During a training session last month, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James showed off his Peyton Manning impersonation by calling an “Omaha” audible at the line of scrimmage before completing a pass to teammate Anthony Davis.
James isn’t the first athlete to imitate Manning’s signature “Omaha” cadence. Last summer, USWNT rising star Mallory Pugh showed off her Manning impersonation during a soccer practice at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
On an episode of Peyton’s Places last fall, Manning explained the meaning behind calling “Omaha” at the line of scrimmage.
“It was a rhythmic three-syllable word,” Manning said. “[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, 44, retired from the NFL after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos in 2016. He will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.
