Peyton Manning discusses co-hosting CMA Awards, Morgan Wallen, his 2024 in country music

Ahead of co-hosting 2024's Country Music Association Awards with Luke Bryan and Lainey Wilson, National Football League Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning is cutting a profile more in line with "Hee Haw" host Roy Clark than a former Super Bowl MVP.

Attired in a plaid gingham dress shirt, straight-leg blue jeans and brown cowboy boots while backstage at Bridgestone Arena during CMA rehearsals late Tuesday afternoon, he looks more than comfortable amidst the preparations for country music's biggest night.

But don't confuse him for the show's star by any stretch.

"I'm like a fly on the wall — actually, I'm more like the guy on an NFL football field who tells the referee that the television time-out is about to end and that we need to get the players back at the line of scrimmage to get the game rolling," he joked to The Tennessean.

The 2024 CMA Awards take place on Nov. 20, live from Nashville. They will broadcast from 8-11 p.m. EST on ABC and available the next day on Hulu.

Going 'all in' while walking out with Morgan Wallen

This year has found Manning to be more interested in all facets of country music than ever before.

Two months ago, he took part in Morgan Wallen's stage entrance walkout during one of his sold-out "hometown show" performance nights at the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium, where Manning played his college ball.

Amidst a tour cycle that also saw Wallen walk out with former professional boxing world champion "Iron" Mike Tyson at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium, Manning's appearance may have been even more memorable.

He joined the 2024 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee and 11-time 2023 Billboard Music Award-winner wearing his familiar No. 16 jersey with shoulder pads, pants and helmet.

"When my brother Eli did it in New York, he looked kinda stiff; when Tom Brady did it in Las Vegas with Mike Tyson, he had on a really tight shirt and when Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce did it in Kansas City, they looked cool and together — but I'm not as cool as them," joked Manning.

"Realizing I was walking out of the same tunnel I walked out of 30 years ago made me decide to go all in," he said. "I went as far as taping my ankles and though it fit me a little snugger than before, I had the helmet I wore when in my senior year of college pulled out from behind glass in a memorabilia room at the university," Manning said. University of Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and current starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava joined in the walkout.

"It was an honor to be involved in a heck of a concert," said Manning.

'It's All Country'

The former quarterback also partnered with his CMA Awards co-host Bryan on "It's All Country," a six-episode Hulu documentary series aimed at uncovering the secrets, hidden inspirations and personal moments behind some of country music's biggest songs.

The series is hosted by Bryan and executive produced by Manning's Omaha Productions.

"Just like me hosting 'Peyton's Places' for the NFL, Luke's walked the walk in the (country) arena and is a perfect person to sit down with artists like Luke Combs and Lady A to have a unique type of in-depth conversation that (casual and more involved) country fans aren't used to hearing," Manning said.

In 2019 and 2020, Manning hosted "Peyton's Places," a 30-episode football-themed documentary series highlighting critical moments in NFL history via conversations with former players, coaches and cultural luminaries.

'Country music's in great shape for years to come...'

Regarding his third consecutive year co-hosting the CMA Awards, Manning noted that adding 2023 Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson ("I've gone from giving Lainey a high-five for winning Entertainer of the Year to her now being my co-host") to the stage alongside Luke Bryan is a "fun" addition.

"The artists, nominees and performers having life-changing moments are the true stars of the evening, though," Manning continued.

Of particular note, he's excited about Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait receiving the Country Music Association's Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and being honed via performances by co-host Wilson alongside Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum.

"I'm such a fan of country music that, during rehearsals, I'm more excited about the second that I get to finish reading my lines and sit down to watch artists like Luke Combs and Eric Church perform during dress rehearsals," Manning continued, noting that Ashley McBryde honoring Kris Kristofferson should be "pretty special, too."

Manning offered a final note about what he's observed about country music in the past half-decade that directly impacts the sustainability of its mainstream surge.

"Just like in the NFL, new artists being mentored by and following in the footsteps of the savvy veterans who have succeeded will keep country music in great shape for years to come," he said.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Peyton Manning: Co-host discusses CMA Awards, Morgan Wallen and more