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via Imago

via Imago

With the Paris Olympics in full swing, we, the fans, are constantly being treated with unexpected and unbelievable linkups between the top athletes from different sports. First, it was LeBron James and Coco Gauff’s TikTok collaboration during the opening ceremony. And now, NFL legend Peyton Manning gave Team USA a pleasant surprise by showing up to their practice on Saturday along with his two kids, Marshall and Mosley. Sure enough, Anthony Edwards utilized this moment to his advantage and struck a ‘football WR-related agreement’ with the Hall of Famer while also making sure that the Mannings didn’t leave empty-handed.

Seeing the NFL legend standing on the sidelines during practice, Ant-Man went to greet Peyton Manning and his kids, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with each of them. During the interaction, he acknowledged Anthony’s multi-sport background, “Football player back in the day.” A hyped Ant-Man quickly responded, “You already knew it. Wide receiver. If you ever need me, call me.” Even his Team USA teammate Tyrese Haliburton couldn’t help but chuckle at Edwards’ pitch to Manning.

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Other than hilariously securing his future in the NFL, Anthony Edwards also made a promise to Peyton’s 13-year-old son Marshall before heading to the locker room, “Give you a pair of shoes or something after practice. Good luck man.” And he kept his word by gifting the kid a signed pair of his basketball shoes as a souvenir, making the link-up extremely wholesome.

While the Timberwolves’ leader is in Paris representing Team USA, Peyton Manning was also on Olympics duty as the co-host of the opening ceremony for NBC, along with Kelly Clarkson and Mike Tirico. So, giving Manning’s son a pair of shoes surely won everyone’s heart, however, this meeting between them has left a distinct and unanswered question mark in some minds.

After Anthony Edwards’ 2-in-1 career hint, was the Team USA star serious about his NFL pitch to Manning?

Although it seemed like Edwards was joking around with Manning just to get a good laugh, there’s a slight chance that he wasn’t kidding. While he has made his mark as a basketball sensation, Ant was initially a dual-sports athlete, and surprisingly, his first love as a kid was always football. Moreover, he also played youth football for the Atlanta Vikings and there are even highlights on the internet of him dominating his opponents as the team’s quarterback and running back.

What’s your perspective on:

Anthony Edwards teaming up with Peyton Manning—Is this the ultimate sports crossover we've been waiting for?

Have an interesting take?

What’s important to note is that Ant-Man also claimed last year during comedian Marco Summers’ ‘Open Thoughts’ show that he might seek a future in the NFL at some point in his career. When asked if there has ever been a player to play both in the NBA and the NFL, Edwards replied, “I think I might be the first one!”

Don’t worry hoopers! He’s not leaving right away. Ant clarified that winning an NBA Championship is his priority, “First I gotta handle my business in the NBA… as a time, Minnesota organization, we want to win a championship. After that, we’ll figure that out.”

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But knowing that Anthony Edwards has the NFL bug in mind, he might have just already begun planting the seed with his informal pitch to Manning during the Team USA linkup. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.

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