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INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning still holds Indianapolis in a special place. Even if Denver is opening the season against his former team. Two days after Manning found out his rematch with the Colts would be the first Sunday night game of the NFLs season, the reigning MVP returned to town for a very different reason -- to help host an annual fundraiser for the Peyton Manning Childrens Hospital at St. Vincent. Its the first time Manning has been back since his emotional October homecoming ended with Denvers first loss of the season. "I had a pretty good feeling that game (Colts-Broncos) would be on TV," Manning said as reporters laughed. "Its a tough schedule with three playoff teams (Indy, Kansas City and Seattle) right off the bat and we play the Colts right at the start. Theyre a good team, they were right there at the end and we know theyll be an excellent opponent." Manning expects the Colts to be so good, in fact, that after taking a quick peek at the schedule Thursday, the record-breaking quarterback changed his plans and immediately returned to the weight room. His teammates soon followed. What else are players to do when they see the only five-time MVP in league history going in for another overtime session? For Manning, theres plenty at stake this season. Hes coming off a year in which he proved he was back to his old ways by breaking NFL records for yards passing and TD passes and then won a third AFC title before a devastating blowout loss to Seattle in the Super Bowl. He wasnt even sure hed be back this year until doctors examined his surgically-repaired neck. Now, the 38-year-old Manning says, he intends to keep playing as long as his body allows it and as long as the Broncos want to keep him. But this weekend is one of those rare times Manning pushes football to the back burner. Following Thursdays workouts in Denver, Manning flew to Indianapolis and spent Friday with patients and their families at the hospital that bears his name. On Saturday night, he planned to add to the $7 million-plus total he helped raise over the last six years at the Celebration of Caring Gala. This is the third straight year hes come from Denver to attend the event. "Its one of the best teams that Ive ever been part of," Manning said, referring to the people hes met at the hospital. "Im not sure who are the bigger heroes -- the patients or the staff. Its truly inspiring." Reporters were not allowed inside the FedEx Aircraft Hangar where the event was held because of security reasons, but Manning has traditionally raised money by auctioning off a vast array of autographed items from some of the biggest names in sports and beyond. Two years ago, the prizes included an autographed item from Mother Theresa and a clipping from a contract signed by Marilyn Monroe. Manning became such an ingrained part of the Indianapolis community that its still hard for some Colts fans to accept he plays for Denver. Its not any easier for Manning. Before his first career game against the Colts, Manning interrupted his pregame warm-ups to mouth the words "thank you" after a two-minute video tribute played on the stadiums large video boards. Denver wound up losing 39-33. A couple of weeks ago, Manning and some of his ex-Colts teammates got together for a golf trip and they started texting some of their former teammates who werent there. And when team owner Jim Irsay was arrested last month on suspicion of intoxicated driving and other charges, Manning said he contacted Irsay though he wouldnt elaborate on what the message was. "Thats a private topic," Manning said. "Its very private and very personal." So it wouldnt be surprising if Mannings emotions come rushing back again when he faces Andrew Lucks Colts again on Sept. 7, this time in Denver. And to the surprise of nobody, hes already working on a solution. "Its nice that the schedule comes out during our off-season workouts," he said, "because its a reminder of how hard you have to work to get where you want to go." .com) - Fair Grounds commences its road to the Kentucky Derby Saturday with the 71st running of the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes. . After missing 20 games as a rookie a year ago, Valanciunas - like the Raptors as a whole - has been fortunate to be in good health this season. As he spoke about it, the Raptors sophomore centre scanned the room for wood to knock on. "It is disappointing because we lost today so thats the worst part of the day," said Valanciunas, who left Tuesdays game with a lower-back sprain in the third quarter, missing the rest of Torontos 118-113 overtime defeat at the hands of the Hawks. http://www.redskinsfansproshop.com/Reds ... l?cat=1332. - Mark Sanchez found out the New York Jets had acquired Tim Tebow on a conference call with team management. .C., won gold in the womens 200-metre backstroke, and Dominique Bouchard of North Bay, Ont. . -- Pelicans coach Monty Williams does not expect guard Eric Gordon to play in any of New Orleans final five games this season.College Park, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Dez Wells played for the first time in over a month and scored all 10 of his points in the second half, helping No. 15 Maryland hold off Oakland for a 72-56 win on Saturday. Wells, out since suffering a broken right wrist against Iowa State on Nov. 25, threw down an alley-oop dunk to spark a 9-0 Terrapins run to end the game. Everything feels good, he said. I felt fine and Im confident so Im ready to play. Maryland led by as much as 23 points early in the second half before Oakland clawed back to make it a game. Melo Trimble scored 17 points to lead the Terrapins (12-1), who have won five in a row since falling to nationally ranked Virginia on Dec. 3 to reach their highest ranking in the Associated Press poll since Jan. 2, 2006. Jake Layman added 15 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. Jalen Hayes scored 13 points to lead Oakland (4-10). Kahlil Felder added 12 points and Corey Petros and Dante Williams had 11 each for the Golden Grizzlies, who went scoreless over the last 4:15 of the game. Theyre ranked 15th in the country for a reason, said Oakland coach Greg Kampe. They have some great wins and we came at them and handled iit and they made plays.dddddddddddd. Thats what championship teams do when they get in trouble, they make plays and Wells did that. Wells, who remained Marylands leading scorer while he was sidelined, checked in at 14:12 and played 10 minutes in the first half, missing one shot. The Terrapins had a 37-19 lead at halftime following an 18-4 run highlighted by consecutive 3-pointers from Trimble. They extended the run to 23-4 by scoring the first five points in the second half for a 42-19 lead. Oakland followed with a 13-2 run to make it a game, but never got closer than seven down the stretch. This was a trap game for us, said Maryland coach Mark Turgeon. Its right after Christmas and (we only had) a day and a half of work. Im really pleased with our guys. I felt comfortable all game that we were in control. The last four minutes when Oakland made a little run at us, our guys stepped it up and it was good to see. The Terrapins begin their first season in the Big Ten on Tuesday at Michigan State. Game Notes It was the first-ever meeting between the programs ... Oakland opens Horizon League play on Friday against Valparaiso. ' ' '