Colts owner Irsay insists team, Manning remains unified

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has released a statement saying that the team as well as quarterback Peyton Manning remains ‘close and unified’ following yet another disagreement between the pair.

Irsay and the Colts released the statement on Friday following an intriguing Thursday where Manning, 36 who is attempting to comeback from a third bout of neck surgery differentiated on whether the former number one pick was medically cleared to play.

“Peyton Manning, Jim Irsay and the entire Colts family remain close and unified as we continue to work through all the options that relate to his future with the Colts,” read the official Colts statement. “The present focus is on the Super Bowl and the great game that awaits.”

That statement also included a picture of Manning standing with National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell and Irsay which was taken at a party on Thursday night which was hosted by the Colts.

However it was a different story earlier on Thursday with Manning’s surgeon, Dr. Robert Watkins Sr. released a statement stating the four-time MVP and one time Super Bowl champion was “medically cleared to play professional football.”

Irsay responded in the early hours of Friday morning by tweeting that: “Peyton has not passed our physical nor has he been cleared to play for The Indianapolis Colts. Team statement coming on Friday.”

Manning’s agent, Tom Condon then appeared on the NFL Network’s ‘Super Bowl Live’ reinstating that his star client: “certainly expects to return to play, and he wants to play; he’s enthusiastic about it.”

It is widely expected that the Manning has played his final game with the Colts and will be released from his contract, maybe as soon as next week following a year where the 36-year-old missed the entire season due to his neck injury.