Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning talks with ESPN sideline reporter Chris Mortensen during the 2005 American Bowl August 6 at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Colts 27 - 21. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning's rookie season may have been aided by some illegal help from his team

This is a new one.

The Indianapolis Colts weren't good in Peyton Manning's rookie season, but the team may have gone the extra mile to help the former Tennessee Volunteer succeed, especially on the road.

Former Colts offensive lineman Tarik Glenn spoke in-depth with the Indy Star, and one of the most-interesting nuggets included his revelation that the Colts coaching staff gave the offensive line hearing aid to tune out the crowd and amp up Manning's voice.

Via the Indianapolis Star:

"We were playing on the road, it might have been Peyton's rookie year, and it was really loud," Glenn said. "Peyton hadn't mastered the silent count, so [former Colts offensive line coach] Howard Mudd had us wearing these hearing aids that were supposed to muffle the crowd while projecting the quarterback's voice.

"Peyton said, 'Hike,' and I didn't hear him. Everybody moved and I was still on the line of scrimmage. My man ran right by me. I turned around and yelled to Peyton, 'Watch out!' He didn't hear me and he got sacked."

This is against NFL rules, of course.

Had this been revealed during Manning's career, it would have been interesting to see the response by fans and analysts. Remember, the Colts were the team that reported the New England Patriots for cheating in-game during their playoff match-up a few years ago.

The Colts went 3-13 in Manning's rookie season.