Broncos QB Peyton Manning rips 'disrespectful' scoreboard operator

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning ripped a "disrespectful" scoreboard operator after Denver was called for a false start while Manning tried to quiet the crowd but couldn’t because the scoreboard operator was encouraging fans to cheer louder.

The Broncos had the ball and a 14-point lead with a little more than two minutes left in the fourth quarter as they tried to close out the San Diego Chargers on Thursday, but quarterback Peyton Manning was upset. Denver was called for a false start as Manning tried to quiet the raucous crowd but couldn’t because the scoreboard operator at Sports Authority Field at Mile High was encouraging fans to cheer louder.

Manning was asked during his post-game press conference if he was mad at the Denver fans.

"I have no problem with our fans, our fans are great. I got a problem with our scoreboard operator," Manning said. "I'm going to have to have a little talk with him. I'm not sure what he's doing. He was playing music and showing people dancing and getting the crowd fired up and we have the ball. I don't think we should be doing that."

Manning, who went 25 of 35 for 286 yards and three touchdowns in Denver's 35-21 victory, also didn’t like that Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was shown on the Jumbotron.

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"I don't think we should be showing their quarterback on the sideline," Manning said. "I thought that was kind of disrespectful. Our fans are great, our fans are loud. The scoreboard operator, it wasn't his best night."

With the victory, the Broncos (6-1) now own a 1-1/2 game lead over the Chargers (5-3) in AFC West. Denver next goes on the road to take on the New England Patriots (5-2) on Nov. 2. The Chargers take on the Dolphins (3-3) in Miami the same day.

- Scooby Axson