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Although Manning unseated Helton as the Volunteers' QB, they've remained close, attending each other's games when they've had the chance.
Manning was prevented from seeing his team doctors or rehabbing at the Indianapolis Colts' facilities during the lockout that offseason. So, Helton arranged for Manning to use the Rockies' facilities to work out.
The first came when Manning was a homesick freshman at the University of Tennessee in 1994 and Helton, already a star in both football and baseball, took him under his wing and helped him adjust to college life.
"I'm happy for him," Manning said. "I feel like he's at peace with it. I have communicated with him. I hope he enjoys these last games, but there won't be another one like him here, I can promise you that."
"I'll be there next Wednesday to see his last game," Manning said Thursday.
After listing what he admires about Helton as a pro — consistency,Cheap Soccer Jerseys, toughness,China Football Jerseys, dogged determination — Manning spoke about what Helton's friendship has meant to him over the last two decades.
Helton is in the midst of his final homestand and will make his last appearance at Coors Field when the Rockies play the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night,Fjallraven Kanken Saldi.
Notes: CB Champ Bailey practiced Thursday for the first time since injuring his left foot in an exhibition game at Seattle on Aug. 17. "I feel good. I didn't set it back,Nike NFL Jerseys China, let's say that," Bailey said. "I'm on my way." ... With All-Pro LT Ryan Clady on IR, the Broncos needed a new offensive captain and they elected WR Wes Welker,Adidas Stan Smith Shoes Sale, whose last captainship came in 2006 when he was in Miami. ... TE Joel Dreessen returned to practice for the first time since undergoing his second arthroscopic operation on his left knee in June, and OL Chris Kuper, who had offseason ankle surgery, was a full participant in practice for the first time since last season.
The second came when Manning was plotting his comeback from neck problems two years ago that nearly derailed his NFL career.
"A couple of years ago, during that lockout when I was in a strange and new situation, for him to get on that phone and call me and invite me out here to work out with the Rockies in private and use the Rockies' trainers, I'll always be indebted to him," Manning said. "Because I was in kind of a weird place, unknown, I had nobody to turn to medically because of the lockout."
"He was nice to me as an 18-year-old homesick freshman up there in Knoxville," Manning said. "Todd was a big star when I got there already, a Knoxville legend, and so he took time to be nice to me,Allen Robinson Jersey, and I appreciated that."
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning plans to catch Todd Helton's final home game for the Colorado Rockies next week so he can pay homage to his college buddy who gave him two big assists over the years.
Helton announced over the weekend that he's hanging up his cleats at age 40.
After missing that 2011 season, Manning switched teams and rejoined his good friend in Denver, where Helton has played his entire 17-year baseball career. |
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