Peyton Manning, Part I: The Jim Irsay Thing

“Remember the day I set you free, told you you could always count on me, darlin.’” – Marvin Gaye, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Photo “courtesy” of ThePenaltyFlagBlog)

Really, Jim Irsay? Did you have to do it like that.

ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky – “Newest Irsay spin on Manning” (Feb. 14, 2012)

“We can work out the contract if he wants to come back,” Irsay said. “We want him to make the call. He’s earned that. We want him to have the chance of finishing his career here if that’s what he wants to do.”

Reads more like you know you’re going to get divorced, you know there’s going to be collateral, and you’re just playing the PR game.

“Listen, friends, family, and now-former-parents-in-law… This was mutual.”

Sounds like you know you haven’t gone about it the right way, or that you’re nervous about negative coverage, or that you’re just afraid of losing Peyton Manning.

Divorce isn’t easy, and the Catholic church doesn’t condone it. (I know that still has a lot of influence.) But, really, Jim Irsay, can’t you just be open and honest, and admit that you’re into someone younger?