The NFL’s recent Pro Bowl served as a reminder that former Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, really doesn’t like to lose.
This year’s Pro Bowl was the first reimagined version that the NFL tried out. Instead of the usual game, the league played a series of flag football games and had various other competitive activities. The activities ranged from dodgeball to catching water balloons, so surely the weekend would be all fun and games, right? Well, not quite. There was plenty of room for intense, competitive energy, and some participants made sure to bring it. That includes the retired Peyton Manning.
The Indianapolis Colts only had one player selected for the Pro Bowl and that was Quenton Nelson, who didn’t participate. However, the Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, served as the two head coaches of both teams. Peyton coaching the AFC, obviously, and Eli leading the NFC. Eli Manning and the NFC were ultimately victorious after a controversial kneel down ended the final game and Peyton was not happy about it.
Peyton immediately charged the field to contest the rules with a passion reserved for a playoff game. It was clear that Peyton didn’t care if this was just a fun Pro Bowl game, his drive to win was still very high. With the game ending with Peyton Manning upset, people quickly took to social media to joke about how much Peyton hates to lose in anything.
Peyton Manning is FURIOUS#ProBowlGames pic.twitter.com/MrgJz1p5QT
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 5, 2023
Peyton Manning brought his passion to the Pro Bowl
Anyone that watched Peyton Manning throughout his 18-year career wasn’t shocked by this at all. Manning is a hyper-competitive person with a drive for excellence; that’s why he was so great throughout his career. Anytime things were going wrong during his time with the Colts, he was bound to blow up and let his voice be heard. There’s of course the passionate exchange between him and Jeff Saturday on the sideline during a game.
Many have joked that this burning passion for greatness, and Manning’s experience as an all-time great quarterback, is probably why Peyton couldn’t be an NFL coach. It would simply pain him too much to just have to watch players underperform or make bad decisions. People get a glimpse of that during the Monday Night Football ManningCasts. As players and coaches make head-scratching decisions, Peyton is always visibly flustered as he can only sit and watch.
It’s unclear what format the NFL will be using for next year’s Pro Bowl but if Peyton Manning is invited back as a coach, he’ll certainly be returning with a vengeance, setting out to be victorious.
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