Manning will interview former NFLers, coaches and others about football's history and cultural impactgetty images
Peyton Manning is "coming back to Disney's ESPN+, hitting the road to revisit seminal moments in NFL history" in a 30-episode docuseries called "Peyton's Places," according to Todd Spangler of VARIETY. Manning in the series will interview former NFLers, coaches and other key figures "about football history and its cultural impact." The series is part of ESPN's celebration of the NFL's 100th season, and will be produced by NFL Films in collaboration with ESPN+. "Peyton's Places" is set to debut July 15 "exclusively on ESPN+," and will be "presented in five chapters, each comprising six episodes" (VARIETY.com, 4/15). The AP's Barry Wilner noted the series depicts a "journey into pro football's past that was educational, humorous and heartfelt." Manning worked with NFL Films on the show, and he said, "They certainly had a template and blueprint they wanted to tell, and we had certain people we wanted to talk to and visit and have conversations about how football got started." Wilner noted Manning "spent time with members of the undefeated 1972 Dolphins; rewatched Super Bowl 3 with Joe Namath; discussed the Immaculate Reception with Steelers and Raiders to get the Pittsburgh and Oakland viewpoints; and discovered intriguing connections to the NFL for Richard Nixon, Jay Leno and Elvis" (AP, 4/15).
NO WORD ON "MNF": There is still no word on whether Manning will join the "MNF" booth, but this new deal keeps him close to execs in Bristol and gives ESPN+ more unique content. Manning previously worked on a football version of the "Details" franchise (John Ourand, SBJ Media). YAHOO SPORTS' Shalise Manza Young noted ESPN likely would "love to have Manning in the booth" for “MNF," and extending its partnership with him "adds to the belief that will come to pass" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 4/15).
