Run, Peyton, run.
If any three words were rarely heard during Peyton Manning's long, storied football career, it was those three. Pass, Peyton, pass? Absolutely. Audible, Peyton, audible? Just ask the good folks of Omaha. Hand off, Peyton, hand off? Maybe from a few coaches now and then.
But judging from news outlets as diverse as CNN, ESPN and the Times Free Press, a Sunday sighting of Manning and U.S. Senator (and former Chattanooga mayor) Bob Corker leaving the White House with their golf clubs after presumably playing a round of golf on President Donald Trump's layout in Sterling, Va., was all that was needed to prompt speculation that Manning might make a run at current Tennessee U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander's seat.
Never mind that Alexander hasn't given any indication he's not running for re-election in 2020. Or that Manning has zero political experience. He's Peyton Manning, inarguably the most popular Vol For Life ever. And Alexander is 76 years old, and because of that, perhaps at least a wee bit uncertain of returning to a fourth term in the Senate at the age of 80.
Beyond that, Manning's perceived political party is the Republicans. He supposedly has contributed to Republican campaigns in the past. He spoke to a number of Republican congressmen not long after Trump's inauguration. And let's face it, especially within the Volunteer State, is there a single name this side of Jack Daniel that's more easily recognizable than Peyton Manning?
Heck, forget two words. He is THE most recognizable single word in the state. Peyton. Enough said.
Still, the main reason Manning was likely in the Washington, D.C., area on Sunday was to accept a Lincoln Medal, which is given by the Ford Theater Society to honor individuals whose life accomplishments embody the late president Abraham Lincoln's legacy.
But Manning also is said to be a pretty fair and passionate golfer. He and Corker are close friends - especially since joining together to launch the Chattanooga Heroes Fund following the July 16, 2015, terrorist attack. And really, regardless of your political beliefs, how many folks are going to turn down a chance to play golf with the Prez?
However, this is also, somewhat regrettably, the era of the 24/7 news cycle. Every photograph, tweet or text involving so much as a semi-famous person must be biopsied for 50 shades of truth. Especially on a Sunday, which is a typically slow news day apart from the world of sports. So every angle of Manning and Corker leaving the White House with their golf clubs (by the way, Peyton appeared to be wearing an Honors Course shirt) had to be dissected. Then dissected again.
But could it happen? Could Peyton - once he's hosted ESPN's ESPY awards show next month - zero in on Alexander's Senate seat should the former Tennessee governor and U.S. Education Secretary decline to run again? Moreover, could Manning win? Would he even want to try?
We may already know the answer to Manning's potential political career. It comes from his speaking engagement two years at an annual fundraiser for the Athens (Tenn.) Chamber of Commerce.
Late in that speech he addressed the notion that he might one day become the University of Tennessee football coach.
"I have a lot of friends here (in the state of Tennessee) right now," Manning noted. "If I became the UT coach, you could cut those in half. The first time we lost a game, they'd call the radio shows asking, 'Why'd he call that play on third-and-1?' No, thanks. I'd like to keep all the friends I have in Tennessee."
Coaching the Volunteers isn't exactly like becoming a United States senator. Or running for President. But it may have one very big common denominator: You're never more popular than your first day on the job. Every day after that you've likely upset as many people as you've made happy. Maybe more.
Which brings us to an online poll this paper began running Sunday evening regarding a possible Manning bid for the U.S. Senate, and whether our readers believed he should run.
Among the first 366 to vote, 179 said no (48.9 percent), 187 said yes (51.1 percent).
Let's be clear. The question wasn't, "Will you vote for Manning should he run?" It was simply, "Should he run?"
Again, 48.9 percent said he shouldn't run while 51.1 percent said he should.
That's why Manning has no interest in being the next UT football coach. Or the Volunteer State's next elected official. He wants to keep all his Tennessee friends, rather than split them in half. No wonder he's regarded by many as the smartest quarterback in NFL history.
Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiewdmer@timesfreepress.com.