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Archie Manning staying out of Irsay/Fox squabble

Archie Manning has spoken with Peyton about his return to Indianapolis this weekend. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

(Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

Just as his son did a couple days before, Archie Manning declined to respond to Colts owner Jim Irsay's comments — and Broncos head coach John Fox's retort calling the comments inappropriate — in which Irsay expressed regret that his team didn't win more than one Super Bowl with Peyton at the helm.

"Oh, I don't know," Archie Manning told USA TODAY about why Irsay said what he did. "I'm just trying to stay out of this mess."

However, the father and son have spoken about the game, Peyton's first in Indianapolis as an opposing player, according to Archie.

"He called early this morning and sounded real good. Peyton will handle himself," Archie said on Friday. "It will be a real hard game for him. But he'll handle it."

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Archie added that Peyton's legacy in Indianapolis could be seen in Lucas Oil Stadium, which opened in 2008, and the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, for which the quarterback has raised more than $7 million.

"That will always keep him going back to Indianapolis and seeing friends," Archie said. "It's a good thing."

399 touchdown passes