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Peyton Manning: Former Vols QB joining Kobe Bryant for ESPN series

By Caleb Calhoun

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 24: Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos looks on during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 24: Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos looks on during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning will join former NBA star Kobe Bryant’s ESPN+ show “Detail” to provide NFL analysis.

Peyton Manning and Kobe Bryant both played their final game two months apart from each other. Now, the legends of their respective time are coming together to provide NBA and NFL analysis for ESPN, helping to raise the level of ESPN+.

The network reported Wednesday that Manning will join Bryant’s show “Detail,” which is on ESPN+, to provide NFL analysis. Bryant breaks down the NBA for the show and will be back for the 2018-2019 season. The first episode is set to air Thursday, where Manning will break down Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen’s game against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 14.

Not only did Peyton Manning and Kobe Bryant retire at the same time. They arrived on the scene at a similar time as well. Bryant was playing professional ball before Manning because he came straight out of high school to the league. But it was only two years before.

Meanwhile, Manning’s first Pro Bowl came four months before Bryant got his first ring. Their careers are both loaded with accomplishments that many people would kill for. And the crazy part is they are so similar.

For instance, if you combine regular season MVPs, championship rings and championship game MVPs, Manning and Bryant each have a grand total of eight. Bryant has five rings, two NBA Finals MVPs and one NBA regular season MVP, which he got with the LA Lakers in 2008. Manning has five regular season MVPs, two rings and one Super Bowl MVP, which he got with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007.

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They also each had a great final game. Bryant scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz in the Staples Center. Meanwhile, Manning was able to win his second Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos against the Carolina Panthers despite playing mediocre.

One other tie is that both are sons of former players in their profession. Manning is obviously the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, and Bryant is the son of former NBA player Joe Bryant. They both became despised by teams that loved their fathers.

Next. Peyton Manning's top 5 performances with Vols. dark

Bryant’s father played with the Philadelphia 76ers, and he beat the Sixers in the 2001 NBA Finals despite being from there. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning chose to go to Tennessee over Ole Miss, which was his father’s alma mater, making him a pariah in Oxford. This is why these guys are a perfect fit. They have so many connections, and both were very smart players in their respective sports. So it’s a great combination.

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