In the third episode of “Peyton’s Places” on ESPN Plus, former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning visited Wrigley Field to talk about the berth of the quarterback position. While at the stadium, Manning visited with then-Cubs manager Joe Maddon and third baseman Kris Bryant.
Maddon asked Manning about the meaning of the quarterback’s famous pre-snap code word: “Omaha!”
“It was a rhythmic three-syllable word,” Manning explained. “[It] meant we had changed the play, usually after kind of calling two plays in the huddle.
“All of a sudden, the defense shifts late and there’s just a few seconds left on the play clock, and so ‘Omaha’ meant we’re going to Plan B and this ball’s about to be snapped.”
Manning went on to say he visited Omaha, Nebraska, a few years ago and he’s “a big deal there now,” and they even gave him the key to the city.
Manning popularized the phrase during his playing days and even ended his retirement press conference by repeating it in 2016.
Manning was coy about the word during his playing days, joking before the AFC championship game in 2014 that it was a run play that could be a pass play depending on the wind and other factors.
“Peyton’s Places” is a show on ESPN Plus that features Manning visiting key people and places in NFL history, celebrating the league’s 100 years.
Manning won two Super Bowls during his career and five league MVP awards, but many fans — including U.S. soccer star Mallory Pugh — will fondly remember him best for his signature “Omaha” exclamations.
