The dust hadn’t lifted — or even begun collecting — on Peyton Manning’s retirement when DeAngelo Williams began debunking the hagiographies that were being written.
Before the 39-year-old legend was set to officially announce his retirement on Monday, the Steelers running back fought with media and fans who were spreading the good word of Peyton Manning.
While Manning’s off-the-field persona is being reexamined in light of 1996 allegations that he sexually harassed a trainer at Tennessee, his play between the sidelines has seldom been questioned. Williams is ready to question it, at least during Manning’s last-gasp seasons.
Williams rejected the narrative that was popping up — that even at the tail end, the gunslinger still had it. And sure, while he steered the Broncos’ ship to a Super Bowl 50 victory, Manning’s play had dropped off a cliff last season, throwing 17 picks in only nine games started before being pulled for both injury and ineffectiveness.
So the longtime Panthers running back had had enough of the retroactive admirations, saying that if 39-year-old Peyton Manning were not named Peyton Manning, he wouldn’t have even been in the league last season.
In an extended back-and-forth with CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, who was watching Denver’s Week 8 matchup with Green Bay, a 29-10 win in which Manning threw for 340 yards, Williams didn’t worry about raining on Manning’s parade.
“Still could play” reported Prisco. Williams, who was injured for the Steelers’ divisional-round loss to the Broncos, wasn’t buying it.
👀? Why is it that while he's playing the media says he needs to retire then when he retires "he still can play"😳🤔 https://t.co/o5dexqOSI2
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 7, 2016
Prisco maintained senescent Manning still was a viable quarterback — “better than some” — while Williams literally responded with laughs.
👀ing and he had a mountain of picks and break ups but u find the 6plays all season that looked good https://t.co/HqDZnEICVJ
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 7, 2016
😂u are kidding me right last year Peyton manning without the name would never have been in the NFL anywhere Pete😡😡 https://t.co/C4PvxGztIh
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 7, 2016
The 32-year-old Williams went as far as to say the quarterback of his 2010 Panthers — the wildly forgettable Jimmy Clausen — would be better than 2015 Manning was.
Yes 2010 jimmy is better than 2015 Peyton manning (the panthers didn't have the defense Peyton had) https://t.co/c8CZN81O9d
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 7, 2016
Prisco didn’t appreciate that one.
@deangelorb Stop, DeAngelo. Stop.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) March 7, 2016
