Peyton Manning and his “idiot kicker” had a brief beef, but the football world never let it die

Throughout his long and accomplished career, Peyton Manning was smart enough to avoid saying things to the media that would rile up his opponents or come back to bite him. Except the one time, in the middle of the 2003 Pro Bowl, he trashed his "idiot kicker" Mike Vanderjagt, because Mike had trashed him and Tony Dungy a few days earlier. Everyone said they were sorry, but that brief feud created a narrative that never really went away, even after Vanderjagt left Indianapolis.

Written and produced by Ryan Nanni
Shot by Joe Ali
Edited by Alex Hawley

[kylekelly]

Narrator sounds like a well-educated Steve-O

[jondaboss]

“He’s a good kicker but he’s an idiot” 😭😭😭

[Hosstache]

“Our idiot kicker” is my favorite Peyton Manning quote all time.

[Deadgo-yfzg]

3:57
Mike Vanderjagt: "He doesn't get too excited and doesn't get too down and I don't think that works either..."
Bill Belichick: "Hold my beer."

[ToxiCisty]

Crazy that Peyton had such a rough start to his career. Goes to show you failing is part of learning and ultimately a requirement in pursuit of greatness.

[bigcamdizzle]

If only they'd just drafted Ryan Leaf, none of this would've ever happened.

[arsonhakobyan]

I admire Vanderjagt's perfection, but he made his own bed. This is a lesson to all the kids out there that love to hear themselves talk: "It comes w/ consequences."

[vincentshipe]

OH MY GOD!! ITS JON BOIS!!! He may only be at 1% power but there is the legend

[TheDude]

I have to disagree with the final thought here. I think the hatred for him doesn't come from him challenging the hierarchy of the NFL, but rather throwing his teammates under the bus in the media in an extremely disrespectful and unsportsmanlike fashion, and then giving another interview where he claimed his out of line comments were the catalyst to the team's success. Honestly, If I were Peyton or an Indy fan I'd be pretty harsh on someone who blatantly disrespected his teammates and then literally bragged about that disrespect too!

[Klays]

Mike Vanderjagt was my middle school coach. People would always yell wide right to him lol

[clevelandcbi]

FUN FACT: My son plays special teams and cornerback for his high school freshman team. After losing a close game to Carmel, one of the best Indiana football teams, I asked him who the hell was Carmel's kicker (extra points were landing in the parking lot). Turns out it was Adam Vinatieri's son. Trust me, he's already got plenty of scholarship offers.

[ChillPill]

Even to this day the Jim Mora rant still makes me laugh every time I hear it. His tone of voice, the inflections. Absolutely fantastic.

Playoffs? P.... PLAYOFFS?! I just hope we can win a game!!!

[realGTFOH]

Jon!! Give us Chart Party!! America needs you!!

[palaceofwisdom]

As a Steelers fan, I love Mike Vanderjagt.

[kingjayded]

The appearance of the BOIS was very much appreciated

[chefleosanchez]

The narration was incredible. The pace, the tone. Great

[mrsmith]

Just imagine this Adam vinatieri is still in the league over 13 years later and four super bowls later crazy he's still with the colts he's only been with two teams ever the Patriots and the colts

[staticmetalxbl]

Vanderjagt was a monster in his day. Every player gets old. He just got old in the wrong moments. Still thank Vanderjagt to this day as a Steelers fan. And Ben's shoe string tackle.

[tuckpoint]

Beef History:

SB Nation and Pretty Good

[twokingz]

Man when Manning went ham on Vanderjagt is when I became more of a fan of his. Me and my dad died laughing when we heard Manning's clap back. 😂😂😂😂😂