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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

Peyton Manning once benched a WR for attempting a 1-handed catch

Former Colts punter Pat McAfee, who played with quarterback Peyton Manning from 2009-2011, now has his own show and some of his best episodes feature hilarious stories about Manning.

During one of his shows last fall, McAfee told a story about when Manning got upset with former Indianapolis wide receiver Austin Collie, who failed to catch a pass after running an out route.

“It was a little bit out of his each but Austin reached with one hand to catch it and it hit off his hand and it just dropped [to the ground],” McAfee said. “Austin had been having an incredible season thus far and he put his head down and — it was probably first or second down — he jogged back to the huddle and before he got like probably five feet away from the huddle, Peyton Manning just pointed at the sideline and he said, ‘Get out.'”

Jim Caldwell, who was the Colts’ offensive coordinator at the time, tried to send Collie back into the game but Manning wouldn’t let the wide receiver back on the field. Indianapolis went on to score a touchdown on that drive and Manning then spoke with Collie on the sideline.

“I was told that if I ever try to catch a ball with one hand again, I will never be on a football field again when Peyton Manning’s the quarterback,” Collie told McAfee after speaking with the QB.

During his three seasons with Manning, Collie caught 172 passes for 1,839 yards and 16 touchdowns. He retired from football in 2016.

[Hat tip to u/PhoenixBornRaised for sharing the above video on Reddit.]

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