NFL fans are eagerly awaiting Super Bowl LV between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs next month. The game promises to be an entertaining contest between the six-time champion, Tom Brady, and last year’s Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes. Tom Brady will be looking to make history by becoming the second quarterback to lead two different teams to a Super Bowl title. However, Brady’s former rival, Peyton Manning, recently aimed a dig at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback on his popular football show.

Manning recently made a joke about deflategate on his ESPN show

Ever since Manning retired from the NFL, he has been hosting a show titled, “Peyton’s Places” which airs on ESPN+. The popular media analyst made history during his playing career by leading the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos to Super Bowl victories. While many pundits expect Brady to replicate Manning’s achievement, the former NFL MVP took a shot at Brady by making a joke about the deflategate scandal. In a recent episode of “Peyton’s Places,” Manning interviewed actor, Kurt Russell, and the two talked about the 1986 film, “The Best of Times.” Russell played the role of a quarterback in the movie, and he revealed that he used slightly smaller balls to improve his grip because he had injured his hand.

However, Manning interjected and joked that Russell had copied the trick from the New England Patriots.

Brady and Manning had an intense rivalry for close to two decades

The former Denver Broncos quarterback was referring to the 2014 deflategate scandal that led to the NFL suspending Brady for four games. The league accused Brady of conspiring to deflate footballs during the AFC championship title game between the Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts.

The Patriots won the game by a 45-7 score line, but details later emerged that Brady had sanctioned the deflating of footballs at half time because he preferred to grip softer balls.

It will be interesting to see whether the 43-year-old quarterback will respond to Manning’s latest jibe. The two players had an intense rivalry for close to two decades, and they provided fans with some unforgettable moments on the pitch.

In their 17 games against each other, Brady won on 11 occasions, but Manning has a slight 3-2 edge in their playoff matchups. While the two players were competing against each other, they have since formed a good friendship off the pitch. Manning hosted Tom Brady on the first season of “Peyton’s Places,” and the two quarterbacks reflected on their playing careers. However, Manning’s latest comments could sour his improved relationship with Brady. Even though the former New England Patriots quarterback is regarded as the greatest player of all time, some fans have used the deflategate scandal to question his legacy. Nevertheless, Brady will have an opportunity to silence his critics by winning his seventh Super Bowl title.
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