Archie Manning denies the retirement of his son Peyton Manning

There was a rumor that Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning will retire. This news comes from veteran NFL writer Rob Lowe.

“Hearing my fave, #18 Peyton Manning will not return to #NFL. Wow. #Colts,” Lowe wrote on Twitter. Leave it to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen to ruin the fun and bring sanity back. He talked with Archie Manning, Peyton’s dad.

Wrote Mortensen on Twitter: “Archie Manning laughed when he heard @RobLowe said Peyton will retire, “Noooo…he ain’t retiring. I think he would’ve told me.”

It is worth noting that Lowe has been on the sidelines for Colts games in the past, courtesy of, um, Manning. Also, the first person Colts owner Jim Irsay followed on Twitter? Rob Lowe. Irsay had some fun at Lowe’s expense, writing on Twitter: “My sources tell me Rob will star in an epic remake of “Deep Throat” with aging porn stars and 4 finger circus clowns!”

Lowe later asked NFL Network broadcaster Rich Eisen: “My people are saying Manning will retire today. What do you hear?” Lowe continued on Twitter: #Colts fans, let’s hope my info is wrong. Don’t like being wrong, but this time… I’m hoping.”

Manning missed all of this season with a neck injury, and the Colts promptly took a dive this season. (Well, except for that Thursday win over the Texans).