Peyton Manning to attend Super Bowl

Jan 25, 2008 - 10:47 PM By Jim Ralabate PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

Peyton Manning will be on hand to watch baby brother Eli play in the Super Bowl.

Manning told reporters during a conference call Friday that he will attend Super Bowl XLII on February 3, when Eli and the New York Giants take on the undefeated New England Patriots.

"I will definitely be there on Sunday for the Super Bowl," said Manning, the six-time All-Pro quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. "Eli called me and told me that he wanted me to be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The conference call took place less than two weeks after the Colts were eliminated from the playoffs by the San Diego Chargers, who rallied for an improbable upset in Indianapolis only to lose at New England last Sunday in the AFC championship game.

Manning, who led the Colts to a victory in last year's Super Bowl, admitted that the loss to the Chargers was extremely disappointing - so disappointing that he did not travel to Green Bay last weekend to watch Eli and the Giants upset the Packers in the NFC championship game.

"I just needed a little time to get away," Peyton said. "It has been a long season for us. ... But I promise you, I was watching every step of the way against Green Bay and watched that unbelievable game - unbelievable win by the Giants.

"I just couldn't have been prouder and happier for Eli. He deserves every bit of this because of how hard he has worked."

Despite orchestrating a thrilling comeback win over the Patriots in the 2006 AFC championship game, Peyton claimed he has not imparted a great deal of advice on Eli, who has not committed a turnover in three games this postseason.

But Peyton did reveal that he is helping his little brother do one thing - obtain tickets.

"Every NFL player gets two tickets," Peyton said. "So I called all of my Colts teammates - as many as I could get, ones that hadn't given them away already - and helped collect some for Eli."

Constantly criticized for his skittish nature on the field and his calm attitude off it, Eli has looked poised and polished over the last month to lead the Giants to their first Super Bowl in seven years.

According to Peyton, the never-ending pressure of playing in New York has prepared his little brother for the daunting task of knocking off the perfect Patriots.

"That is one thing that Eli has proven in his short career thus far that has really served him well," Peyton said. "I promise you, it will serve him well down the road.

"This is obviously the biggest game that he has ever played in. It was certainly the biggest game I had ever played in last year. But I feel he is ready for the opportunity."

According to Peyton, if anyone will be nervous next Sunday, it will be him.

"I think there is just something about just your family out there," he said. "It is one thing when you have a close friend out there - a really good buddy. But when it is your brother, or any kind of family, I think there is the emotional tie and you do bleed for one another and you just want him to do well. I pull so hard for him."