning won his second Super Bowl with Denver two years later and retired on a high note.
It is safe to say that Manning’s refusal to sign with Seattle was mutually beneficial.
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