John Elway comments on Peyton Manning lawsuit, retirement

John Elway supported Peyton Manning’s character when asked about the Tennessee Title IX lawsuit that names Manning.

Broncos general manager and executive vice president John Elway praised Peyton Manning’s character at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday when asked about the University of Tennessee Title IX lawsuit that names him.

“I haven’t paid much attention to it,” Elway said, according to Newsday. “I also know it’s 20 years ago, but it’s also something that’s serious, but I also know, having been around Peyton Manning for four years, the kind of man that he is. He’s a guy that I trust and believe what he has to say.”

The lawsuit, which claims the the university improperly handled numerous sexual assault cases, alleges that Manning exposed himself to a female athletic trainer when he was a sophomore at Tennessee. University lawyers filed a motion to have the mention of Manning removed from the lawsuit on Wednesday.

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Elway also said that Manning, 39, still has not made a decision on whether he will end his NFL career after his Super Bowl 50 win.

“I met with Peyton a couple of nights ago. We had a good talk,” Elway said, according to CBS Sports. “As I said after the [Super Bowl], we’re going to give him as much time as he needs, and he still needs some more time. We're going to afford him that time. He's deserved that after 18 years in this league.”

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Manning’s contract for the 2016 season becomes guaranteed when the new league year begins on March 9, so he will need to make a decision before then. Elway said he plans to touch base with Manning again in the next two weeks to discuss his plan.

“It’s still in his court,” Elway said.