We all did it growing up. Playing football in the backyard, counting down the clock in our heads as we drop back, looking to the imaginary endzone where we find our friend, open, waiting for that game winning touchdown throw as time expires. And as he catches it, we made the call, announcing ourselves as the greatest of all time.
Greatness is something every professional athlete strives for. Which is why this Sunday, when the Broncos and Seahawks battle for the NFL title, I’ll be rooting for one of the greatest stories ever in Peyton Manning.
“Is Peyton Manning the greatest quarterback of all time?” has been asked for years. It was just a matter of time before he had the numbers. But for awhile he lacked the post-season success. And while he did win the big game, he’s only won one. So Peyton is lumped in with other NFL greats like Montana, Marino, Brady and more.
But this Sunday, Peyton has the chance to separate himself from the pack. While two championships wouldn’t give him the most, it would be a historic feat.
Peyton has already had the most prolific season of any quarterback ever, arguably of any NFL player ever. He has thrown for more touchdowns and more yards in one season than anyone before him. Adding a Super Bowl to this season would without a doubt make it the single greatest season by an NFL player. It would nearly be perfection. The records and the ring? It can’t get better than that.
Greatness is something every professional athlete strives for. Which is why this Sunday, when the Broncos and Seahawks battle for the NFL title, I’ll be rooting for one of the greatest stories ever in Peyton Manning.
“Is Peyton Manning the greatest quarterback of all time?” has been asked for years. It was just a matter of time before he had the numbers. But for awhile he lacked the post-season success. And while he did win the big game, he’s only won one. So Peyton is lumped in with other NFL greats like Montana, Marino, Brady and more.
But this Sunday, Peyton has the chance to separate himself from the pack. While two championships wouldn’t give him the most, it would be a historic feat.
Peyton has already had the most prolific season of any quarterback ever, arguably of any NFL player ever. He has thrown for more touchdowns and more yards in one season than anyone before him. Adding a Super Bowl to this season would without a doubt make it the single greatest season by an NFL player. It would nearly be perfection. The records and the ring? It can’t get better than that.
A second part of this is he would be the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two teams. We’ve seen some legendary quarterbacks leave the team they made their mark with before. But never have they done what Peyton has done. The fact that he has been able to find this remarkable level of success after leaving Indianapolis a feat of its own. Oh and that whole neck surgery that made people wonder if he could even play football again. And here he is, preparing to lead the Denver Broncos to their third Super Bowl victory.
It is very rare we see an athlete perform at the level Manning has this season. It is very rare we see an athlete perform at the level Manning has for his career. In a game where many agree there is no one “greatest player of all time” like Jordan for basketball, Manning winning on Sunday would give us someone to say, “Well that Peyton Manning guy was pretty special.”
Which is why, unless you are a Seahawks fan, you should want the Broncos to win Super Bowl XLVIII. Seeing history made is fun. Its something you will be able to tell your children about. Its something you will be able to reminisce about at the bar as the game comes on ESPN Classic. Seeing that #18 raise the Lombardi trophy again would be one of the greatest sports stories of all time.
So sorry Seahawks fans, wanting Manning to win means I want you to lose. If it makes you feel better I wanted you to beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XL.
It is very rare we see an athlete perform at the level Manning has this season. It is very rare we see an athlete perform at the level Manning has for his career. In a game where many agree there is no one “greatest player of all time” like Jordan for basketball, Manning winning on Sunday would give us someone to say, “Well that Peyton Manning guy was pretty special.”
Which is why, unless you are a Seahawks fan, you should want the Broncos to win Super Bowl XLVIII. Seeing history made is fun. Its something you will be able to tell your children about. Its something you will be able to reminisce about at the bar as the game comes on ESPN Classic. Seeing that #18 raise the Lombardi trophy again would be one of the greatest sports stories of all time.
So sorry Seahawks fans, wanting Manning to win means I want you to lose. If it makes you feel better I wanted you to beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XL.