INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning still holds Indianapolis in a special place.
Wholesale Jerseys USA . Even if Denver is opening the season against his former team. Two days after Manning found out his rematch with the Colts would be the first Sunday night game of the NFLs season, the reigning MVP returned to town for a very different reason -- to help host an annual fundraiser for the Peyton Manning Childrens Hospital at St. Vincent. Its the first time Manning has been back since his emotional October homecoming ended with Denvers first loss of the season. "I had a pretty good feeling that game (Colts-Broncos) would be on TV," Manning said as reporters laughed. "Its a tough schedule with three playoff teams (Indy, Kansas City and Seattle) right off the bat and we play the Colts right at the start. Theyre a good team, they were right there at the end and we know theyll be an excellent opponent." Manning expects the Colts to be so good, in fact, that after taking a quick peek at the schedule Thursday, the record-breaking quarterback changed his plans and immediately returned to the weight room. His teammates soon followed. What else are players to do when they see the only five-time MVP in league history going in for another overtime session? For Manning, theres plenty at stake this season. Hes coming off a year in which he proved he was back to his old ways by breaking NFL records for yards passing and TD passes and then won a third AFC title before a devastating blowout loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl. He wasnt even sure hed be back this year until doctors examined his surgically-repaired neck. Now, the 38-year-old Manning says, he intends to keep playing as long as his body allows it and as long as the Broncos want to keep him. But this weekend is one of those rare times Manning pushes football to the back burner. Following Thursdays workouts in Denver, Manning flew to Indianapolis and spent Friday with patients and their families at the hospital that bears his name. On Saturday night, he planned to add to the $7 million-plus total he helped raise over the last six years at the Celebration of Caring Gala. This is the third straight year hes come from Denver to attend the event. "Its one of the best teams that Ive ever been part of," Manning said, referring to the people hes met at the hospital. "Im not sure who are the bigger heroes -- the patients or the staff. Its truly inspiring." Reporters were not allowed inside the FedEx Aircraft Hangar where the event was held because of security reasons, but Manning has traditionally raised money by auctioning off a vast array of autographed items from some of the biggest names in sports and beyond. Two years ago, the prizes included an autographed item from Mother Theresa and a clipping from a contract signed by Marilyn Monroe. Manning became such an ingrained part of the Indianapolis community that its still hard for some Colts fans to accept he plays for Denver. Its not any easier for Manning. Before his first career game against the Colts, Manning interrupted his pregame warm-ups to mouth the words "thank you" after a two-minute video tribute played on the stadiums large video boards. Denver wound up losing 39-33. A couple of weeks ago, Manning and some of his ex-Colts teammates got together for a golf trip and they started texting some of their former teammates who werent there. And when team owner Jim Irsay was arrested last month on suspicion of intoxicated driving and other charges, Manning said he contacted Irsay though he wouldnt elaborate on what the message was. "Thats a private topic," Manning said. "Its very private and very personal." So it wouldnt be surprising if Mannings emotions come rushing back again when he faces Andrew Lucks Colts again on Sept. 7, this time in Denver. And to the surprise of nobody, hes already working on a solution. "Its nice that the schedule comes out during our off-season workouts," he said, "because its a reminder of how hard you have to work to get where you want to go."
Jerseys NFL Wholesale . And as he walked into Progressive Field, a ballpark known as The Jake when he played in Cleveland the first time, Thome was flooded with memories of former teammates, games and Octobers past.
NFL Wholesale Jerseys . LOUIS -- Russell Martin wanted a better fate for his starting pitcher and helped deliver a happier ending.WIMBLEDON -- Canadas Aleksandra Wozniak has qualified for the main draw at Wimbledon with a 6-4, 6-3 win over American Melanie Oudin. Wozniak, from Blainville, Que., jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Thursday only to see Oudin draw level. The Canadian later broke Oudins serve to take the first set. The world No. 118 carried the momentum into the second set to qualify for her second consecutive Grand Slam main draw. "This match was important for me psychologically," Wozniak said. "I played well and I did what I had to do to qualify for Wimbledon. It feels good to play a lot of matches, it helps to polish my game." Wozniak joins No. 13 seed Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., and unseeded Sharon Fichman of Toronto in the womens draw. Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., (No. 8) and Vancouvers Vasek Pospisil (No. 31) are in the mens singles draw. The 26-year-old Wozniak also advanced to the main draw of the French Open, where she lost to Romanias Sorana Cirstea in the first round. Wozniak had lost her two previous meetings against Oudin. They were scheduuled to play at the Bell Challenge in 2012, but Wozniak was unable to start the match because of a shoulder injury.
Wholesale China Jerseys. . She will now get at least three days off before her first-round match. The draw for the singles matches will be made Friday and first-round play is scheduled to begin Monday. Pospisil was originally unseeded but moved into the No. 31 spot when Nicolas Almagro of Spain withdrew because of a left foot injury. Almagro was given the No. 25 seed when the list of 32 seeded players was released earlier this week. Players below him all moved up one position except for Russias Dmitry Tursunov, who remained at No. 32. Tournament organizers consider player rankings and previous grass-court results over the last two years when determining the seeding, which is why Pospisil was given a higher seed than Tursunov. Torontos Daniel Nestor and Serbian partner Nenad Zimonjic are seeded third in the mens doubles draw. Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., did not qualify after dropping a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 decision to Taiwans Jimmy Wang.
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