Peyton Manning and Tom Brady were fierce rivals on the field, make no mistake about it. That being said, they have nothing but respect for each other off it. On Wednesday, the NFL community learned that Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay passed away at the age of 65.

Jim Irsay quietly flew 20 veteran players from the Colts’ 2006 Super Bowl team into Indianapolis—not for a reunion, not for fanfare, but to privately handwrite thank-you letters and deliver custom championship rings to former staffers who never received theirs.

Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski loved their quarterback, but now that they're retired, they're seeing what other QB fish are in the sea.

After Peyton Manning honored the late Colts owner Jim Irsay, Tom Brady left a brief but heartfelt comment that captured the emotion of the moment.

Peyton Manning was the enemy behind enemy lines—wearing orange and dealing heartbreak to Patriots Nation. The post Rob Gronkowski Teases Big Project With Rival After Turning His Back on Tom Brady appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Edelman's teasing aside, Manning and Brady were (and remain) good friends despite their on-field rivalry. Last summer, Manning surprised Brady at the QB's Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony. No worries, Edelman.