Here’s our first preview of NBC’s Football Night in America for the 2014 season. It will mark our first appearance of Matt Lauer’s successor Josh Elliott (I kid … maybe not) on the show. He’ll interview Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck. FNIA host Bob Costas sits down with Denver signal caller (does anyone still use “signal caller” anymore? I didn’t think so) Peyton Manning.
Here are partial transcripts of the interviews from the auspices of NBC Sports.
TONIGHT’S SEASON PREMIERE OF FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA FEATURES BOB COSTAS’ INTERVIEW WITH PEYTON MANNING & JOSH ELLIOTT’S INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW LUCK
“I’m not sure what’s worse – losing the Super Bowl or having to talk about it all offseason.” – Peyton Manning
“I’ve got an incredible amount of respect for him…one of the best, if not the best, ever.” – Andrew Luck on Peyton ManningSTAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 7, 2014 – Bob Costas interviewed Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning, and Josh Elliott sat down with Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck for tonight’s Week 1 edition of Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports. In addition to the interviews, tonight’s episode will preview Colts-Broncos and include highlights, analysis and reaction to earlier Week 1 games.
Football Night airs each Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on NBC with Costas hosting the program live from inside the stadium. He will be joined on site by Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth as well as NBC NFL analyst Hines Ward for reaction to the afternoon games and to preview tonight’s match-up.
Dan Patrick co-hosts Football Night from the studio, and is joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy; two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison; Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com and NBCSN,and Peter King of Sports Illustrated. Carolyn Manno will report from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on the 49ers-Cowboys game.
INTERVIEWS: Below are excerpts from Costas’ interview with Manning, and Elliott’s interview with Luck.
PEYTON MANNING WITH BOB COSTAS
On moving beyond Super Bowl XLVIII loss to Seahawks: “I’m glad football is finally here. I’m not sure what’s worse – losing the Super Bowl, or having to talk about it all offseason. Opening night means that we can stop talking about last season, and truly move on to 2014.
On knowing when to retire, regarding Tom Brady’s ‘When I suck, I’ll retire,’ comment: “I guess I’m along the same lines as Tom. I don’t want to be out there playing if I can’t help a team, make the throws that I think a quarterback has to make. At the same time, I’m not sure you have to play until you’re not a great player (anymore). I think you could stop before that point.”
On following up his “Football on Your Phone” performance with older brother Eli, with “Fantasy Football Fantasy” this year: “The director of that commercial actually showed Eli and I a video of Jay-Z and Kanye (West), kind of like showing film – ‘this is what we’re looking for on this particular play.’ I was very uncomfortable…I can’t do what Jay-Z and Kanye are doing…their jobs are safe, let’s put it that way.”
ANDREW LUCK WITH JOSH ELLIOTT
On his long-time relationship with Peyton Manning: “I have an incredible amount of respect for him. Peyton’s obviously one of the best, if not the best, ever. I got to meet him when I was in eighth grade as a camper at the Manning (Passing) Camp…any time the Colts were on TV, my dad would say, ‘I was a rookie when Archie (Manning) was a quarterback for the Oilers,’ and we felt in our family that we had to be Peyton fans and Colts fans because my dad knows them.”
On attending the World Cup this past summer: “I grew up in Europe, so soccer was a big part of my childhood. I’ve always loved soccer…so to get a chance to go to the World Cup and see the U.S. play, I think that’s really neat.”
On travel destinations following Brazil this past summer: “Hopefully Glendale, Ariz., for a Super Bowl.”
Sunday pregame quotage will come up later.
