What connection does Peyton Manning's wife Ashley have with the NBA?
They say that behind every successful man is a great woman and Peyton Manning's wife Ashley should certainly get a lot of credit for his achievements. However, in doing so, people forget how successful she is in her own right.
She leads in her own right as a successful businesswoman and owns a real estate development company. She is also the operating owner of the PeyBack Foundation, which helps disadvantaged and at-risk youths. The foundation primarily focuses its operations on Tennessee, Louisiana and Indiana. These are significant locations as they are her home state, Peyton's home state, and his first career state, respectively.
She also maintains an additional connection to her home state through the NBA. Ashley Manning has been a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies since 2012. The Grizzlies are the resident team of Tennessee in the NBA. She was part of the ownership group of Robert J. Pera, who brought the Grizzlies that year. At the time, she said:
“I am very excited to commit to joining the potential new ownership group of the Memphis Grizzlies. As a native of Memphis, it was important to me that the Grizzlies remain in Tennessee and continue to have a positive impact on the community.”
In this endeavor, she was fully backed by Peyton Manning, who had this to say:
“I am proud of Ashley as she pursues this opportunity with the Memphis Grizzlies. While my focus is on playing quarterback for the Denver Broncos, I look forward to watching her become involved with her hometown team.”
Part owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, Ashley Manning, with her husband, Peyton. twitter.com/GrizzliesOnFSS…
But Peyton Manning's support for his wife is not a one-way street. She has had a major influence on his career too.
Ashlet Manning has had a huge impact on Peyton Manning's career
In no uncertain terms, Ashley Manning has had a huge impact on her husband's career. She was there with him right from the beginning of his career, through all the ups and downs.
Perhaps most importantly, after Peyton Manning was released by the Indianapolis Colts, he contemplated retirement. He was returning from neck surgery and the team that had drafted him had released him. Ashley Manning was the only individual who still believed in him at that point.
Without her, it is possible we would never have seen the former quarterback break the touchdown record for a season. He wouldn't have won another NFL MVP or become a Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos in February 2016.
Ashley Manning: Peyton Manning’s Wife Actually Talked Him Out Of Retirement Four Years Ago i.inq.cm/jusrd9h https://t.co/pWmLNOngnL
Considering how astute she has been with her own life, it is no surprise that Ashley Manning was a major force in his career too.