Total Pro Sports
Peyton Manning isn’t spending much time worrying about a photo that has resurfaced online. The Hall of Fame quarterback, who has largely stayed out of the political attention throughout his post-NFL career, is facing renewed attention after an old image of him posing with Donald Trump Jr. began making the rounds on social media again.
The photo, originally posted in 2016, shows Manning standing beside Trump Jr. during what appeared to be a casual event. With more than 5,000 likes on X as of Sunday, the image sparked plenty of reactions, especially given the current political climate. But Manning, known more for dissecting defenses than discussing politics, isn’t offering an apology.
When asked about the viral image, Manning reportedly downplayed the uproar. “I’ve taken thousands of photos with people over the years,” he said, according to a source close to the former quarterback. “I’m not in the business of explaining every one of them.”
That stance isn’t surprising for someone who has generally kept his political views private. However, campaign finance records do paint a clear picture of where his support has gone. According to the Federal Election Commission, Manning has donated $17,900 to Republican candidates since 2004. That includes $7,300 to Mitt Romney’s presidential run and $2,700 to Jeb Bush during his 2016 primary bid against Donald Trump.
Hanging out with Peyton Manning at the Neshoba County Fair that started in 1889. #MakeAmericaGreatAgain #Trump2016 pic.twitter.com/90lKiPfH4y
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 26, 2016
While other athletes have chosen to publicly break with the GOP or distance themselves from the Trump family, Manning hasn’t followed suit. His approach seems consistent: steer clear of the outrage cycle, focus on the things he loves- football, family, and media.
Manning now spends much of his time building Omaha Productions, the company behind the successful Manningcast on ESPN. He’s also expanding into scripted entertainment, developing a “Chad Powers” project with actor Glen Powell. That shift into entertainment has kept him in the public eye, but rarely in the crosshairs of political debate.
Still, in today’s hyper-connected world, even an eight-year-old photo can spark controversy. But if Manning’s reaction is any indication, he has no plans to address the noise. He’s never claimed to be a political voice, and based on his response, he doesn’t intend to start now.
