Jeff Saturday line up for the wrong team at the Pro Bowl, but instead of a mistake it was a way for the retiring center to get one last snap with his longtime quarterback.
Once a mainstay of the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday moved to Green Bay and said he will retire after this season. Though he was not the same dominant player this year, he still earned a spot in the Pro Bowl (though many believe largely on reputation), giving him the chance to record one last play with Peyton Manning.
The only problem was they were on different teams. Manning, now with the Broncos, was in the AFC white jerseys while Jeff Saturday wore the NFC’s blues.
That still didn’t stop Saturday from getting one last chance to snap the ball to Peyton Manning. Early in the game he lined up at center for the AFC, snapping to Peyton and running one play before taking the ball from Manning and heading to the sidelines.
Jeff Saturday said the snap with Peyton Manning was a fitting way to end his career, NFL.com noted.
“After doing it that long with him, we figured it was our last run together, might as well get one more,” Saturday said during a sideline interview. “That was something special I’ll always remember.”
Peyton Manning and Jeff Saturday played together in Indianapolis for 13 seasons and won a Super Bowl together in 2007.
“This is what it’s all about,” Jeff Saturday said of chance to play with Peyton Manning one last time. “I’ll remember this one.”
