Want to sing for your supper?

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. is giving away chicken parmesan sandwiches before Sunday’s Broncos-Raiders game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High to those who are willing to sing the insurance company theme song.

When game goers visit the Nationwide food truck, outside of Gate 2 at Sports Authority Field, sing the “Nationwide is on your side” jingle or come up with your own version similar to the one that Broncos QB Peyton Manning sings on the company’s TV ads .

The first 40,000 fans into the stadium also will receive a chicken-parm themed T-shirt.

(Nationwide Insurance photo)

Broncos star QB Peyton Manning is two years removed from his 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, but talk-show host David Letterman remains a die-hard Manning fan even though the quarterback has left Letterman’s hometown.

After a year off the gridiron because of a potential career-ending neck injury, the Colts released Manning in 2012. Indianapolis’ loss was Denver’s gain.

On Monday, Manning made his fourth appearance on the “Late Show With David Letterman” where he talked about his 3-year-old twins (a boy and girl), the ESPN special on the football-famed Manning family, the “Omaha” signal at the line of scrimmage and the career-threatening injury.

Here are some snippets of the conversation, according to a transcript synopsis at www.cbs.com/shows/late_show/wahoo_gazette/.

Dave raves about the ESPN special on the Manning family. (Peyton’s) dad Archie was an All-American and a legendary college and pro football player. The Manning boys, Cooper, Peyton, and Eli and were just normal rambunctious kids. The special included a lot of home movies. Peyton says he wishes there was a bit less footage of Peyton crying.

Dave asked about Peyton’s career-threatening injury that required neck surgery which resulted in nerve damage in his throwing arm. Peyton lost “awareness” of his arm. When he “wanted to throw a football here, the ball went over there.”

Manning admitted there are some throws he can longer do, but has developed other parts of his game. He likens himself to an aging, crafty baseball pitcher who can no longer throw the fastball past the hitter so has to learn other ways to get the batter out.

“What’s with the ‘Omaha Omaha!?” Letterman asks. Fans can hear Peyton bark out ‘Omaha’ when at the line of scrimmage. It is his way of signaling a new play at the line.
Manning admitted he hates how the sideline microphones can pick up what he’s yelling because other teams can pick that up and learn from it. “I’m thinking of barking out some derogatory comments about the NFL Commissioner (Roger Goodell) for everyone to hear instead of ‘Omaha Omaha.’…

Letterman and Manning finished their segments on Broadway to participate in the Late Show Quarterback Challenge (Monday night’s challenge: throw a football through an open window of a passing yellow taxi. Peyton completes two out of three, just like his NFL average. Dave was 0-for-3.

Peyton Manning got plenty of laughs and told several stories on David Letterman’s ‘The Late Show’ Monday night on CBS. (CBS/The Late Show photo)

Further proof that Peyton Manning is  not only a great quarterback, but a great person as well (but we knew that already).

According to a recent story in the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger, Manning sent an autographed framed photo to an 88-year-old University of Mississippi fan (and particularly a fan of the Manning family).

Polly Sistrunk received her best Christmas gift last December when she opened a large box filled with paper and bags and bubble wrap. Inside was a framed autographed picture of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. It was inscribed with a black marker: “To Polly, a big fan. Peyton Manning. 18.”

Read the entire story at www.clarionledger.com/article/20140130/NEWS01/301300051/Manning-fan-scores-big-autograph-from-Peyton.

Jewish Family Service of Colorado welcomes Archie Manning, football star and legend in life, as the speaker for its 10th annual JFS Executive Luncheon fundraiser on April 30.

The luncheon will be held at the Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton Street. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and the program will start at noon. Tickets are $150 and sponsorship packages start at $1,500. For more information or for tickets, contact Dawn Richard at 720-248-4605 or go to www.jewishfamilyservice.org/luncheon.

All proceeds from the event will help support programs of JFS, including mental health counseling, senior and adult in-home care, disability and employment services, and family safety net services. Founded in Denver in 1872, JFS is a nonprofit community agency serving people regardless of age, race, faith, or income.

When people think of Archie Manning, football immediately comes to mind. But Manning has inspired many with his warm personality, humor, drive, and commitment to family and community.

Manning and his wife, Olivia, have three sons, Cooper, Peyton and Eli. Archie and Olivia raised their sons with the philosophy that, “It’s the right thing to do, so do the right thing.” The result, which Archie and Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton capture so clearly, is a tribute to the values that Americans hold dear: work hard, stand up for what you believe in, treat each person with respect, and be grateful for what you have and for what you have achieved.

A former Pro Bowl quarterback and NFL MVP, Manning enjoyed a fabled football career, beginning at the University of Mississippi where he was named an All-American and is the only Ole Miss player to have his number retired.  He was elected to the 50-Year All-South Team (1940-90), named one of the Top 25 Athletes of the Century in Louisiana, and he and his son, Peyton, were named among the 100 all-time greatest college football players.

In 1971, Manning was the second player chosen in the NFL draft and the No. 1 draft choice of the New Orleans Saints. He set Saints’ passing records, played in two Pro Bowls and was named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1978. His prowess on the field and his sterling character have earned him as many awards as he scored touchdowns. Archie Manning concluded his 15-year NFL career in 1985.

Manning since has devoted his life to his family and to causes that he believes in, supporting the Special Olympics, Boy Scouts of America, The Salvation Army, and the United Way, among others.

Archie Manning will be the keynote speaker at the 10th annual Jewish Family Service of Colorado Executive Luncheon fundraiser on April 30.

Every time Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning yelled out “Omaha!” in Sunday 26-16 victory over  the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship, $800 will be donated to Manning’s Peyback Foundation.

Eight Omaha-based companies pledged to donate $800 to Manning’s foundation for at-risk kids. “Omaha” was trending on Twitter after Manning shouted it 44 times against the San Diego Chargers in last Sunday’s NFL divisional round playoff game. Manning reportedly barked “Omaha” 31 times on Sunday against the Patriots, earning $24,800 for the Peyback Foundation.

Manning told the media last week: “I’ve had a lot of people ask what ‘Omaha’ means and, uh, ‘Omaha’ is a run play. But it could be pass play or a play-action pass, depending on a couple of things,” Manning deadpanned amid laughter from reporters this week in Denver. “Wind. Which way we’re going (on the field) and, uh, the jerseys that we’re wearing. It varies, really, play-to-play. There’s your answer to that one.”

More important, the Broncos are heading back to Super Bowl XLVIII on Sunday, Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., to play the NFC champs, the Seattle Seahawks. It will be the Broncos’ seventh trip to the Super Bowl and their first since a 34-19 victory over Atlanta in Super Bowl XXXIII on Jan. 31, 1999 in Miami.

More love to Manning came from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, which named one of its recently born penguin chicks Peyton.

Late-night talk show host David Letterman used his national forum to ask the question on many football fans’ minds when former football great, talk-show host and Fox-TV NFL analyst Michael Strahan guested on the show Tuesday.

“I’m so tired of people screaming, ‘Omaha’…,” Letterman told Strahan, referring to Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning‘s favorite cue at the line of scrimmage. “Why does he do that?”

“Because (he) likes the steaks,” Strahan said.

Letterman also questioned why Manning moves around so much prior to the snap.

“When he goes to the line he looks like he’s got another job,” the talk-show host said. “He looks like he’s working part-time at a gift card store picking out stuff, running around, ‘Oh my God,’ we’re out of ribbon.’ Then he comes back and takes the snap. Is he the first guy to be so darn busy at his second job as a quarterback?”

“I don’t think anybody has made it look as difficult as Peyton,” Strahan said. “I’m still not buying all that is necessary. I think he says, ‘I’m doing all of this so kids at home think I’m cool.’ There’s no way, Dave, the other 10 guys on offense understand all that stuff. They’re not that smart.”

As to Strahan’s prediction for the Super Bowl? “Denver Broncos versus the Seattle Seahawks. But I could change my mind on Sunday.”

Former New York Giants defensive lineman and current TV host/analyst Michael Strahan, left, and David Letterman talked football, specifically Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning on ‘The Late Show With David Letterman” earlier this week. (Late Show/CBS photo)

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning‘s “Bud Light” remark during a press conference after Sunday’s victory over the San Diego Chargers, apparently got Colorado’s craft breweries in a lather.

Many were “hoppy” mad, according to Internet reports, when Manning had this to say following a question about whether retirement was weighing on his mind.

“What’s weighing on my mind is how soon I can get a Bud Light into my mouth,” he told members of the press. “That’s priority No. 1.”

Gulp! In a state that prides itself on being arguably the largest producer of microbrews (not to mention Golden’s Molson Coors’ operations), that comment equated to an incomplete pass.

And while Strange Brewing Co. and Denver Brewing Co. honchos expressed their displeasure with the QB’s statement, Longmont’s Left Hand Brewing Company threw a Hail Mary by sending cases of its local suds to Sports Authority Field at Mile High along with this note:

“Re: Omaha

“Mr. Manning,

“Just like you , we decided to call an audible and change the play at the line to provide you with some Colorado craft beer from Left Hand Brewery. We feel it’s a better play call.

“We’ll be cheering you on against the Patriots! Go Broncos!”

Left Hand Brewing Company may not have been pleased with Peyton Manning’s comments about drinking a Bud Light after the Denver Broncos’ victory over San Diego, but the Longmont brewer sends Good JuJu his way anyhow. (Left Hand Brewing Company photo)

As if Broncos uber QB Peyton Manning isn’t getting enough good publicity from the “legitimate” press these days, in steps fictional anchorman Ron Burgundy (aka funnyman Will Ferrell) with his own “hard-hitting” interview with No. 18 for a SportsCenter segment Thursday, Dec. 5 on ESPN.

Ferrell, who has been playing Burgundy in the news media (he anchored an entire half-hour on a Bismark, N.D., television station recently), will resurrect the character he made famous in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,” debuting on the big screen Dec. 18.

The YouTube trailer for the ESPN bit shows a split screen with the mustachioed anchorman interviewing Manning.

Burgundy opens the interview praising Manning despite the fact that the quarterback has gained significant success without the aid of a hairy lip.

“You look like a succulent baby lamb,” the anchorman observes while Manning chuckles.

Manning’s comeback: “I’ve managed to play quarterback OK without a mustache … Eli (little brother Manning and the New York Giants quarterback) tried to grow one but it didn’t look so good.”

Then Burgundy pulls out a “60 Minutes”-style probing question. “Tell me about your relationship with Thunder.”

Manning pauses and ponders. “You mean our mascot that runs up and down the field every time the Broncos score?”

Burgundy: “Oh yes, I’ve had my eye on that wonderful beast for decades.”

Note to Thunder owner Sharon Magness Blake: If you see a mustachioed man in a burgundy polyester suit lurking anywhere near Thunder, be afraid. Be very afraid.

To see the entire teaser, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JlFAgXQzao.

Perhaps the sure way to secure an autograph from Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is to invite him to your wedding. Sounds more tidy than playing the post-game waiting game or bidding beau coup bucks on a signed jersey during a charity auction.

In the case of Anna and James, a couple with a wedding last fall, all they had to do was send No. 18 a formal invitation, according to a post on Reddit. A photo of the signed invite went viral after a Redditor “Lackadaisical Romp” posted the pic of the wedding invitation sent by his sister.

Not only did Manning show his Southern gentlemanly manners by responding in a timely manner, but he checked off the “regretfully decline” box and added the inscription, “Anna and James, Best Wishes.”

A Yahoo. com poster quipped, “Perhaps our favorite comment about the photo comes courtesy of Redditor ‘MasterSplinter21′ who writes, ‘Eli (Manning) replied too, but his response was intercepted.’ Even with two Super Bowl rings and the Giants’ current winning streak, poor Eli still gets treated like the little brother.”

Peyton Manning’s response to attend a fan’s wedding. (Courtesy of Reddit)