MIAMI (AP) – For 60 minutes the questions came at Peyton Manning, sometimes several at once, on topics ranging from his childhood to “American Idol” to Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
Facing a semicircle of reporters and cameramen six deep, Manning joked a little, reminisced a lot and seemed to enjoy his first Super Bowl media day.
Still to come are the 60 minutes that matter most, when Manning’s Indianapolis Colts play Chicago for the NFL title.
The game’s most prolific passer is playing in the Super Bowl for the first time at age 30. His father, Archie, was a star NFL quarterback for 14 years who never had a shot at a title.
Younger brother Eli has yet to come close in three seasons with the New York Giants.
This actually will be Manning’s third or fourth Super Bowl. He was a spectator at the San Francisco-Denver game in 1990 and the Green Bay-New England game in 1997, both in his hometown of New Orleans. He said he also might have been there as a 4-year-old in 1981 when Oakland beat Philadelphia.
But he hasn’t attended a title game since turning pro and joining the Colts in 1998.
Manning earned a stay until Monday by leading Indy to three consecutive playoff wins, including a come-from-behind victory over New England for the AFC title.
There will be more news conferences through Thursday, but Manning must wait until Sunday to answer the big question: Will he win a ring?