When Eli Manning led the NFC to a 64-59 victory over the AFC in the NFL Pro Bowl game, NFL fans worldwide were celebrating.
The nail-biting finale of this Pro Bowl weekend has everyone on their toes, but not everyone was convinced of the authenticity.
An unexpected twist came courtesy of a hot mic comment by Peyton Manning’s son, Marshall, challenging the game’s legitimacy.
Hot mic catches Peyton Manning’s son accusing NFL of scripting Pro Bowl: ‘The refs won the game.’ https://t.co/gmIOuYMxUY pic.twitter.com/FNCiESVySQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 5, 2024
ESPN cameras spotlighted Eli Manning’s post-game celebration and his sprint across the field to greet Peyton.
However, an unexpected comment from 12-year-old Marshall stole the show. As the mic caught him, he pointedly told Eli, “You know the refs won the game. It’s scripted. It’s scripted.”
”You know the refs won the game… it’s scripted!” – Marshall Manning made sure Uncle @EliManning knew 🤣
The NFC takes their second-straight #ProBowlGames dub. pic.twitter.com/lxOk8QaUIF
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) February 4, 2024
The ESPN broadcast quickly cut away from the Mannings, fanning the flames of controversy. However, Omaha Production intervened on the matter and countered the conspiracy theories.
The company tweeted the controversial video of Marshall, adding a laughing emoji, seemingly downplaying the seriousness of the situation.
This incident revives the long-standing debate over the alleged scripting of the NFL’s product. The league has had its fair share of rigging accusations over the years.
Last summer, they even released a playful “table read” hype video, insinuating that teams received a script before the season starts – a clear attempt to mock the rigging allegations.
Even so, rumors about the NFL’s legitimacy have gained traction in recent years, particularly with legalized gambling’s rise.
The impact of these speculations may intensify as the NFL gears up to host its first Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
