With a lack of live sport to show, and an increasingly difficult task of filling schedules, ESPN2 will celebrate Peyton Manning’s birthday on Tuesday.
ESPN2 will celebrate Peyton Manning’s birthday with five hours of special primetime programming dedicated to the legendary NFL quarterback on Tuesday, March 24th.
Beginning at 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 will present five volumes of Peyton’s Places compilation episodes, SEC Storied: The Book of Manning documentary and NFL highlights shows that look back at signature performances during Manning’s playing career. The two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time NFL MVP turns 44 years old on Tuesday.
The night of Manning-themed programming begins with Peyton’s Places: Volumes 1-5, 30-minute compilation shows hosted by ESPN Radio and NFL host Trey Wingo. Each volume pulls top moments from the 30-episode Peyton’s Places original series produced by NFL Films and ESPN+ that debuted new weekly episodes from August 2019 thru February 2020, exclusively on ESPN+, as part of the National Football League’s 100th season celebration. The football-themed series revisits seminal moments in NFL history through Manning’s conversations with current and former players, coaches and other key figures about football history and its cultural impact. All 30 original episodes of Peyton’s Places continue to be available exclusively on ESPN+.
At 9:30 p.m., ESPN2 will feature an encore presentation of ESPN Films’ 2013 SEC Storied documentary The Book of Manning. Directed by Rory Karpf and narrated by actor John Goodman, the film explores the personal and professional life of former NFL and Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning and how the sudden loss of his father impacted his life and the way he and his wife, Olivia, raised their three sons, Cooper, Peyton and Eli.
The evening concludes with NFL Films’ Super Bowl Highlights: Super Bowl XLI – Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears (Manning’s first Super Bowl victory) at 11 p.m. followed by NFL’s Greatest Games: 2015 AFC Championship – Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots, highlighting Manning’s two-touchdown performance which propelled Denver to 20-18 win and eventually a Super Bowl 50 title.
In addition to ESPN2’s Peyton Manning marathon, ESPN will air an encore presentation of the five-part 30 for 30 documentary “O.J.: Made in America” Tuesday through Thursday this week as well as other special prime time programming on ESPN2.