WATCH: Peyton Manning pulled up to link up with LeBron James-led US men’s basketball team at Paris Olympics

Peyton Manning visited Paris to take part in the NBC coverage of the Olympic opening ceremonies on Friday.

WATCH: Peyton Manning pulled up to link up with LeBron James-led US men’s basketball team at Paris Olympics

Peyton Manning pulled up to link up with LeBron James & team at Paris Olympics (Via Imago/NPR/X)

Peyton Manning seems to be enjoying his time at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 as he made a surprise appearance at the USA Men’s basketball practice session to greet the players and wish them luck for the match. 

The two-time Super Bowl champion visited Paris to take part in the NBC coverage of the honoring opening ceremonies held on Friday. As he had a few spare days on his Europe trip, he decided to stop by the Saturday practice session of the men’s basketball team representing the USA in the Olympic Games 2024. 

YouTube video

In a video shared by USA Basketball’s official X handle, Manning can be seen greeting the legend LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and the rest of the clan. He shook hands with each of the members of the squad and raised their spirit for Sunday’s game with words of affirmation. 

FS Video

After wrapping up the practice session on Saturday, team USA is all set to dominate their first game against Team Serbia at the Olympic Games, scheduled for Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET. James has returned to the Olympics after more than a decade, aiming for his third gold and fourth career Olympic medal. Meanwhile, his teammate Curry is making his debut at the Olympics this year. 

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Peyton Manning joins NBC’s coverage of Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony

The Pro Hall of Famer attended the Olympics as an NBC broadcaster to cover the opening ceremonies of the most-watched sporting event across the world. Tuning in the viewers for an event as grand as the Olympic Games is not a tough task for the broadcasting channels, but bringing in stars such as Manning certainly makes a difference. 

The former NFL quarterback was joined by Mike Tirico and Kelly Clarkson for covering the ceremony with the splendid view of the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

Peyton Manning with Mike Tirico and Kelly Clarkson to cover Paris Olympic opening ceremony
Peyton Manning with Mike Tirico and Kelly Clarkson to cover Paris Olympic opening ceremony (Via NBC Network)
I kind of argued with him as to why he and NBC thought I was worthy. He said they were bringing in Kelly Clarkson to kind of give the perspective of the fan and wanted me to share the perspective of what these athletes are thinking about it.
Peyton Manning said in a conversation with The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand

Since departing his Hall of Fame NFL career, Manning has gained quite prominence in the field of broadcasting and is counted among the popular voices of NBC Network. Even though he never participated in the Olympics as an athlete, he brings a fresh perspective to the audience combined with his anchoring skills, which not many are capable of doing. 

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