Web posted January 1, 1998

Associated Press

MIAMI -- Let's eliminate any lingering speculation: Peyton Manning has decided to turn pro after this season.

Sorry, Tennessee fans, but your quarterback's eligibility expires Friday when the third-ranked Volunteers play No. 2 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl (8 p.m., Channel 12). There will be no repeat of the miracle in March -- Manning's announcement that he would return to Tennessee for another year.

``That was like a gift from heaven,'' said Haywood Harris, the Vols' associate athletic director. ``Our fans are so rabid, and they couldn't believe he made that decision.''

At first glance, the decision now looks dubious. Manning passed up a chance to help Bill Parcells revive the New York Jets as the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. He lost to Florida -- again -- and failed to win the Heisman Trophy.

But Manning claims no regrets.

``My No. 1 resolution was to have fun this year, and I've had a ball,'' he said. ``I came back to create more memories and to try to win some championships. I've had a lot of fun and we won the SEC championship. I wouldn't change one thing about this year.''

The accomplishment that Manning desires most remains within reach. If eighth-ranked Washington State beats No. 1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Thursday, the Volunteers (11-1) could claim their first national championship since 1951 by beating Nebraska (12-0) in the Orange Bowl, sponsored by FedEx.

The Cornhuskers, however, are favored by 14 points to win coach Tom Osborne's final game.

Should the Vols fall short of No. 1, Manning will be remembered by Tennesseans as a champion denied the rewards he deserved for returning to play his senior season. He began the year as a heavy favorite to win the Heisman, passed for 3,819 yards and 36 touchdowns and yet finished second to Michigan's Charles Woodson.

An upset? Volunteers fans, who still complain about Johnny Majors losing the 1956 Heisman to Paul Hornung, were outraged.

``Keep Your Stupid Trophy!'' read T-shirts in Knoxville.

``It stinks,'' said Gov. Don Sundquist, eyeing re-election.

Equally galling was the 33-20 loss to Florida, Tennessee's fifth in a row against the Gators. Manning threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns, but he also had an interception returned 89 yards for a score.

Despite the setbacks, Manning has conducted himself with such grace, poise and patience that even jaded sports writers admire him. And in Tennessee, his popularity rivals Elvis.

``That would be a pretty good contest between those two,'' said Harris, who has watched Manning accommodate nearly every interview and autograph request for four years.

The son of former NFL star Archie Manning grew up accustomed to the spotlight and believes responsibility accompanies celebrity.

``I disagree with people who say you aren't a role model,'' Manning said. ``I think you are. Kids look up to you. You try to use it to do the right things on and off the field. I enjoy doing it and plan to do it as long as I can.''

With a grin he added, ``I still have fun, though.''

Manning, 21, has been caught acting like a dumb college kid only once. In February 1996 he exposed his backside as a female trainer bent over to examine his foot. An embarrassed Manning apologized, saying he intended to play a prank on another athlete, and the mooning incident did little to harm his reputation.

In Knoxville, a giraffe at the zoo and a campus street have been named after him, and Peyton is a popular choice for newborns. Teammates and coaches say his All-American image is deserved.

``He's a person who when he walks in the room, the energy increases,'' assistant head coach David Cutcliffe said.

``You just thank God you have a guy like that on your side,'' receiver Peerless Price said.

In Tennessee, Manning's recent knee injury has been a source of grave concern and wild speculation. One fan phoned a radio talk show to suggest the injury was invented so that Manning could enter the Orange Bowl game at halftime.

In truth, he ruptured a bursa sac in the SEC championship game against Auburn on Dec. 6, and an infection put him in the hospital for five days -- which wasn't all bad.

``I feel like I caught up with about four years worth of sleep during that week,'' he said. ``And I did watch `The Young and the Restless' every day.''

His recovery was interrupted briefly at 1:30 one morning by an autograph seeker.

``I was half asleep,'' said Manning, who doesn't know whether the visitor worked at the hospital and can't remember whether he signed his name.

``If I did, it wasn't a good signature,'' he said.

Manning arrived in Miami limping but rejoined practice Saturday and expects to start against Nebraska. He doesn't want to miss the chance to make more memories.