Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning says despite all the uncertainty and rumors, he’s going forward assuming he’s staying put as the franchise’s starting quarterback after a year lost to injury, while also focusing on his brother Eli Manning coming to Indy to play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Peyton also discussed the rumor of his retirement started on Twitter by actor Rob Lowe.

“I’m still under contract to the Colts,” said Peyton, whose playoff record pales compared to his younger brother’s. “I’m still the quarterback of the Colts. That’s why I’m in the building every day trying to get healthy.”

Peyton added that he’s met with new Colts general manager Ryan Grigson and been told that owner Jim Irsay, not Grigson, will make the decision on whether the Colts pick up Peyton’s $28 million option for next season or cut him loose. “One thing [Grigson] kind of, sort of, told me, without really wanting to tell me, was that Irsay will be the guy I’m going to sit down and talk with,” said Peyton. “That’s going to happen at some point, but we haven’t had that conversation yet because we really don’t need to have that conversation yet.” Sounds like Peyton wants to see how his rehab goes a little longer before having that discussion.

One discussion Peyton has had with his owner is helping him hook his brother up. “Jim called after [Eli and the Giants won the NFC championship] game and offered any kind of help he could give, which was generous.”

Peyton also said he’d spoken to Irsay about the Rob Lowe Twitter Incident, because Irsay is friends with the actor — and Peyton would only refer to Lowe by the name of his character in the 1983 film The Outsiders. “I never thought ‘Sodapop Curtis’ would announce my retirement,” joked Peyton. “I always thought I would be the one to announce it. I’m a huge fan of the movie, but that caught me way off guard. I can’t explain it. I know he is a friend of Jim’s, and Jim sounded surprised.”