Skeletons In The Closet
Eli will always be a big dorky kid to me. But it turns out Peyton might be a bit of a scumbag.
I’m sort of withholding complete judgement on this Peyton story for now. Bottom line is I think it’s obvious he did it and I’ll probably look at him differently from now on, and parts of the story were really damning (The incident is one thing which honestly I can basically forgive him for, it’s the almost vindictive spite of ruining her career for years afterward that really bothers me), but at the moment all we have is a report from Dr. Naughright’s point of view written by her lawyers, and an incredibly over-dramatic article written by a well known controversy magnet (Shaun King). Seriously on a story this ugly, the author should not have been trending on twitter before the actual subject of the piece. That’s how much Shaun King angers people. I appreciated the info the article dropped, but my god it was over-dramatic. Way too much self-insertion by King, he practically made the article a story about himself writing the article. It was a really off-putting way to read what should be important news.
The lack of response from Peyton so far is kind of disconcerting. It feels to me like PR people are scrambling to come up with a good counter attack plan. When the HGH story hit he almost immediately came out to refute it. But he hasn’t said a thing about this? And now he’s named in a lawsuit against Tennessee for how the university allowed a hostile sexual environment for women.
It just makes you sit back and wonder about people. It makes you wonder about those rumors and stories you hear from friends of friends, in random corners of the internet or at parties. We shouldn’t put sports stars on pedestals like we do. He wouldn’t be the first major athlete to have skeletons exposed.
If all of this is true I hope Dr. Naughright finally gets some justice in all of this. Right now I’m just interested to see how things go from here. I want this story to get big enough that Peyton has to acknowledge it, and hopefully gets big enough that Nationwide/Papa John have to kill those ads due to controversy. I hate those damn commercials.
😀
Eli’s a smart man. Nothing is cooler than the legos with the clear orange saws.
I wish I could say I’m surprised about Peyton, but sadly I’m not. I’ve just kinda become numb to the whole “Hey it turns out this model citizen athlete did some bad things at one time” feeling after the Ray Rice video. I lived near Baltimore at the time, and the guy did a ton of charity work, he was the consummate “right way” guy. Then suddenly there’s a video of him decking his wife, and everything’s on its head. Shit like this doesn’t shock me ever since that, whether it’s Greg Hardy or Aroldis Chapman or Hope Solo or god knows who else, and that’s sad.
Like you said, the fact that Peyton tried to slander Naughtright after the fact makes it worse. If he had admitted to it in the book, tried to make amends and show contrition, and owned up to his stupidity, that’d be one thing. Everyone makes mistakes and stupid decisions, and while some are much worse than others and hurt other people much more – me forgetting to buy my brother’s birthday gift isn’t as bad as Peyton shoving his bare ass on a woman’s face, and that’s not as bad as John Doe deciding he’s so mad at Doe Johnson for supporting Bernary Bushtrump that he’s going to shoot him, etc. – if people show a sincere desire to make things right, then they deserve a second chance to do so. It would still be awful and offensive what he did, but there’s a big difference between “I did this fucked-up thing. It was stupid, unacceptable, and how I hurt the victim was wrong, and I hope they can forgive me.” and “It’s not as bad as they said it was, they’re mostly lying. Also they were a dick, and my dad says they’re a slut, too.” Plus lets be honest, Peyton had just won his first MVP in 2003 when the book came out, he wasn’t in any danger of losing his job even if he owned up to it. The cover-up is worse than the crime, as they say.
Yes! Ice Planet Legos!
I have a feeling that this whole thing is going to be a mess.
But this has been around for 13 years, why do people all of the sudden care about this now?
1. Brand new lawsuit was just filed accusing UT of having a hostile work environment for women for decades. This incident is one of the specific cases mentioned in the case, so it’s relevant again.
2. Because it gets views and it’s a story that basically writes itself. The same reason that 2008-2011 Ray Lewis’ whole murder thing was largely forgotten by a lot of people, then everyone remembered it in the run-up to Superbowl 47.
Also we have access to the court documents now.
Because people always love to bring others down in their highest moments.
IF Peyton responds outside of a courtroom, he could get sued per the terms of the arrangement, it’s happened to him twice already. He can’t publicly say anything to defend himself which makes this whole situation kinda tricky.
I didn’t know about that, that’s interesting. I wonder if that is to keep the drama mostly contained or so that he can’t drum up public support against the plaintiff.
He signed a confidentially clause. He violated it with his book a few years back. Now the courts are involved.
Thats what I read
He violated it with his book, and already paid her for the defamation and the violation of that clause.
The courts are involved now in something different, where this is one paragraph of a hundreds-of-pages-long complaint, mostly focusing on the last five years. The Peyton thing was settled; it’s not on trial, it’s being used as evidence of a long-standing tradition of sexual misconduct in the school.
I’m genuinely curious what happened to piss him off so much. I mean, this seems so out of character.
I’m not saying it pardons him if this stuff is true; if it is, he’s a nastily vindictive jerk. I just want to know what the frack happened that made him decide to hate someone that much.
Probably the same thing that motivated Tom Brady to call his Under Armour shirts “199” or Michael Jordan to invite his high school coach to his HOF induction only to bitch him out for not putting him on the varsity team however many years ago. Elite athletes seem to hold grudges for perceived slights. Plus if you subscribe to the theory that the controversy surrounding this is why Peyton didn’t win the Heisman it starts to make a lot more sense.
I’d want to say Payton is innocent, but after reading that article, and the court documents, he’s guilty as hell. HOF bid gone. Also, Dave missed a golden opportunity at a Sexy Rexy poster 😉
“HOF bid gone”
incorrect. no matter what happens here, peyton is a first ballot hall of famer
Seriously, Peyton could have done everything the article says in cold blood and he’s still a first ballot choice. It’s not like he Darren Sharper’d or Aaron Hernandez’d anyone either.
I was about to post what GreyCr0ss posted, so I’ll just note that hooray, Eli got another rocket pop!
The more I’m reading from King, the more I think he’s a slimy tool.
McNair, Moon, or Cunningham would have been in the same place Manning is– plenty of black athletes from the 1990s got passes for things far worse than Manning. This isn’t about race; it’s about standards of the time. As King points out, today, there’s social media out the wazoo, and EVERYONE’S lives are more under the microscope than ever before. If Peyton did the same thing today, he’d be as deeply scorned as Manziel, and more hated than Cam.
Freaking hell I hate the media. Peyton settled, and from the sounds of things, he was the least part of the problem at Tennessee (it sounds like he may well have been encouraged to it by a member of the football staff). Not pardoning Peyton, if he did it– I want that to be clear. It was dumb, it was crude, and what is especially awful is what happened *afterward*. I actually wouldn’t have much of a problem with it if he’d just been, “Man, it was dumb. It was a spur of the moment prank that just wasn’t appropriate at all.” I mean, Peyton’s had a reputation of pranking “the guys”, and I dunno ’bout y’all, but when I was in high school and college, that kind of thing was *COMMON*. Not as bullying– my best friends did things that, if done to strangers, would be absolutely unconscionable. But she’s definitely not the person to do that to, and as has been said, it’s his actions *afterward* that seem to move it from “prank” to “hateful attack”. A shame.
But he’s not getting a pass because of Race. He’s getting a pass because the media gave passes to athletes for things many people would just dismiss as “boys being boys” back then. Judging people– and especially judging the way others judge other people– by current standards is breaking History Rule #1. And yes, our standards on things like sexual harassment, bullying, and women in positions of authority in male sports has changed a lot in these last 20 years. And, as importantly, our capacity to *report* on it has changed dramatically. Our ability to know *everything* has changed dramatically.
There was no Facebook. There was no Twitter. There was barely Google. America Online was still a major thing. People used phone-line modems, and cell phones in the class room were the realm of spoiled rich kids. I’m going to be pissed as hell if this conversation goes the way King has been pushing it– not as “Peyton did something bad, and followed it by doing something awful,” but as “Because he’s white, no one cared” and we get more rounds of “HERE’S HOW EVERYTHING IS RACIST!”
Screw Shaun King.
“our capacity to *report* on it has changed dramatically”
Yes exactly, the efficiency and pervasiveness of the media recently (especially outfits like TMZ) has gotten to the point that in 5-10 years all your childhood heroes will be ruined. Cosby is a rapist, Hogan is a racist, Payton is a sexual harasser (also maybe did HGH), pretty soon there will be no potential role models left. I know that these guys did bad things and need to be punished for them, but at a certain point there will be no more delightful famous people to look up to because we will just assume every last one of them has dirty secrets, lame…
I honestly wouldn’t call Peyton a sexual harasser for this, on these grounds:
If Peyton had done the *exact same thing* to a male doctor (and I know dudes who *do* and who *would*… hell, some of my best friends did that kind of thing to each other), it wouldn’t have the “sexual” tag. Not saying that makes it okay, but not everything involving penises is sexual.
Besides, that kind of undermines the part about this story that is actually awful– the being that, after she was gone, the actual harassment appears to have followed her, and ruined her career. *THAT* is actually damaging. A doctor/physician/whatever seeing some dude’s junk isn’t life altering– or shouldn’t be– for someone in her career. Even having it shoved in her face. Inappropriate, absolutely. But unless there’s more to the story (like he started grinding it in there, and going, “Oh baby you like that?” or similar), it’s just, “Look at me being a (and at my) butthole.”
Honestly, I don’t know if this happened or not, and I hate journalism on events before or outside of a trial on criminal matters, or on things that are perceived as such. There are times where it is necessary– where the court takes no action– but in each of these two cases, she not only sued, but did so to the point successfully settling to the tune of more than 300k (the amount of one suit; the other I don’t recall reading or was unreleased). This isn’t a case of some grievous miscarriage of justice, and she doesn’t seem to be the person continuing to bring things forward or wanting this in the media.
Bringing it out now isn’t about seeing justice done to someone: it is about destroying someone’s reputation, and I freaking hate King for doing that for the sake of his own Twitter score.
“Not saying that makes it okay, but not everything involving penises is sexual.”
In my state it pretty much is, in the eyes of the law.
Just mooning someone can land you on the Sexual Offenders registry. So can public urination.
There are a lot of things that legally are one thing, but are practically a different thing.
While I get that those are things that are legal things you’re talking about, I’m more interested in deconstructing the law to make more sense than in catering to it as a source of definitions. Laws were created by politicians, who tend to be more charismatic than intelligent, and more persuaded by”what’s catchy” and “what can make a headline?” than “What makes sense in the real world?” “In the eyes of the law” isn’t a universal, unending thing. It’s a malleable thing that needs supervised and corrected frequently.
“Bringing it out now isn’t about seeing justice done to someone: it is about destroying someone’s reputation, and I freaking hate King for doing that for the sake of his own Twitter score.”
Yep, and look here, now we find out that David Bowie had sex with underage girls back in the 70’s and 80’s (consensual but still minors, possibly drugs were involved) so now you can’t remember him fondly either. I know you can’t erase things these people have done but the modern media seems bent on ruining the legacy of every dead/no longer relevant superstar one after another…
This might actually be not only my favorite comics on this sight but favorite thing ever
Reminder that Shaun King is the guy who pretended (and still pretends) to be black to get hired and special recognition
That said, Every defense lawyer who works for the famous and wealthy that’s any good at all will always tell them to settle out of court regardless of guilt or innocence, as much more damage can occur from a trial where one is proven innocent than just signing some papers behind closed doors that pays a person to make them shut the hell up.
Chances are Peyton did some of what he’s being accused of, but most likely not all. The fact he feels the need to take parting shots is a sign he probably isn’t guilty of the balls in face and honestly feels like he was forced in to a wholly unfair situation where it became he said-she said and the burden of proof fell on to the accused.
The rest of the charges though, the ones levied at the whole group at Tennessee, those are probably much more close to home judging by the way they’ve been handled from top to bottom. And if he had anything to do with them, as he most likely did, then he’ll rightly get taken for some serious dough (this is a pizza joke)
Quick correction here: Shaun King is without a doubt black. The story of him pretending to be black was spread by Breitbart writer Milo Yiannopoulos, who is MUCH more of a slimebag and hack journalist than Shaun King could ever hope to be. It’s been proven false several times over, and I don’t want to give any credence to Breitbart’s writing.
We can disagree with what the guy wrote, but let’s not spread false rumors about the guy. He was just trying to bring some justice to a woman that – if the allegations are true – the Manning family unjustly racked over the coals.
Honestly can say I never saw or heard tale of the rebuttal. Having taken the time to look in to it I am inclined to agree with you on the subject. Thank you for taking the time to present a clear and respectful rebuttal
No prob, friend! 🙂 For anyone else wondering what this story is, Slate has a write-up here:
http://www.salon.com/2015/08/21/the_plot_to_destroy_shaun_king_how_breitbart_turned_a_ludicrous_conspiracy_theory_into_national_news/
No, he’s not trying to bring justice to her. She already did her legal stuff, and settled both times for pretty large sums of money. Justice was done for her.
King is trying to destroy Manning’s name for the sake of his own Twitter follows and his own money. Manning didn’t get away with anything. You can argue that Manning has so much money that it makes no difference to him– but coming away with 300K+ an undisclosed amount (likely in excess of 600k, based on her salary and what Manning’s actions cost her), she received money that made a difference in her life. She probably didn’t want that, and would have preferred to keep working, but she still agreed (since that’s what a settlement is) that this at least partly made up for it.
This has nothing to do with justice, and everything to do with selfish journalism more interested in a story than anything else.
If Shaun King has pretended to be anyone, I really really hope it is former Tulane and Buccaneer QB Shaun King.
Shaun King is black. If you think he’s a jerk, that’s whatever. If you think he’s over the top and dramatic, that’s whatever. But one thing he isn’t is a liar.
Ok. Here is where I let out all my anger.
Clearly after reading this article Peyton is guilty. I would love to fight back but I cant cause he’s guilty. But I can say one thing. Shaun King is an absolute jerk. He shouldn’t be a hit on Twitter like Dave said. This story shouldn’t be something the whole country is talking about. And just cause Peyton is guilty he still deserves those two super bowl rings. He still deserves his 200 wins and he still deserves his golden HOF spot.
Honestly I didn’t think Peyton would make it in the NFL and he proved me wrong. He won 200 games and a super bowl for every 100 games. I would hate for his career to come to a screeching halt cause of some incident that happened like what in the ’90s? And right after he wins one of the biggest super bowls ever? Cmon! Its not like putting him in jail will make anything better. He’ll die by the time he comes out. Hell if that happens that means he died faster than Archie!
So to end this, Shaun King is a jerk. Don’t put Peyton in jail and don’t hide skeletons in your closet kids.
It’s Naughright, not Naugh*t*right.
There’s a lot about Peyton floating out there that shows he is a scumbag horndog. Just google “Peyton Manning open marriage” or “Peyton Manning Angela Buchman” or “Peyton Manning Falcons cheerleaders”.
As a Broncos fan, I really wish I knew what to say here. Manning was the reason why Denver went from a mediocre team to Super Bowl contenders, and I liked him even before he played for us. I always thought that out of all the athletes, he was one of the good guys. But in my code of ethics, sexual assault is one of the worst things you can do to another human being, and if he’s guilty, I just can’t see how I could bring myself to defend him. I hope he retires so we’re not the center of this controversy anymore, but if he really is guilty, maybe he shouldn’t be allowed into the hall of fame.
Also, I feel like a huge hypocrite, always saying that Tom Brady had a questionable reputation, but even though Tom may have cheated here or there, he’s never had sexual assault allegations come at him.
God, I really don’t know what to believe… This kinda knocks off my high from Super Bowl 50.
I’m all for forgiveness when it comes to 19-year-old kids doing dumb, impulsive things. But the really nasty part of this is the abuse of privilege and the fact that he escaped culpability in no small part by smearing the victim.
Plus there’s the ugly racial component.
Yuck. Just… yuck. I’m a Patriots fan. My hatred of Peyton never extended past the football field. And I always respected him. But that respect has taken a huge hit.
Again: he didn’t escape culpability. He (and the University) were sued, twice. In both cases, they settled out of court for money. In the second case, Peyton was sued for defamation, and settled. While defamation is notoriously difficult to prove, the Judge in this case was saying– and this is pretty extraordinary– in the case to dismiss, that not only *might* there be evidence, and that a jury should decide, but that there *was substantial* evidence. The judge’s reaction to the case to dismiss was that there was more than enough evidence for a conviction. That’s when Manning settled. She knew she was going to win; she said this number is enough. He paid.
And she hasn’t been the one bringing this back up; I will guarantee you that, as someone who has been a victim of pretty horrible things, you don’t want it brought back up. She doesn’t want this in the national attention; she wants to move on with her life. People are absolute jerks, and she is going to face harassment from this from people *WHO HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT*. Because people suck.
Let’s not pretend King is doing this for her sake. He’s doing it for his.
Peyton did an awful thing, and now we all have to deal with that knowledge one way or another. We don’t get to put that genie back in the bottle.
But I am *MORE* pissed at King, because this was a story A) printed in USA freaking Today, one of the more widely circulated papers in the country. It wasn’t buried: It was right there, for EVERYONE to see. B) it was for *HIMSELF* that he published this. Not for Naughright. Not for social justice. It was for his own aggrandizement, and that’s never what journalism should be about. He has a story now, he’s getting followers, and he’s ruining not only Peyton’s reputation (for a few weeks), but he’s going to bring enormous amounts of unwanted attention to Naughright.
Shaun King is a class A douchebag.
Aw man! Eli Manning gets to sleep in a race car bed? I’m totally jealous.
Bahahaha, I can just imagine Eli singing “Can I Borrow a Feeling?”
I just hope people now think of Peyton Manning’s buttocks and rectum in their face when they bite into their Papa John’s pizza.
So they have something more appetizing to think about?
RINGLESS RIVERS!! Go drunk skeleton, you’re home
The tennessee lawsuit is nothing I read into the issue it’s not going anywhere.
If your favorite Lego set ISN’T the awesome Ice Planet set with the clear orange saw blades, then you are probably Shaun King.
aw man im telling you that sometimes the things arent fair and right in this league. one person acts a fool and gets the media all over them and another player does worse and just has nothing but a few articles before talking about stuff like nba trades. shouldnt we treat everyone fair if they do something crazy smh
I see a bunch of “after reading the court documents, Peyton is guilty” comments here, and I think that that’s ridiculous. You’re reading a court document prepared by the lawyers of the complainant. Of course it’s only going to paint the picture of guilt. What most of you *haven’t* read is that Naughwright escalated it from “mooning and something else gross” to “he slathered his nethers all over my face” in between the original 1996 complaint and the 2002-2003 court filing. Her original complaint mentioned nothing about physical touching. The current rumormill I’ve seen is that he farted in her face. Still gross and unacceptable, but it’s a helluva lot better than what the current story portrays. Also note that none of the witnesses written about in the article never support Naughwright’s claim, they just refute Manning’s. It’s important to distinguish the two, because it’s certainly not a black and white case (as much as Shaun King tries to make it that way… see what I did there?)
So no, Peyton is not automatically guilty of slapping a poor woman in the face with his banana and grapes because you saw one court document from the complainant written 6 years after the fact for a second lawsuit. He’s more probable than not guilty of something lewd and gross, but the truth is somewhere in between what you read from the most recent story and what Peyton claims it was.
So he and his father were still trying for years to defame her, then? That’s the worse part.
I always love Dave’s depiction of Eli