Hall of Famer Peyton Manning is joining NBC's Olympics coverage

Peyton Manning is heading to the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

The former star quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer told The Athletic's Andrew Marchand he will join NBC Sports' Mike Tirico and three-time Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson for the network's coverage of the opening ceremony. Tirico approached him with the idea at the Kentucky Derby last May.

"I kind of argued with him as to why he and NBC thought I was worthy," Manning said, via Marchand. "He said they were bringing in Kelly Clarkson to kind of give the perspective of a fan and wanted me to share the perspective of what these athletes are thinking about it."

Tirico told Marchand he was "thrilled" Manning and Clarkson agreed to host.

Since retiring from the NFL in 2016, Manning has become a sports media star. He hosts the "ManningCast" – an alternate telecast to "Monday Night Football" – with his brother, former New York Giants QB Eli. He also owns Omaha Productions, which creates content for ESPN and has hosted the Country Music Awards. Covering the Olympics, however, is the biggest role of his career and could elevate his brand. As a result, he's taking it seriously. 

"So far, I've been so impressed because, not surprisingly, he's a maniac for research and preparation," the president of NBC's Olympic productions, Molly Solomon, told Marchand. 

Manning plans to do some sightseeing before the opening ceremony on July 26, 2024, explaining that he has only been to Paris once and is "fulfilling [his] promise" to his mother that he would eventually take her to the City of Light.