Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset as a Super Bowl champion again, but there was unfinished business with Al Jazeera’s HGH allegations that were still dangling over his head.
When the accusations of Manning’s wife accepting HGH shipments were reported by Al Jazeera America, Manning denied the allegations and threatened to sue the publication. Peyton and his attorneys have reached a decision, and a source told USA Today the following about the potential lawsuit:
A person familiar with Manning’s strategy who was not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY Sports in a recent conversation that the former quarterback has decided after a dozen conference calls with attorneys that he doesn’t want to spend the time and money necessary to file a lawsuit that would make public the personal records and private lives of both he and his wife Ashley.
Manning also has a strategic trick up his sleeve, according to the person. Major League Baseball’s Ryan Zimmerman and Ryan Howard also were named in the Al Jazeera America report, and both did sue the network for libel in January.
Manning is watching those two cases closely, the person said, figuring that if they are eventually dismissed, he will know any prospective suit he might have filed would have been, too.
Manning deciding not to sue Al Jazeera is the smart move here. Peyton retired a champion, so pursuing a lawsuit that would expose details of his private life could further tarnish his legacy. The best thing here is to move forward and let the controversy fade away with time.