The full interview is available here
As previously reported, now-retired football legends Eli Manning and Peyton Manning were joined by a familiar face on their “ManningCast” show during this week’s Monday Night Football match-up between the Ravens and Lions, with 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps calling in. Phelps, a Baltimore native and self-described die-hard Ravens fan, spent his appearance providing commentary about his favorite team, while also delving into some humorous discussions with the Manning brothers about his experiences inside and outside of the pool.
After introducing Phelps, Eli immediately started asking the Olympic star about his most pivotal experiences inside the pool. “Do your fingers get pruney?” Eli remarked. While Peyton laughed at the question, Phelps explained that he never had to deal with pruney fingers. From there, Eli attempted to impress Phelps with his knowledge of his signature event, the individual medley, listing off all of the strokes in the incorrect order. Amused over the mistake, Phelps promptly corrected him to which Eli replied, “My daughter is going to be very upset…she’s a swimmer.”
However, one of the funniest moments of the night came when Eli began telling Phelps about a time when he had been mistaken for the famous swimmer.
.@EliManning and @MichaelPhelps getting confused for each other by fans is straight comedy pic.twitter.com/8lpbZWs8u9
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 23, 2025
The audience certainly had some opinions on the topic themselves.
Someone thought Eli Manning was Michael Phelps 😂😂😂
— HalloweenScorpio (@SerpentT0ngu3) September 23, 2025
Michael Phelps and Eli exchanging stories about how they got confused with each other was amazing hahaha.
— . (@SeauxChill) September 23, 2025
WTF, who would mistake Michael Phelps and Eli Manning? I don’t see it!
— Tea Bow (@teabowsf) September 23, 2025
The conversation then turned over to football, with Phelps sharing some insights on the Ravens’ offense, especially quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Talkin’ ball with @MichaelPhelps on ESPN2. pic.twitter.com/gRjGl3peDB
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 23, 2025
Phelps also reflected on the Ravens’ defense, especially in the late 2000s. He cited his close relationship with former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who was a key component of that defensive front. Both brothers echoed his sentiments about Lewis and the former Ravens’ teams.
“It was impossible going against [the Ravens’] defense. It gives me nightmares.”
—Peyton Manning on playing the 2000s Ravens 😅 pic.twitter.com/yx9hDC6A3C
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 23, 2025
Overall, fans were impressed with Phelps’ knowledge of the game of football, and several even praised him for his insights, calling for him to be on the show again.
Michael Phelps should be in there more times this season, dude knows ball #manningcast
— yan (@whathellyan) September 23, 2025
Whether Phelps will make another appearance on the show remains to be seen. However, this is far from his first excursion with the NFL. This summer, Phelps hosted a “learn to swim” clinic with several members of the Ravens, challenging some of the players to a race and hosting a diving contest with them.
Michael Phelps stepped back up on the block today and went toe to toe with the Baltimore Ravens in a 25 Free for time…
He’s still got it.
9.98 – Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps)
14.29- Kyle Hamilton (@Ravens Safety) pic.twitter.com/6ncuJAfxfk— Kyle Sockwell (@kylesockwell) August 13, 2025
@dailymailsportusa As part of legendary swimmer Michael Phelps‘ visit to his favorite NFL team’s preseason practice, the Baltimore Ravens were challenged to a diving contest by the Olympian swimmer. More than a dozen members of the Ravens roster participated and their scores probably wouldn’t score well in the Olympics 😂. Phelps also taught a third of the team how to swim. 🎥: Ravens/Twitter #baltimoreravens #ravens #michaelphelps #swim #diving ♬ original sound – Daily Mail Sport USA
