wishtv.com
(Indianapolis-February 3, 2005) - Peyton Manning addressed both houses of the Indiana General Assembly Thursday afternoon as he was honored for a successful season with the Indianapolis Colts. His message included a subtle pitch for a new stadium.
Manning didn’t go to the statehouse to lobby - at least, that wasn't the stated reason. But that may well be the effect of his appearance Thursday.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning threw a football in the state senate. He made a second completion in the Indiana house and the effort to connect with lawmakers took on a bigger meaning because they are currently considering a financing package for a new stadium.
“I do plan on being a Colt for life and living here all my life and I can't thank you enough for having me here today,” Manning told lawmakers.
It’s a message that can't hurt stadium efforts, according to Mayor Bart Peterson. The mayor was lobbying in the state senate Thursday. “It sort of illustrates how important the Colts are to us,” said Peterson. “If we don't have the Colts we lose more than those games on Sunday. We lose the presence in our community of people like Peyton Manning.”
While leaving the statehouse afterward, Manning said about the new stadium, "I hope it happens." But he wouldn't discuss details. “I can give you good answers about the blitz and the zone defense but I sort of leave that to the mayor and the legislation. I know what the goals are and obviously I know what I want but that wasn't the intention today.”
Manning traveled to and from the Super Bowl site in Jacksonville, Florida just to meet with lawmakers.
The Manning visit comes at a time when a stadium-financing bill is stalled over questions about the new gambling it calls for. Committee chairman Bob Alderman hasn't scheduled a vote and admits it’s “somewhere in limbo.”
It’s clear the stadium was on the mind of House Speaker Brian Bosma. “So thank you so much and we'll see what we can do about the other part,” Bosma told Manning.
(Indianapolis-February 3, 2005) - Peyton Manning addressed both houses of the Indiana General Assembly Thursday afternoon as he was honored for a successful season with the Indianapolis Colts. His message included a subtle pitch for a new stadium.
Manning didn’t go to the statehouse to lobby - at least, that wasn't the stated reason. But that may well be the effect of his appearance Thursday.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning threw a football in the state senate. He made a second completion in the Indiana house and the effort to connect with lawmakers took on a bigger meaning because they are currently considering a financing package for a new stadium.
“I do plan on being a Colt for life and living here all my life and I can't thank you enough for having me here today,” Manning told lawmakers.
It’s a message that can't hurt stadium efforts, according to Mayor Bart Peterson. The mayor was lobbying in the state senate Thursday. “It sort of illustrates how important the Colts are to us,” said Peterson. “If we don't have the Colts we lose more than those games on Sunday. We lose the presence in our community of people like Peyton Manning.”
While leaving the statehouse afterward, Manning said about the new stadium, "I hope it happens." But he wouldn't discuss details. “I can give you good answers about the blitz and the zone defense but I sort of leave that to the mayor and the legislation. I know what the goals are and obviously I know what I want but that wasn't the intention today.”
Manning traveled to and from the Super Bowl site in Jacksonville, Florida just to meet with lawmakers.
The Manning visit comes at a time when a stadium-financing bill is stalled over questions about the new gambling it calls for. Committee chairman Bob Alderman hasn't scheduled a vote and admits it’s “somewhere in limbo.”
It’s clear the stadium was on the mind of House Speaker Brian Bosma. “So thank you so much and we'll see what we can do about the other part,” Bosma told Manning.
