Not everyone has the good fortune of attending the 2024 Paris Olympics in person, which is why you need a good broadcasting crew to help bring the Olympics home to millions watching from far away.
This year’s all-star broadcast team featured a lot of talent, from Snoop Dogg to Peyton Manning to Michael Phelps, Mike Tirico to Kelly Clarkson.
Tirico is NBC’s Sunday Night Football play-by-play announcer, so that was an easy decision to make.
Kelly Clarkson was making her NBC Olympics debut to host Opening Ceremony coverage alongside Tirico and Peyton Manning.
Manning was also making his debut. The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion brought his witty humor to millions around the globe.
Unfortunately and possibly fortunately, many had differing opinions of the all-star cast, and many reactions involved the former quarterback, especially about his wristband that served as a cheat sheet that provided one of the more hilarious moments of the day.
“That’s just Peyton Manning being Peyton Manning.” 😂
The Sheriff came prepared with a playcaller’s wristband at the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony.
📺 Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/eZubPCtRZ9
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 26, 2024
I love Peyton Manning pic.twitter.com/6blPJ8fhZ1
— gmannVOLS (@gmannVOLS) July 26, 2024
The reaction to Peyton Manning’s coverage varied on social media:
Peyton just naturally funny as hell https://t.co/2W0d1FmtaI
— Jason Waterfall (@Flyerr_MalcolmX) July 26, 2024
the Olympics needs a Manningcast https://t.co/Jp7jb4Ht2M
— Nathan Brand (@NathanBrandWA) July 27, 2024
Very on brand. I support this lol https://t.co/mDLLmWC21e
— Reggie Wilson (@ReggieWilsonTV) July 26, 2024
This guy is so good on TV. https://t.co/SJmQ6zDEyl
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) July 26, 2024
While there may be controversy around the Olympics, we will always have Peyton Manning! https://t.co/Xg2dPpFAsB
— Lee Moreland (@lee_moreland) July 27, 2024
This is why I’m so glad to be able to watch CBC as well as NBC. https://t.co/JxM1vNp3DY
— Illinois Golfer (@IllinoisGolfer) July 26, 2024
I liked the desk broadcast trio, too. Mike Tirico, Peyton Manning, and Kelly Clarkson. It’s been a pleasure. Good job, NBC.
— JB (@Minerva2BC@mastodon.world) (@Minerva2BC) July 26, 2024
“That’s just Peyton Manning being Peyton Manning.” 😂
The Sheriff came prepared with a playcaller’s wristband at the #ParisOlympics Opening Ceremony.
📺 Opening Ceremony on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/eZubPCtRZ9
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 26, 2024
Too Much Mannings.
— Louie C (@LWCBoston) July 26, 2024
this broadcast needs more snoop and less peyton https://t.co/oSY4xV5Ua1
— Matty’s Therapy Horse (@Mattys_Horse) July 26, 2024
This is why I’m so glad to be able to watch CBC as well as NBC. https://t.co/JxM1vNp3DY
— Illinois Golfer (@IllinoisGolfer) July 26, 2024
The Hall of Fame quarterback obviously never played in the Olympics, so many found it rather strange to see him on coverage.
NBC’s decision not to hire a panel of former Olympians or traditional broadcasters for the 2024 Paris Games does not seem to have worked out in its favor.
Peyton Manning Trolled Tom Brady and Bill Belichick at the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony
Peyton Manning has been retired from the NFL for over a decade, and the heated rivalries he once had with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have turned into playful jokes now that everybody is out of the league.
On Friday at the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, Manning, while commentating for NBC, couldn’t help but throw a slight jab at Brady and Belichick.
It happened as Tirico was talking about the suspension of the Canadian soccer coach for a drone scandal and filming practices.
That was just an easy layup for Manning as he chimed in, “A little Spygate in soccer here in the Olympics,” Manning joked.
“Spygate” resulted in several fines for the Patriots and the loss of a first-round draft pick in 2008.
