Peyton Manning was inked to a five-year $90 million deal by the Indianapolis Colts. That’s a cool average of $18 million per season, $1.125 per game, $281,250 per quarter, about a roofer’s annual salary per snap. And that’s not including the endorsement deals or hilarious SNL appearances like the one shown in this video:

In a 2010 article titled “Staggering Stats of Top 50 Paid Athletes”, writer Cade Caldwell explained, “Of the nearly $31 million earned by Peyton Manning [last season] the split between salary and winnings along with endorsements was almost even.”

That said, Peyton, a four-time MVP, has become the poster child for advertisers and is certain to make up for any concessions he may have agreed to take in the form of salary.

Colts owner Jim Irsay wrote on Twitter that the Manning deal will reduce his salary cap number this season to $16 million meaning the deal frees up money to sign other players. He went on to further credit his zillionaire QB on Twitter writing:

“It’s a credit 2 Peyton;he put Coltfans,teammates, Ind. n winning ahead of all else”

Manning is said to have asked the team to pay him less to allow players like RB Joe Addai and offensive lineman Charlie Johnson to re-sign with the team.

Smart move taking a cut in pay to get your blind side tackle that’s responsible for keeping you off your back on Sunday afternoons signed and to camp.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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