Peyton Manning pardons Caitlin Clark for her mistake involving Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
In a town where Peyton Manning’s influence is deeply felt, the emergence of rookie basketball sensation Caitlin Clark has sparked an unexpected sports rivalry.
Clark, the former Iowa Hawkeyes standout and top pick in the WNBA draft, has garnered praise for her scoring abilities. However, her support for the Kansas City Chiefs, notably Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, has generated attention in Indianapolis, the historic base of the Manning family and the Colts, whom they’ve long supported.
Caitlin Clark’s sports allegiances spark debate
Throughout her illustrious college career, Clark, the record-breaking basketball standout, openly professed her fandom for the Kansas City Chiefs, the formidable AFC West team led by stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Raised in Des Moines, Iowa, the 22-year-old sharpshooter fondly reminisced about annual family trips to Arrowhead Stadium to cheer on the Chiefs.
On the red carpet at the premiere of Episode 1 of ESPN+ Original Series, Full Court Press, Manning humorously addressed Clark’s NFL loyalties, jokingly forgiving her for being a Chiefs fan.
As Clark gears up for her regular-season debut with the Indiana Fever on May 14 against the Connecticut Sun, the basketball world eagerly anticipates the arrival of a player hailed as the sport’s next transcendent talent. However, in Indianapolis, her journey has also captured the attention of one of the city’s most iconic sports figures.
Manning, the former Colts quarterback and future Hall of Famer, expressed enthusiasm about Clark’s arrival in the Circle City, despite their differing NFL affiliations.
“It’s awesome, and, like I said, I really enjoyed getting to know Caitlin even more,” Manning remarked. “Throughout this series, she was a guest on our show, the Monday night show, last year.”
In jesting about Clark’s Chiefs fandom, Manning underlined his confidence that Indianapolis would prove to be an excellent fit for the promising rookie.
“She’s going to love Indianapolis,” Manning affirmed. “I gave her all of my contacts at the airport, at St. Elmo’s, and it’s a great place for her to play. I’m looking forward to watching her.”
The five-time NFL MVP also shared a personal connection with Clark, noting her admission that she grew up “watching me play.” Their acquaintance developed through Clark’s involvement in the ESPN documentary series Full Court Press, produced by Manning’s Omaha Productions company, prior to her professional destination being determined.
During media discussions, Clark praised Manning as a valuable resource, emphasizing his support for women’s basketball.
For Clark, joining the Fever marks the beginning of a professional journey brimming with high expectations. As the NCAA Division I’s all-time leading scorer, she captivated audiences with her long-range shooting and offensive prowess, drawing comparisons to NBA star Steph Curry.
Entering a city that reveres athletic greatness, with Manning as its emblem, Clark’s warm welcome, coupled with Manning’s humorous nod to her NFL allegiance, suggests that her on-court talent has already endeared her to Indianapolis fans.
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