Peyton Manning Adds To His Comedy Resume with Modern Family Appearance

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He’s already hosted Saturday Night Live. America seems to love his funny commercials. He was a big hit at the Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe. And now, Peyton Manning is guest-starring on one of the country’s most popular sitcoms, Modern Family.

In his retirement, NFL quarterback Peyton Manning seems to be heading even more into the comedy world. At the very least, he wants to go further into comedy than just doing funny Papa John’s Pizza ads. By the way, those commercials are even funnier by the 400th time the networks air them during an NFL game, (insert sarcasm). What’s interesting about Peyton Manning appearing on Modern Family is that he’ll be playing a character instead of appearing as himself. Manning is bucking the proud tradition of the athlete-as-himself comedy cameos in sitcoms like Joe Namath on “The Brady Bunch”, Kevin McHale on “Cheers”, Keith Hernandez on “Seinfeld”, Shaq getting tripped by Larry David on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and the literal tons of athletes showing up on “Entourage”. Even on Modern Family, when the show hosted NBA All-Star and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, it was as Kobe Bryant. His scene was even at a Lakers game.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Peyton Manning will be playing the part of Coach Gary on Modern Family who is “baby Joe’s sports tutor, whom Gloria (Sofia Vergara) brings in to help teach Joe how to throw and catch. When Coach Gary also starts doing things around the house, Jay (Ed O’Neill) is left feeling a bit emasculated.” It seems like this could easily turn into a reoccurring role. Sofia Vergara posted photos of Peyton Manning on the set of Modern Family on Instagram on Wednesday.

NFL fans wondered if Peyton Manning would transition from the field to the broadcast booth or to the sideline to coach after he quit football. It’s beginning to look more and more like he wants to move from the gridiron to comedy. He already took a spot roasting Rob Lowe that could have gone to a 100 worthy comedians. Did Peyton only get the gig because Lowe tweeted about his NFL retirement 4 years too early? This Modern Family appearance looks like it’s another step towards competent comedic performers losing out on roles to a guy who’s not a comedian, but has two Super Bowl rings as his credentials. Although, Seattle Seahawks fans probably thought Peyton Manning’s performance in Super Bowl 48 was pretty funny.

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