saint5221

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1655228

I had not heard about this.


Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Archie: Defamation lawsuit should be dismissed

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Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former NFL quarterback Archie Manning believes son Peyton has been punished enough for a mistake he made seven years ago and that a defamation lawsuit should have been dismissed.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the elder Manning said his son regrets dropping his pants in front of a University of Tennessee trainer and tried to apologize to her.

"He felt it was his mistake, he tried to apologize and he was remorseful," Archie Manning said Tuesday night. "He got punished and he took his punishment."

The 1996 encounter between the trainer and the Indianapolis Colts quarterback is mentioned in a book the Mannings wrote, "Manning: A Father, His Sons and a Football Legacy."

In the book, Peyton Manning says he pulled down his pants and conceded that his behavior was "inappropriate."

"Crude, maybe, but harmless," he wrote.

He also wrote that the trainer had a "vulgar mouth," which she claimed defamed her and cost her a subsequent job.

Earlier this week, a judge ruled there was enough evidence for the trainer's lawsuit against the Mannings to proceed, and a trial was set for March. Though she's not named in the book, Jamie Ann Naughright says the passages disparaged her.

Archie Manning said he was dismayed that the "feel-good" book is now the subject of legal action.

"Obviously, my wife and I and our family hurt for Peyton at a time like this," he said. "We're sad for him, especially since an incident from seven years ago seems to have gotten so twisted."

Naughright filed the lawsuit in Polk County, Fla., in 2002, two years after the book was published. In the lawsuit, she accuses Manning of placing his "naked butt" on her face while in the Volunteers' locker room. She is seeking damages of at least $15,000.

In 1997, she agreed to a $300,000 settlement with the university over 33 alleged instances of sexual harassment surrounding her job in the athletic department, and her complaint included the encounter with Manning. Manning was not personally accused of sexual harassment, and a university investigation characterized it as "horseplay."

Manning's attorney, Slade Metcalf, argued in court papers that the lawsuit should be thrown out because the passages in the book are "substantially" true. He also contends the settlement released the university, its employees and students, including Manning, from additional damages.

"That's what we feel, that's what I feel, that's the way Peyton feels," Archie Manning told the AP.

Peyton Manning declined to comment.

Naughright's attorney, Robert Puterbaugh, also wouldn't comment.

Judge Harvey Kornstein ruled Monday that there was enough evidence to suggest the Mannings, the writer and the publisher knew the passages were false and acted in reckless disregard for the truth.

The lawsuit also names writer John Underwood and publisher HarperCollins Inc.

"Peyton knows people have a right to say what they want about him," Archie Manning said. "He said what happened seven years ago and it's still true."

deadflatbird

Yes this was sort of big but yet funny news when it happened. She is just trying to cash in on an incedent. This suit she may only get 6, 000 after lawer fees. A drop in the bucket for Manning but a jury will have to decide... I think the jury if they have any sense will give her a one dollar and laugh at her. Come on it happened in a locker room and have a sense of humor already.

saintfan

And the question remains...should women be allowed in an \"all male\" locker room? I just can\'t see anything positive out of her being there in the first place. I\'d say I doubt there are male trainers in \"all female\" locker rooms, and for good reason. Some things just make sense, and some things just don\'t. Furthermore, I\'d say 300 thousand is more than enough (and likely way too much) and this heffer should close her trap and go spend her money somewhere....but then I could be wrong.

canucksaint

Don’t know why I’m responding to this, I guess I’m just feeling like a Devil’s Advocate today. Should women be allowed in an all male locker room? Well it depends on who the woman is, and what is their purpose. If they are a reporter or non-team member, NO! Stay the hell out. But I also feel that way about males entering the locker room. The locker room is sacred ground for the team. There should be no one else in there. But in this case it was a female that was part of the team. Should she be allowed in? That’s where it gets tricky. I wouldn’t want her in there (unless she looked like Elle McPherson), but I also don’t agree with giving sexual preference in hiring. Is she able to make the same amount of money being the trainer for the female soccer team (or whatever the biggest female sport is)? I doubt that she would be able to. So in that case, she should have equal rights as anyone else that would take that job regardless of sex. Until we get over the inequalities in hiring, we will always have this problem.

saint5221

$300,000 for a moon shot from Manning and a few of the boys that\'s absurd I\'m with Saintfan on this one.

canucksaint

Don\'t get me wrong. I think it is aburd as well. However I was responding to the question of whether women should be allowed in the locker room. Maybe if women are allowed in an all male locker room they should be given danger pay. That would put a stop to all future lawsuits.

pakowitz

i dont agree with allowing women into an all male locker room... not being sexist or anything but allowing that to happen... they are going to see things that they dont really want to see... and since they do allow it... then their should be some kind of protection clause for the players and the college and/or professional team... that would cut down on these lawsuits..., seriously... do u think that if a male was allowed into an all female locker room... would he sue b/c he was mooned by one of the players, hell no... he would prolly enjoy it and ask for a date or something...LOL

I Live In Beastmode!

JOESAM2002

How old is this woman? She\'s been around a locker room before, she must have, I really don\'t think you go straight from school to a Pro locker room. This woman KNEW she was going to see men\'s butts before this happened. Hell, it\'s a locker room for Christ\'s sake. Isn\'t a locker room by definition, a place where people go to change cloths?So if people are changing colths, isn\'t there a better than average chance you\'re going to see somebody\'s butt? This is crazy. I have nothing against women in a men\'s locker room, but they know what can happen.

Sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut and be thought an idiot, than to open it and remove all doubt!!!!!

"Every time you think, you weaken the nation!" Moe Howard...The Three Stooges.

canucksaint

I like the protection clause. That\'s why I suggested Danger Pay. However if a women isn\'t allowed into the locker room, then that puts a cap on what they can earn compaired to a male counterpart. Since generally male dominated sports pay their staff better than the staff at female dominated sports. As for the protection clause, equally you have to think of the females point of view. She is working with profesionals, who should act in a proper way. She should not have to be subject to these shananagans. How was Peyton diciplined for this act when he did it?

ThePosterFormerlyKnownAs-

In this particular case she was not in the locker room with professional players. She was in the locker room with a bunch of college kids that play football. She had a prank played on her. Big deal. I think she will live.

As far as women being allowed in the locker room -- I see no reason why women should be allowed in there. It\'s a MALE locker room, where MALES get undressed. Women have the right to earn a living the same as men, but certain things have to be off limits to men and women.