The Kittle Things – Episode 11

Guest: Peyton Manning
Date: January 6, 2026
Episode Title: Peyton Manning On The Best Manningcast Guests, Setting The Rookie INT Record & Cold Calling Eli Manning

Overview

In this vibrant, laughter-filled episode, George and Claire Kittle host NFL legend Peyton Manning for a wide-ranging chat. The episode explores behind-the-scenes tales from Manning’s career, inside jokes with his brother Eli, favorite moments from the "Manningcast," lessons learned from rookie mistakes, and deep dives into the trio’s mutual love for golf (including a dream golf outing fantasy draft). The tone is casual, playful, and heartfelt, with plenty of quick asides and good-natured ribbing, making this a true delight for football and sports culture fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Banter and Getting to Know Peyton

• Sibling Jokes: Peyton shares how Eli’s go-to jab about his forehead/neck has gotten stale.
  • Quote: “He uses the same joke for five years now. Claire. It gets old. He's got to get some new material.” (00:00)
• First Meetings: George recalls their time filming Peyton’s Places and National Tight End Day, and Peyton relishes keeping in touch with current players.
  • Quote: “For former players to stay connected to the current game...it's a lot of fun.” (05:23)
• On Personalities: George praises Peyton and Eli as “pretty down to earth,” lacking the expected huge egos.

Behind the Scenes: Production & Trust

• Inside Netflix's ‘Receivers’ and ‘Quarterback’ Shows
  Peyton discusses what drew him into sports production, focusing on accuracy, trust, and portraying athletes “the right way” (not as distractions for teams/players).
  • Quote: “I'm a defender of the game...to do [the shows] in a way that’s not a distraction to you and your work and your craft, to your family and your teammates.” (07:45)
  • On Trust: “Would I have done this as a player? Probably no, because I wouldn’t have necessarily trusted who was in charge...” (09:02)
• Claire’s Influence: Claire convinced George to trust Peyton’s process and take part in ‘Receivers’.
  • Quote: “Peyton wouldn’t ask you to do this if it was gonna be not good for you.” (09:49)
• Personal Family Memories: Peyton underscores the value of having life and career moments captured on film for future generations.
  • Quote: “It's a better story when you go, actually, you know, I have the video of it right here.” (11:32)

Manningcast & Football Insights

Best Guests and Memorable Moments

• Unifying Power of Football: Peyton takes pride in the diversity of their guests, from US presidents (Obama, Bush), Condoleezza Rice, to Snoop Dogg and serious fans like Michael Che.
  • Quote: “We could check all those [differences] at the door and just watch a football game together and...agree to watch the game together.” (14:27)
• The Snoop Dogg Effect: On Snoop joining the show: “Is there a little more smoke coming out of Snoop Zoom than Condoleezza? Yes, there is, but we all love football and we all can agree.” (15:13)
• Player Insight Advantage: Peyton discusses how having active players (like Fred Warner) join for live-game reactions adds authenticity and fresh perspectives the Mannings can’t provide.
  • Quote: “Having Fred Warner on was very cool...he’s getting the call, but sometimes he has to call his own defense...just taking the viewer behind the ropes from a defensive perspective.” (13:19)

Football as Family & Sibling Rivalry

• Phone-a-Friend: George surprises Peyton by calling Eli, leading to classic brotherly banter.
  • Peyton: “The forehead jokes are getting old.” (18:40)
  • Peyton, on toddlering stereotypes: “If I pick on him...‘Oh, you’re being mean to your little brother.’ I’m like, he’s 40. He’s 45. He’s not little anymore.” (17:38)

Rookie Mistakes & Learning

• Peyton’s Notorious Rookie Year:
  • Lesson: Over-respecting “the shield” led to poor instincts, 28 interceptions, and a learning curve he believes was essential.
  • Quote: “Am I proud to hold the NFL interception rookie record? No. Would I like to get it broken? Yes...Leave them in there. Let them learn. Okay. So anyway, I'm over it, as you can tell.” (20:18, 23:01)
• Kittle’s Rookie Oops: George’s blocking miscommunication lets Chandler Jones sack Brian Hoyer—lesson learned for life.

The Golf Deep Dive

Golf as Camaraderie

• First Experiences: Peyton explains how NFL off-seasons enabled real golf camaraderie and eventual lifelong enjoyment.
  • Quote: “There was good camaraderie there...good way hopefully to put your phone down and spend four hours...hanging out with some people that you enjoy being around.” (27:42)

Dream Golf Outings (Fantasy Draft, 37:07—41:41)

• Snake Draft Format:
  • Peyton’s Dream Foursome: Himself, George Strait (live serenades on the course), Eric Church, Darius Rucker, with comedian Shane Gillis as caddy (“I need a caddy who’s going to make me laugh, keep me loose, help me play better, make fun of me…” (40:29)). Course: Pebble Beach.
  • George’s Dream Foursome: Young Arnold Palmer (“just an unreal experience”), Filip Forsberg (friend/hockey star), Noah Kahan (“vibes guy”), with Luke Combs as caddy (“singing and handing me Bud Light”). Course: Adare Manor, Ireland.
• Claire’s Verdict: Peyton wins the best group—“Screw the music. Yeah, the music, that was even fair...and some laughs from Shane Gillis. Shane is the ocean. I'm in.” (41:36)

Golf Favorites & Antics

• Course Love: Peyton adores Pebble Beach, Golf Club of Tennessee, the Honors Course in Chattanooga, and family trips to St. Andrews.
• Funniest Golf Anecdotes: Kittle’s tales of golfing shoeless and shirtless in Cabo, and getting schooled by teammates—especially Kyle Juszczyk and McCaffrey’s creative escapes.
  • Kittle on McCaffrey: “He’ll have an errant drive, find his ball between two roots, and just hit it 180, 220 yards and put it on the green...he can recover from anywhere. It’s absolutely hilarious.” (32:03)
• Manning on Dwight Freeney’s Post-NFL Golf: “Dwight didn’t play at all when he was playing with the Colts. He got serious about it in, you know, kind of after football...once you get hooked, it's hard to stop playing.” (30:13)
• Happy Gilmore Club Reveal: Both Peyton and George own novelty Happy Gilmore putters.

Personal & Relationship Moments

Peyton & Ashley's Love Story

• Meeting: At Tennessee (though she went to UVA); first date October 15, 1994—together since.
• Ashley as the Household MVP: “She’s just been a great partner for all these years...she’s been there from the get go and been so supportive.” (25:31)

The Kittles’ Own Relationship

• Claire said "I love you" first, after George's dad spilled the beans to her on the phone.
  • Quote: “You know he loves you, right?” (49:00)

Favorite Off-Field, Off-Season Spots & Stories

• Indianapolis Nostalgia (44:00): St. Elmo Steakhouse, the Slippery Noodle bar, and thoughts on “Hoosier hospitality.”
  • Peyton: “St. Elmo...that's where I used to get my mail, you know, in season...celebrate a win, or drink your sorrows.” (44:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• "He uses the same joke for five years now. Claire. It gets old. He's got to get some new material."
  — Peyton Manning on Eli’s forehead jokes (00:00)
• “Would I have done this as a player? Probably no, because I wouldn’t have necessarily trusted who was in charge...”
  — Peyton Manning on agreeing to film ‘Quarterback’ (09:02)
• "Having Fred Warner on was very cool...just taking the viewer behind the ropes from a defensive perspective."
  — Peyton Manning on best Manningcast guests (13:19)
• "Is there a little more smoke coming out of Snoop Zoom than Condoleezza? Yes, there is, but we all love football."
  — Peyton Manning on Snoop’s Manningcast appearance (15:13)
• "Am I proud to hold the NFL interception rookie record? No. Would I like to get it broken? Yes...leave them in there. Let them learn."
  — Peyton Manning on his infamous rookie INT total (23:01)
• "I feel like our group's gonna get along, you know, I'm gonna have a lot more laughs."
  — Peyton Manning on winning the golf fantasy draft (41:52)

Segment Timestamps

• Sibling Banter & Kittle’s Childhood (~00:00–04:26): Early jokes, “kiddle history” photo, George’s junior high football career
• Peyton’s Production World (~07:45–11:46): Netflix shows, trust issues, player access, George’s hesitancy and Claire’s advice
• Manningcast Highlights & Guest Stories (12:12–17:59): Best guests, what makes great TV, Snoop Dogg, Fred Warner, the living-room brother vibe
• Phone-a-Friend: Eli Joins (18:03–19:57): Sibling humor, voice memos
• Rookie Mistakes & Lessons (20:18–23:25): Peyton’s rookie year woes, George’s embarrassing block, importance of on-field learning
• Golf Deep Dive (26:10–41:41): Masters memories, formative golf stories, fantasy golf draft, course favorites, Happy Gilmore putter
• Relationship Stories & Off-field Life (23:47, 48:32–50:12): Peyton and Ashley’s origin story, Kittles’ dating anecdotes
• Indianapolis Culture & Double Date Scenario (42:18–45:06): Peyton’s favorite places, Hoosier hospitality
• Game Ball Mini-Superlatives (45:26–50:12): Fun rapid-fire couple Q&A - best under pressure, comfort shows, best putter, who gets hangry, etc.

Final Thoughts

The episode is a charming, easy-going mix of personal stories, football talk, inside jokes, and deep love for the “little things”—family, friendships, sports, and memories. Peyton Manning fits seamlessly into the Kittles’ world, keeping the conversation both insightful and fun.

For listeners: Even if you’ve never watched Manningcast or teed up a golf ball, the chemistry and warmth between the hosts and Peyton make this episode shine.