The Sheriff’s Final Ride: A Tribute to Peyton Manning
Nothing in that gaudy apartment could draw my attention away from the television screen yesterday evening. I was transfixed as Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 in, what was likely Manning’s last game of his elusive career.
I couldn’t get my eyes off that television, and there were a lot of things going on around me that could have drawn my eyes away. There was something so mesmerizing about seeing Peyton hoist that Lombardi Trophy, it just felt so, satisfying.
Manning didn’t play his best game, but it wasn’t his worst either. His worst game, in my opinion, came against the San Diego Chargers in 2010 where he hurled four interceptions, and the Colts were left with a stinging loss.
I’ll never forget that game, but I also will never forget all of the good games Peyton had in Indianapolis. Like when he brought the Colts back from 15 down in Minnesota against the Vikings in 2008. A game, I was so privileged to have attended in person.
I, along with legions of Colts fans will also never forget the Super Bowl he brought to Indianapolis in 2006, the first since 1970, when the team was still in Baltimore. To this day, Manning is the only “Indianapolis” Colts quarterback to win a Super Bowl, which has to account for something.
The irony in all this is the fact that the Colts almost ended Manning’s career last season. Indianapolis was able to handle Denver in the Divisional round, and Peyton clearly showed his age, as passes were left short, and inaccurate. However, Manning knew it couldn’t end that way, although his body was telling him no, he still decided to suit up for one more season.
For Manning, 2015 was less about him, it was more about the team. Manning has always been the quintessential team player, but for most of his career he’s been seen as “the guy” which normally leaves his teammates in the background. This season, it was Manning that took a step into the background as Denver’s defense commanded the foreground.
Manning still commanded headlines as rumors circulated of his possible HGH use after having multiple neck surgeries in 2011. It seemed to be a blatant attempt at defaming Manning’s good name, and it questioned his integrity for the NFL.
Normally, Manning is fairly passive and tame when it comes to media speculation and reports. This time, Manning went on the offensive, and vehemently denounced the reports with as much anger and frustration as I’ve ever seen from him.
On top of that, Manning had to fight for his starting job after suffering from Plantar Fasciitis late in the regular season. Manning was able to get his starter’s spot back, and led the Broncos to the number one seed in the AFC. And, the rest, you know.
I don’t think I’m able to put into words how important Peyton Manning has been to me, the Indianapolis Colts, and the NFL. There is not a better athlete to look up to as a football player and, more importantly, as a person. Peyton Manning is an ideal role model, and he has served as an unbelievable ambassador for the game of football.
Us Colts fans wanted to be just like him, at least I did. When I was young, I wanted to be like him from a football standpoint. As I’ve grown up, and become a “adult” I’ve wanted to become like him as a person.
There aren’t too many athletes that hold that esteem when you think about it. Sure, we want to be like Michael Jordan on the court, but do we want to be like him off the court? I’m not so sure. With Manning, you want to be like him on the field, but more importantly you want to be more like what he is off the field.
I say all this because I do believe last night was the final time we’ll see Peyton Manning play in an NFL game. The evidence is there to support it, and his emotional interview with Bill Cowher only sealed it for me.
So, I’ll just leave this with a thank you, a thank you to Peyton Manning. Thank you, for entertaining and inspiring me, and many others with your fantastic play on the field for all these years.
Next: Manning Wins 2nd Super Bowl
More importantly, thank you for setting the bar for what a professional athlete should look like off the field. For me, there is probably only one other athlete besides Peyton that has truly had an influence on how I live my life, and that has to mean something.
Finally, you can take off your badge and ride off on your noble steed Sheriff…