The Fan Hub

The ongoing impasse in between Colts owner Jim Irsay and quarterback Peyton Manning is headed to one of the most inexplicably ugly divorces in sports history.

Manning's tenure in Indianapolis is about to end with two bullheaded egomaniacs battling over the city's loyalty instead of with a gold watch, facecake, and No. 18 hanging from the rafters of Lucas Oil Stadium Week 1.

See, without Rob Lowe's misguided Tweet declaring Manning's imminent retirement on Jan. 18, Manning and Irsay could have pushed back the $28 million bonus Peyton is due March 8 indefinitely. The indefinitely tag would allow Manning to continue rehabbing his injured neck and the Colts to draft Andrew Luck while not placing unneeded pressure on the situation. The charade would end sometime around June and Manning would announce his retirement, citing the whole, you know, not wanting to be a vegetable at 36 years-old thing.

Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Instead, Lowe's tweet set ablaze Manning's festering frustration with Irsay and the direction he's taken the Colts organization over the past few months. It's no coincidence that Manning — who had been radio silent during the Colts' 2-14 campaign — suddenly spoke up after "Sodapop Curtis" prematurely ended his career. Manning knows Irsay and Lowe are good friends and knows of his owner's loose lips. To think Manning doesn't blame Irsay for Lowe's tweet would be naive.

In the aftermath of Eddy Nero's tweet, Manning and Irsay fired shots back and forth through Indianapolis Star reporter Bob Kravitz throughout the week, sending the national media and Indianapolis into a tizzy. First, it was Manning explaining the toxic recovery environment in Colts facilities right now.

“I’m not in a very good place for healing, let’s say that,” Manning said in an interview with Kravitz. “It’s not a real good environment down there right now, to say the least. Everybody’s walking around on eggshells. I don’t recognize our building right now. There’s such complete and total change.”

He continued, “I just want to pay tribute to all those guys. It’s unfortunate because so many of them have been such a big part of so many big wins here, and this is so … sudden. Their keys didn’t work the next day. There’s no other way to do it? I don't know. That’s hard to see, all these people leaving. And I may be behind them. Who knows?”

In other words, shots fired.

Irsay retaliated by criticizing Manning for taking his grievances public, calling him a "politician," and introducing us to his new concept called "protecting the horseshoe."

That sound you heard throughout the week was ESPN's First Take producer Jamie Horowitz having Favrowgasm.

Hoping to quell the Favreization of their impending break-up, Manning and Irsay released a joint statement earlier today:

"We would like to dispel any misperception that there might be any hard feelings between us. Since 1998, we have enjoyed a great relationship, based upon mutual respect and trust. We have always been able to talk and address matters we've faced over the years, not just as owner and player, but as friends. We had a long talk today and we want to assure Colts fans everywhere that we are both committed to maintaining our close relationship and to working together through any challenges the future may bring."

Show me an elite quarterback whose ego wouldn't be bruised in this situation and I'll introduce you to a well-adjusted child actor.

The statement has the sincerity of a Kardashian sister. Really, Peyton? No hard feelings? Your ego isn't bruised in the least?

Right.

Show me an elite quarterback whose ego wouldn't be bruised in this situation and I'll introduce you to a well-adjusted child actor.

For the next five weeks, the Colts and Manning will engage in a civil Cold War where neither side has anything negative to say, or, more likely, nothing to say at all. Both sides may attempt to save face locally by pushing Manning's roster bonus back a month, but there is a zero percent chance Manning is on the roster when the Colts make Andrew Luck the No. 1 overall pick this April.

An avoidable tragedy ignited by a man who thought it was a good idea to play Drew Peterson in a Lifetime movie.

And the saddest part of this whole equation is that Manning will still retire in June or July teamless and broken, a Favrian exit for a consummate good citizen.