Rep. Steve Cohen, Tennessee Democrat, has gone on the defense after suggesting that football quarterback greats Peyton Manning and Eli Manning committed acts of sexual assaults against their wives.
TMZ Sports has labeled the congressman’s quip the “gaffe of the year,” after he addressed a reporter’s question about Tennessee Titans’ defensive lineman Sammie Hill and that player’s sexual assault allegations. This is what he said, after denying knowledge of Mr. Hill: “I don’t keep up with football, except college football, except Eli Manning or Peyton Manning. And Eli and Peyton don’t do sexual assaults against people other than their wives,” Mediaite reported.
Mr. Cohen’s office shortly after sent out a statement of explanation.
“Congressman Cohen misspoke, abhors sexual violence of any kind, is a fan of both Manning brothers, and deeply regrets any confusion,” his spokesman Ben Garmisa said, Mediaite reported. “His intention was simply to indicate that Eli and Peyton are in committed, monogamous marriages.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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