DeAngeloWilliams (34) of the Pittsburgh Steelers trucks Danny Trevathan (59) of the Denver Broncos during the first half of play at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Denver Broncos on Sunday, December 20, 2015. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
There’s always one Debbie Downer at a good party, so why should Peyton Manning’s retirement celebration be any different? Hours before Manning met with media to discuss his retirement, Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams took some not-so-veiled shots at Manning’s performance from last season on Twitter.
Look Peyton is a hall of fame qb who couldn’t play dead in a western last year but career over all is astonishing but last year was
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB)
Williams isn’t simply throwing shade Manning’s way. The tweet came as part of a longer conversation he was having with Twitter users about Manning. Williams’ initial tweet on Manning questioned a statement by CBS’ Pete Prisco that Manning showed he could still play after Prisco watched the Broncos game against the Green Bay Packers. Manning threw for 340 yards but didn’t throw any touchdowns.
? Why is it that while he’s playing the media says he needs to retire then when he retires ‘he still can play’
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB)
The running back is convinced that Manning, who will be 40 years old this year, can no longer produce at the elite level fans are used to seeing. Williams gave Manning his due for what will probably amount to a hall of fame career but he didn’t mince words about the quarterback’s poor outing in 2015.
Manning’s numbers from don’t paint the best picture. He was second in the league in interceptions with 17 despite missing six games this year. He also had a 67.9 passer rating for the 2015 regular season, a career low.
But Manning has two Super Bowl rings, Williams has none.
