Oh Dear G*d, the world is ending in Indiana right now ...

[Myrina]

.... Peyton Manning has been cut/let go/wtf-ever from the Colts.

Presser on EVERY channel, even CNN, and I'm expecting mass self-immolations on the steps of the football stadium at any moment.

Never mind that a tornado tore up the lower third of this state 5 days ago, leaving 15 people DEAD and obliterating entire towns: PEYTON'S LEAVING!!!!!!!!!

People's priorities are so unbelievably fucked up around here.

Thanks for listening.

/end rant

[HappyMe]

1. It is kind of big news, if you like football.

He had some career ending type injury, so I kind of expected this.

[Myrina]

6. You are right, it IS big sports news ...

... but big enough to basically stop the Earth from turning? I don't think so.

And yeah, a good portion of folks around here knew it was coming, especially because of Irsay's stupid twitter addiction, but now that it's 'real', they're acting like they just found out they've got an aggressive terminal illness.

And how many average Joe's in Indy really actually KNOW Manning as a person to honestly be so devastated?

That's what I don't get.

[nolabear]

2. Well, I know this sounds kinda silly but sports helps in times of tragedy sometimes.

I say this as a total non-sports fan. When people are in extremis they look to what unifies them and gives them a sense of common identity. Lots of the folks whose lives have been shattered have bonded for years around their teams and their sense of wellbeing rises and falls with that of the team. It's easy to criticize if you don't have that investment, but it's as true as national cohesion and pride in one's family.

When the Saints won the SB I saw some breaths let out that hadn't been since the storm. All of a sudden there was strength and pride and a sense that things were working again.

I used to rant too. Now I just grin and remember how upset I get when a band splits up or a favorite author dies.

[HappyMe]

5. I have to say,

I cried like a baby when the Saints won that year. Maybe it brought some hope, where there hadn't been any.

[KamaAina]

8. And who threw the pick that nailed it down for the Saints?

Nobody but Peyton Manning.

At last, his childhood dream of throwing the winning touchdown for the Saints in the Super Bowl had come true.

[gratuitous]

3. Is he totally washed up and overpriced?

Because if he is, there's a place for him in Kansas City. And the Chiefs will pay top dollar for him.

[Myrina]

7. Neck injury (3 surgeries on the down low) and a $23Mil signing bonus

... in addition to a ridiculous salary that put him close to $90Mil for 5 years.

OutFuckingRageous.

[gratuitous]

9. Sounds like Kansas City material to me!

I'll bet the check's in the mail right now.

God, my team sucks.

[Arugula Latte]

4. NO! NO! Dear God NO!

Wait, he's that football guy who does commercials, right?

[Brigid]

10. Um, excuse me, but . . .

Not everybody is a sports-fixated idiot around here. I haven't seen or heard of any suicides.