Another event has taken place in the NFL world concerning drama and ESPN. Last time, it was a September print issue regarding “deflategate” and the New England Patriots. This time, Peyton Manning is involved. Call it what you want, but the story is clear, with evidence this time.

While at the University of Tennessee, Peyton Manning sexually assaulted Dr. Jamie Naughright, a trainer at the college during Manning’s college football days. Let that sink in. Peyton Manning, future Hall-of-Fame player for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, a Heisman Trophy winner, and 2-time Super Bowl Champion, sexually assaulted a female.

So end your belief that Peyton Manning is a squeaky-clean golden boy who is anything but a bad human being. Now. It’s about to get ugly.

So now you’re thinking, “Wait. This happened 20 years ago? How now are we just hearing about this when Manning played ultimately his last NFL game?”

For a couple reasons. One, when Naughright reported the incident, Manning denied that what happened ever took place. That’s smart. You’re a starting quarterback in the SEC. You’re gonna win the Heisman trophy, and be taken first overall in the NFL draft that’s around the corner.

But Associate Trainer Mike Rollo and others on the coaching staff blamed fellow athlete Malcolm Saxon, who ended up losing his scholarship over it. All just to protect the golden boy who was the savior of Tennessee Volunteer Football. Saxon begged Manning to come clean, but he never did.

Instead, the University outright asked Naughtright to leave the school. Because god forbid you are offended that someone assaulted you. But that sucks for you right? I guess when it’s Peyton Manning, you just gotta move on.

Before Naughtright left the school, the training staff asked her if she could blame what happened on a black athlete, in order to protect Manning and get it all cleared up. She refused.

She was later hired at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. In 2001, Archie Manning, Peyton’s father, published a book called, “The Mannings” where they bashed Naughtright. They broke the code that they both agreed to, where they wouldn’t publicly talk about it. And Naughtright’s supervisor read it before she did. She was let go from the University.

Again, for doing nothing wrong. Not to mention, in the book, Manning lied about the entire thing, making up stories to help clear his name and ruin Naughtright. And Archie, his father, also insulted Naughtright, making comments about her features and what she looks like. It’s awful.

The image that has been created of Peyton Manning has been made up of nothing but lies. The “model quarterback”, “upstanding citizen”, or the “ideal professional athlete” is nothing but true. Manning has profited from that book, and the career of Jamie Naughright has been ruined. But don’t tell that to Jim Nantz or Phil Simms.

The best part is how it was handled. The story has been swept under the carpet by USA Today. Big shot executives over at ESPN sent a company-wide email putting a “DO NOT REPORT” tab on this horrific sexual assault story.

Because why? He’s Peyton Manning. “The Sheriff”, and who many consider to be the greatest quarterback ever.

But if this happened to Tom Brady? Don’t get me started.