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Former Tennessee Vol Peyton Manning recently visited Tuscaloosa to talk football with Nick Saban, Bronco offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
(Associated Press file)
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — It seemed innocent enough, but apparently Peyton Manning and his offensive coordinator's visit to Tuscaloosa might have violated league rules.
The league is looking into the possibility Manning's meeting with Alabama coach Nick Saban violated the collective bargaining agreement, the Denver Post reported Friday. Saban's involvement wasn't the issue, but the inclusion of Bronco's offensive coordinator Adam Gase creates an issue.
The NFL's collective bargaining agreement does not allow players to meet with coaches before teams began offseason workout programs. Those practices begin Monday, a few weeks after the pair visited Tuscaloosa.
Saban described get together as "mutually beneficial" as he traded ideas with Manning and Gase.
Gase worked under Saban with Michigan State and LSU and spoke at Alabama's coaching clinic last weekend.
The meeting would not impact Alabama in any way since it didn't violate any NCAA regulations.
"To be honest with you, he was just trying to learn so he could be a better player," Saban said Thursday. "I think a lot of people would say, 'Wow, the guy is one of the best, if not the best, and certainly from a career standpoint probably about as good as anybody's been in the history of the league. After all the experience and knowledge that he has, he's going out and trying to seek more knowledge and understanding of the game of football so he can play better.'"
The Denver Post has more details into the situation and previous relationships.