NEW YORK — Maybe the award should be renamed Most Valuable Peyton.
Peyton Manning became the first player to win The Associated Press NFL MVP honor four times Saturday. The Colts’ sensational quarterback romped to the award in balloting by 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the league.
He received 39 1/2 votes to 7 1/2 for Drew Brees of New Orleans. Only four players — all quarterbacks — earned votes. The other two were Philip Rivers of San Diego (two) and Brett Favre of Minnesota (one).
Manning also won in 2003, 2004 and 2008, breaking a tie with Favre at three MVPs.
“I’m very humbled and grateful to be honored with this award, and I really feel like it is a reflection of our team,” said Manning, who guided the Colts to a 14-0 record before they rested starters in the second half of two games and finished 14-2. “I have to believe that starting 14-0 and having seven comeback wins has a lot to do with this award coming our way, and I’m very grateful to all the players and the coaches who were a big part of it.”
The Colts play in the divisional round next week and have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. The Super Bowl is Feb. 7 in Miami, the same place they won it three years ago.
Manning threw for 4,500 yards and 33 touchdowns this season. Perhaps most impressive, he led the Colts to all those victories. The 33-year-old has started every game in his career, 192 in the regular season and 15 in the playoffs.
Seahawks still courting Carroll
SEATTLE — The Seahawks’ chief executive is headed to California to meet with Pete Carroll, as the team closes in on a deal with the charismatic coach at Southern California.
CEO Tod Leiweke will fly to Los Angeles today to interview Carroll for the coaching position, and the talks could last into Monday morning.
The Seahawks still do not have an agreement despite widespread reports.
Footnotes.
Former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar has filed for bankruptcy and will have his assets sold off.
• Bills running back Marshawn Lynch has been accused of stealing $20 from a police officer’s wife last month at a restaurant in Hamburg, N.Y., The Buffalo News reported.
The Associated Press
