<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Manning reaches out to family with call By Mike Chappell Posted: August 10, 2008 Peyton Manning provided a family temporary respite from an unremitting ordeal. All it took was a couple of telephone calls to the Burghduf residence in Niles, Mich. Each was in response to a request from Brian Burghduf, who was losing a battle with leukemia that had stretched more than 21/2 years. "What an awesome guy,'' Sherri Burghduf said of Manning. "My husband was so impressed with him.'' Burghduf, 48, died July 29, less than a week after spending a few minutes on the phone with the Indianapolis Colts quarterback. It actually was the second attempt by Manning to reach out to Burghduf, who missed the initial call because he was getting outpatient treatment at the hospital. Sherri Burghduf admitted the family was "very shocked'' that Manning called. The request was made to the Colts by Richard Grom, who strives to create memorable moments for terminally ill patients and their families through a Life is Precious program in St. Joseph. Mich. After failing to connect with Burghduf on July 23, Manning tried again the next morning. He spent about 10 minutes talking with Burghduf and two of his five sons --Jimmy, 17, who's captain of his high school football team, and Jeff, 14. The family, which spent 11 years in Mishawaka, Ind., before moving to Niles, long considered itself staunch fans of the Colts and Manning. Now, more so. "He not only calls once, but then follows up and calls the next day,'' Sherri Burghduf said. "It was not like a quick, quick phone call. He took time to speak to my kids, asking them what positions they play and things like that, and my husband. "Brian was so thrilled. My sons mean the world to me and my husband and for Peyton to take time to make my husband's day and my kids' day, knowing what was coming, we'll always have that memory. It was just an awesome memory to have and that's what my husband would want.''</div> Source I just thought it was nice how Peyton was able to communicate before the young man passed away.
