Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have a lot in common. Both are living legends, future Hall of Famers, Super Bowl champions, and each other’s greatest rival. Now, Manning is about to add one more similarity to that list – a suspected cheat.

Manning, who was linked to human growth hormone by Al-Jazeera in December, has been contacted by the NFL for an interview regarding the allegations. Manning will be the second straight Hall of Fame-bound quarterback to be caught in a cheating controversy ahead of the Super Bowl.

Of course, Brady was famously under fire before the Patriots faced the Seahawks last year for allegedly having the Pats’ game balls deflated in the AFC Championship vs. the Colts. That controversy began ahead of Super Bowl 49, and lasted throughout the winter, and all through training camp, culminating in late summer when Brady’s four-game suspension was lifted.

Manning’s been contacted for an interview, but it won’t happen until the postseason has concluded, per Fox Sports. The interview may never happen, and Manning isn’t the only player the NFL is seeking to talk to (Packers Julius Peppers and Mike Neal are also named), but this inquiry may be the push Manning needs to call it a career.

How Winning The Super Bowl Would Affect Manning's Retirement Odds

Manning could follow in the footsteps of Broncos executive John Elway, and retire after his second Super Bowl win should Denver come out on top. He told Bill Belichick following the AFC Championship game that “this might be my last rodeo,” so retirement is on the table. Manning is more likely to come back if the Broncos fall short, but he shouldn’t.

Manning is beloved by fans and media, and he’ll only face intensified scrutiny if he keeps playing. He has nothing to prove, holds numerous records, and already has a Super Bowl title on his resume. He has also never denied his wife received shipments of HGH; that means nothing as far as proof goes, but if she did indeed receive HGH there will be lingering questions that may never be answered. Retiring, and removing himself from the spotlight, would do wonders toward quelling the controversy.

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