Legendary NFL Star Misses Appearance On Jimmy Kimmel

A legendary NFL quarterback was noticeably absent from his scheduled appearance on Jimmy Kimmel this week.

Kimmel, the host of ABC’s late-night talk show since 2003, returned to the airwaves this past week. Kimmel had been taken off of the air the week prior, following comments about Charlie Kirk’s death. The comedian suggested that MAGA was doing everything they could to make it clear that the shooter was not one of their own. A pair of ABC’s affiliate station owners, Sinclair and Nexstar, took offense to the comments, pulling the show from its airwaves. The head of the FCC also threatened on social media to take action against ABC. The network responded by pulling Kimmel’s show from the airwaves, only to reinstate it about a week later.

“I’ve been hearing a lot about what I need to say and do tonight. And the truth is I don’t think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference. If you like me, you like me. If you don’t, you don’t. I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind. But I do want to make something clear because it’s important to me as a human. And that is you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t, I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” Kimmel said in his first monologue during his return show.

“I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed sending love to his family and asking for compassion and I meant it and I still do. Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what … was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.”

Kimmel returned this week, with guest appearances from celebrities like Glen Powell, Ethan Hawke, Sarah McLachlan and more.

However, one notable NFL star was scheduled to appear on the show, but he was noticeably absent.

Peyton Manning misses Jimmy Kimmel appearance

Peyton Manning, whose Omaha Productions company is producing Glen Powell’s new show, “Chad Powers,” was scheduled to appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Thursday, Sept. 25.

The former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback was scheduled to appear with actor Oscar Nunez (“The Office,” “The Paper”). It was Kimmel’s third show since his return.

However, as noted by the Indy Star, Kimmel did not feature Manning on his show. A notable actress took his place.

“Peyton didn’t appear on the Sept. 25 show though. Actor Julia Louis-Dreyfus was a guest instead, along with Nunez,” the report stated.

“There’s no word on any rescheduling of the two-time Super Bowl-winning champ.”

It’s unclear why Manning missed the show.

Kimmel has since announced his guest list for his run of shows in New York City, which will take place in front of a live studio audience from the Brooklyn Academy of Music from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3:

Manning is notably not featured on that list, either.

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Sep 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.