Peyton Manning retiring? So says Rob Lowe

Topics: Football ,; Rumors

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, left, and actor Rob Lowe

(Credit: CBS/Getty Images)

(CBS/AP) Rob Lowe knows some things about Indiana. His hit show "Parks and Recreation" takes place there. He is a huge Indianapolis Colts fan and he's tight with team owner Jim Irsay.

So when the actor tweeted Wednesday that a certain guy named Peyton Manning was hanging up his cleats, people listened.

Well, not really. But people sure noticed.

Specifically, Lowe said he'd heard from "my people" that the Colts quarterback would retire later in the day.

Actor Rob Lowe looks on during the Indianapolis Colts and the Oakland Raiders NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California.

(Credit: Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Despite a wide-ranging backlash of bewilderment and ridicule, Lowe would not back off of the rumor, even telling NFL Network's Rich Eisen that he heard of the impending retirement from "a pretty darn good source."

There was no official word from Manning, the 35-year-old star who missed this season with a neck injury. But ESPN's Chris Mortensen tweeted that Manning's father, Archie, laughed at Lowe's report and said it wasn't true.

Team owner Irsay took a shot at his friend for the unfounded tweet, proclaiming that "sources" say Lowe will star in an "epic remake of 'Deep Throat' with aging porn stars and 4 finger circus clowns!"

Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith is a senior editor for CBSNews.com

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by DMCjake January 20, 2012 3:23 PM EST: Having had the same surgery that Peyton Manning had 14 years ago, when I read that he had had spinal bone fusion surgery, I knew he would never play again. His risk and mine, and that of anyone who has had cervical spine bone fusion surgery, is irreversible paralysis. Any extreme shock to the head carries that risk, according to neurosurgeons who perform this surgical procedure.; Reply to this comment


by fedup12 January 19, 2012 8:20 PM EST: There is an azz has to be in the limelight.

Cant let Peyton have his day.

If I was Peyton I would play another year or more just to screw the azzhole over.; Reply to this comment


by smittyc January 19, 2012 8:14 PM EST: Hard to say what's up. Manning is 35, has been injured and everybody else has been fired. Colts glory days ended when Dungy left, it just didn't show till now. If Manning stays, next season he won't last past the first good hit. The bigger picture is the Colts for the next several years will be an NFL doormat. Goooo Giants!!!; Reply to this comment


by Mr-Drivel January 19, 2012 5:50 PM EST: "epic remake of 'Deep Throat' with aging porn stars and 4 finger circus clowns!" Alright lets see it!!!; Reply to this comment

by formerlyluvnut January 19, 2012 2:41 PM EST

He should retire; with a spinal issue he can't risk any hits anymore. No game is worth the risk.

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by Raptorsmasher January 19, 2012 3:53 PM EST: Exactly!


by debbie1120 January 19, 2012 2:04 PM EST: And Rob Lowe is who? An actor, I'm sure his "friend" wants HIM to put this out. Don't you think that this message should come from Peyton and the Colts management?; Reply to this comment


by Forty-Four January 19, 2012 1:42 PM EST: "The voices told me when I was high yesterday"; Reply to this comment


by jackp32 January 19, 2012 12:38 PM EST: I hope it's true. Time for Peyton to move on rather than risk a disabling injury that could cripple him for the rest of his life.; Reply to this comment