Peyton Manning got Bill Belichick to confirm that he tried to get even with former Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell in 1998 by naming Peter Boulware to the Pro Bowl. However, there appears to be one major flaw to the story.
The primary catalyst for revenge might not exist.
Manning first told this story on the ManningCast in 2022. He asked Belichick for his perspective on Monday night.
It started in 1995 when Modell decided to fire Belichick as Cleveland’s head coach and de facto general manager. That did not sit well with the dismissed employee, who held on to his grudge for at least three years.
Now fast forward to 1998, two years after Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore as the Ravens.
Belichick was the associate head coach of the New York Jets. Bill Parcells was the head coach. The latter was named as head coach of the AFC Pro Bowl team that year but decided to stay home for health reasons. The former took over in his place.
At the time, Pro Bowl head coaches were allowed to add one “need player” to its roster. They could select one NFL player who had been named a first alternate at linebacker or defensive end in the initial round of voting to make the team as a permanent member.
Belichick picked Baltimore Ravens linebacker Peter Boulware, who told the Baltimore Sun that he was surprised by the decision.
I’m kind of shocked. I had really given up on the Pro Bowl. I was just focusing on the offseason, working out, getting ready for next season. I had to put the Pro Bowl out of my mind. I take this as a blessing. I take this humbly. I’m just thankful to go.
— Peter Boulware
There was an ulterior motive to the decision. Although Boulware was the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Belichick selected him to get back at Modell for firing him.
Manning explained in 2022 that there was finances involved. Boulware supposedly had a $1 million Pro Bowl bonus written in his contract. Belichick wanted to make Modell pay up.
He picked Peter Boulware because he knew that Art Modell would have to pay Boulware a million-dollar bonus if Boulware made the Pro Bowl. Belichick hated Modell.
– Peyton Manning in 2022
That was confirmed during the Bills’ win over the Jets on Monday night, kind of.
Manning asked Belichick if he added Boulware to the AFC roster out of spite. Belichick said yes.
There is only one problem with this awesome story. According to fun-spoiler Mike Florio, Boulware’s contract for 1998 did not include the aforementioned bonus. Even if Bill Belichick picked Peter Boulware to spite Art Modell, Modell did not have to pay out a bonus of $1 million to Boulware.