HispanicBusiness

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning responded to Colts owner Jim Irsay's criticism Thursday, saying they need to have a "healthy conversation."

Irsay criticized Manning for comments Manning made to the Indianapolis Star on Monday about the atmosphere around the Colts franchise during a time of staff upheaval.

The owner called Manning "a politician" and said he should have kept his comments "in house."

Manning called the Indy Star on Thursday night to offer a rebuttal.

"At this point, Mr. Irsay and I owe it to each other and to the fans of the organization to handle this appropriately and professionally, and I think we will," Manning told the Star. "I've already reached out to Mr. Irsay. I wasn't trying to paint the Colts in a bad light, but it's tough when so many people you've known for so long are suddenly leaving. I feel very close to a lot of these guys and we've done great things together. It's hard to watch an old friend clean out his office. That's all I was trying to say."

Manning continued:

"I just want to keep rehabbing and working hard, and when the time is right for Mr. Irsay and I to sit down, I look forward to a healthy conversation about my future. I've worked too hard and have such great respect and have so many great relationships inside the building and out, and it's incredibly important that those remain."

Shortly before 1 a.m., Irsay took to Twitter with this message: "Peyton and I love each other, that goes without saying..I humbly serve n protect the Horseshoe..it is bigger than any individual, including me."