Bears fan follows through on vow, changing name

jeremyroyce · Post by **jeremyroyce** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:20 pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2757758

DECATUR, Ill. -- How do you spell Scott Wiese?

In a few weeks, that'd be P-e-y-t-o-n M-a-n-n-i-n-g.

Wiese speaks

Bears fan Scott Wiese talks about his decision to change his name to Peyton Manning. Listen

Wiese, a die-hard fan of the Chicago Bears, signed a pledge in front of a crowd at a Decatur bar last Friday night that if the Bears lost Sunday's Super Bowl, he'd change his name to that of the man who led the Indianapolis Colts to victory.

Final score: Colts 29, Bears 17.

So Tuesday, Wiese went to the Macon County Courts Facility and started the process of changing his name.

"I made the bet, and now I've got to keep it," the 26-year-old Wiese said.

Wiese will have to advertise his intention in the local newspaper -- the Herald & Review -- for several weeks and then have a judge give him the OK to become, legally anyway, Peyton Manning.

The men have little in common, Wiese acknowledges.

Manning is 30 years old, stands 6-foot-5 and has a contract with the Colts worth more than $100 million.

Wiese is 5-11 and works at an office-supply store for somewhat less.

"I think I kind of represent all Bears fans," he said. "Not that I'm saying they're all idiots like me, but I represent their passion because I really care about my team, you know?"

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

andyjens89 · Post by **andyjens89** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:47 pm

Stupid

jeremyroyce · Post by **jeremyroyce** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:52 pm

Yeah I can't believe that someone would make a bet like that

BearSkins · Post by **BearSkins** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:59 pm

The cold musta gotten to his brain.

air_hog · Post by **air_hog** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:09 pm

I wonder if "Peyton" has ever talked to a woman...

Hoss · Post by **Hoss** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:50 pm

air_hog wrote:I wonder if "Peyton" has ever talked to a woman...

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:06 pm

I think I kind of represent all Bears fans," he said. "Not that I'm saying they're all idiots like me...

Now, that made me laugh.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:08 pm

Hello 15 minutes of fame.

Goodbye anyone taking you seriously for the rest of your life...

gus · Post by **gus** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:17 pm

I bet he makes a commercial with the real Peyton and makes a couple of bucks. (not that I will change my name off course).

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:23 pm

I bet he makes money off of it.