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Give Irsay some credit for at least trying to put a good public relations spin on things. Some owners -- perhaps his late father, who fled Baltimore with the Colts in the middle of the night -- would have simply issued a press release and made sure Manning was around to clean out his locker.
Still, it was a surreal sight -- Manning standing just behind Irsay and looking on while the owner choked up describing how much the quarterback meant to him. It figures to be even more surreal next month when Irsay stands in the same room with another quarterback -- future No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck -- and talks about what a great future the Colts will have with their new star. After all, it was Manning who was a top pick himself 14 seasons ago.
"We all know that nothing lasts forever," Manning said. "Times change, circumstances change, and that's the reality of playing in the NFL."
For Manning, that reality is tempered by the fact he will have another press conference in the coming months. He'll put on another team's hat, declare himself excited to be a (insert team name) and say another Super Bowl is his goal. He'll have no lack of suitors, with teams so desperate for a quarterback of his caliber that they will line up to give him millions despite his advancing age and concerns over his health.
The Colts can move on, too. There's a new coach, new people in the front office, and soon there will be a new team on the field. Fans can move on, too, with the focus shifting from Manning's health to the tantalizing possibility that Luck will be the Colts' next superstar quarterback.
It is, as Manning says, the reality of playing in the NFL. Someone is always going to be looking for your job, and someday someone will get it.
Doesn't matter if you salvaged a franchise. Doesn't matter if you built a stadium.
Nothing personal. Just business.
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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