Tribute to Peyton Manning
Yesterday I was planning on jumping on and writing about baseball and spring training but that is going to have to wait because I now have to pay tribute to one sports figure who has impacted my "love of the game" more than any other professional. Though I did not catch much of the media coverage, I feel like the retirement of Peyton Manning has been downplayed a bit.
It is very possible that it isn't downplayed at all. It could be over-stressed at this point. But from my personal perspective and the impact that Manning had on my life (yes, my life), there is no way that such an amazing player and human being could ever receive enough credit.
As a child, I was a flip-flopper. A bandwagoner. I had a hard time choosing a favorite team in any sport. I liked the Bulls, Jazz, Suns. The Braves, Diamondbacks, Angels. The Red Wings and Avalanche. The 49ers, Broncos, and even the Patriots (I regret that). It wasn't until a young QB got drafted first overall to a 3-13 team in 1998 that I decided to stand still. It helped that the team was my father's favorite as well but for the first time I knew that the Indianapolis Colts would be my favorite team...forever...making way for me to have other teams in other sports as forever favorites.
I had liked the Colts a bit previously because of my dad and I had another familial affinity to the University of Tennessee (where Manning played college ball) since I had and aunt and uncle live in Knoxville but the impact that Peyton had on my life goes deeper than just picking a favorite team.
Growing up watching Peyton Manning toss TDs and speak to the media, I discovered the beauty of humility and maturity. In an era where showmanship and ego took the forefront with TD dances and the over-hyped sack celebration, Peyton was celebratory but never about himself. When he spoke, he spoke about team. He let his on-field play prove he was the Greatest Of All Time. He would never say that in words.
As Herm Edwards states, "When [Manning] walks into the room, the culture changes." That is the epitome of leadership. Manning taught me selfless leadership. He inspire greatness on his team and on those he went up against.
I have always enjoyed sports but when you have a player or a team to root for, it goes beyond entertainment. Following their stats, their wins, their losses, their patterns leads to passion. Life is not full unless there is some passion. I have a passion for sports and some of that is attributed to Peyton Manning; my loyalty to him and inevitably the Indianapolis Colts.
I am not going to say that he is without flaw, I don't know if he is, but his accomplishments on the field and, more importantly, in his character have inspired me to be excellent in all that I do. I want to be a leader because of him. I want to show maturity in teamwork because of him. And I found my love of sports because of him.
When I saw the report, I choked up. When I watched the press conference, my eyes became misty. I will not hide the fact that I am sad that his time is over, but he has been around a long time and had a great run. He may always be my favorite player ever but even if not, I give him credit for helping to teach me to love sports for the right reasons. Fundamentals, competitive motivation, humility, hard work. He deserves the greatest of farewell parties. With greatest admiration I say, Farewell Sheriff.
Omaha.
It is very possible that it isn't downplayed at all. It could be over-stressed at this point. But from my personal perspective and the impact that Manning had on my life (yes, my life), there is no way that such an amazing player and human being could ever receive enough credit.
As a child, I was a flip-flopper. A bandwagoner. I had a hard time choosing a favorite team in any sport. I liked the Bulls, Jazz, Suns. The Braves, Diamondbacks, Angels. The Red Wings and Avalanche. The 49ers, Broncos, and even the Patriots (I regret that). It wasn't until a young QB got drafted first overall to a 3-13 team in 1998 that I decided to stand still. It helped that the team was my father's favorite as well but for the first time I knew that the Indianapolis Colts would be my favorite team...forever...making way for me to have other teams in other sports as forever favorites.
I had liked the Colts a bit previously because of my dad and I had another familial affinity to the University of Tennessee (where Manning played college ball) since I had and aunt and uncle live in Knoxville but the impact that Peyton had on my life goes deeper than just picking a favorite team.
Growing up watching Peyton Manning toss TDs and speak to the media, I discovered the beauty of humility and maturity. In an era where showmanship and ego took the forefront with TD dances and the over-hyped sack celebration, Peyton was celebratory but never about himself. When he spoke, he spoke about team. He let his on-field play prove he was the Greatest Of All Time. He would never say that in words.
As Herm Edwards states, "When [Manning] walks into the room, the culture changes." That is the epitome of leadership. Manning taught me selfless leadership. He inspire greatness on his team and on those he went up against.
I have always enjoyed sports but when you have a player or a team to root for, it goes beyond entertainment. Following their stats, their wins, their losses, their patterns leads to passion. Life is not full unless there is some passion. I have a passion for sports and some of that is attributed to Peyton Manning; my loyalty to him and inevitably the Indianapolis Colts.
I am not going to say that he is without flaw, I don't know if he is, but his accomplishments on the field and, more importantly, in his character have inspired me to be excellent in all that I do. I want to be a leader because of him. I want to show maturity in teamwork because of him. And I found my love of sports because of him.
When I saw the report, I choked up. When I watched the press conference, my eyes became misty. I will not hide the fact that I am sad that his time is over, but he has been around a long time and had a great run. He may always be my favorite player ever but even if not, I give him credit for helping to teach me to love sports for the right reasons. Fundamentals, competitive motivation, humility, hard work. He deserves the greatest of farewell parties. With greatest admiration I say, Farewell Sheriff.
Omaha.
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