Jeb Bush: I rooted for the Broncos because Peyton sent me a check

It’s not as ridiculous as then-Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina saying she’d root against her alma mater in the Rose Bowl in hopes for a couple more votes in Iowa, but Jeb Bush’s sports loyalty was purchased fairly cheap.

Bush, a current Republican presidential candidate, told a crowd during a campaign stop in Mount Pleasant, S.C. that he was rooting against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. At least give the former Florida governor points for being honest. The reason? Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is a contributor.

“I know that y’all probably maybe had some leanings toward Carolina,” Bush said, according to the News & Observer. “I was for Denver, not because of the Broncos, but because Peyton Manning wrote me a check.”

The News & Observer reported that according to campaign finance records, Manning gave Bush a $2,700 contribution last August.

Bush said Manning is “the adult in the room,” and said he is the adult among the Republicans at the primaries.

With the way the election is shaping up, maybe Manning should stop sending contribution checks and run for president himself. There are worse options.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab