It’s not complicated. More is better.
An oversimplification? Perhaps. But when it comes to discussing championships and Peyton Manning’s NFL legacy, this axiom — verified by kindergarteners courtesy of AT&T — rings true as ever. His football resume is impressive — 13 Pro Bowl selections, five NFL MVP awards and a very long list of all-time records. But with only one Lombardi Trophy to show for Manning’s decorated career, the stats and accolades are starting to seem like consolation prizes.
Despite Richard Sherman’s best efforts, the major storyline leading up to Sunday’s Super Bowl has centered around the monkey on Manning’s back: must he win a second ring to cement his status as the greatest quarterback to ever live? Poised to claim nearly every major passing record before he retires, Manning has this title locked up at least from a statistical standpoint. His game definitely passes the eye test, as well. Manning’s unique blend of physical gifts and mental acumen are simply un-teachable, products of his football lineage and endless preparation. Manning has picked apart defenses his entire career, orchestrating his dynamic offenses with chess-like precision. A staple of consistent excellence in an ever-changing NFL landscape, Manning hasn’t received nearly enough credit for resurrecting his career following four serious neck surgeries. The second act has been just as awe-inspiring as the first.
But legacy is built on championship pedigree, not on numbers. And establishing a Super Bowl track record requires more than one title. Sure, put Manning at the helm of any team in the league, and it instantly becomes a title contender. Manning has consistently put his teams in prime position to make a championship run. But for whatever reason, Manning’s regular season production hasn’t parlayed into a proportional number of rings. At a certain point, that responsibility has to fall on his shoulders.
Manning’s accomplishments to date have undoubtedly thrust him into the ranks of the super elite. But greatness is relative, and eventually it becomes impossible to ignore the fact that Joe Montana’s four championships and Tom Brady’s three dwarf Manning’s lone ring. Even Peyton’s erratic brother Eli has won two Super Bowls. Whereas no one has offset more team deficiencies over the years than Brady, Manning has repeatedly fallen short with a full arsenal of All-Pro weapons in his huddle. Brady and Montana boast a combined 34-15 playoff record. Manning, on the other hand, is a mediocre 11-11, despite often operating as the odds-on favorite. This all-important gulf certainly knocks him down a notch in the echelon of NFL super elites. There’s a big difference between “the best” and “one of the best.” So yes, to truly cement his status as the greatest QB of all time, Manning needs this victory.
And what an opportunity awaits. Seattle’s defense was seemingly built to stop Peyton Manning on the game’s biggest stage. Led by cocky cornerback Richard Sherman, the “Legion of Boom” Seahawk defense leads the league in interceptions, fewest yards allowed and total takeaways. The “weak opponent” disclaimer that plagued Manning’s first championship over the Rex Grossman-led Chicago Bears certainly would not apply here. Winning even one Super Bowl is a great achievement regardless of the opponent, but a sample size that small doesn’t necessarily isolate or indicate QB excellence. Piggybacking on Baltimore’s dominant defense in 2001, Trent Dilfer proved that even a career journeyman can win the big game once. When a player becomes the common denominator on multiple Super Bowl-winning teams, though, he certifies a legacy of creating championships. Becoming the first starting QB to win it all for two different franchises would almost certainly elevate Manning to the top of the totem pole.
Manning has won 178 games in his impressive career. Even with a loss, Manning will remain among the all-time greats. The case could still be made that he is the all-time great — Barry Sanders and Dan Marino managed to achieve football immortality without a Lombardi trophy. Legacy is evidently not an easy concept to define.
But its most important ingredient is undoubtedly Super Bowl victories. The result of one game can’t possibly take away all Manning has accomplished, can it? Maybe not, but it will certainly affect his ledger. As irrational as it seems, the Super Bowl is not just another game. To be the best football player you need to achieve the ultimate football objective. Though it may not be fair, only a Denver victory on Sunday will be enough to completely silence the critics.
Win this game and Manning suppresses the doubts, vanquishes past disappointments and likely earns the unanimous title of greatest quarterback to ever live. Lose this game, though, and he reinforces his “choker” label that threatens to taint his legacy. Either way, the stakes are high. Sunday, another chapter will be written in the incredible career of Peyton Manning. This is Manning’s team, Manning’s moment. The spotlight will glare brighter on him than on anyone else. Win or lose, Manning will bear responsibility.
How heavily these issues weigh on the mind of Manning himself, who knows? On Tuesday’s media day, Manning evaded questions about his legacy by claiming, “I’m not even 100 percent sure what the word even means.” To his credit, Manning is doing all he can to stay focused on the task at hand. But during all those lonely hours in the film room, the thought has to have crept into his mind: stars are remembered, above all, by championships, not by fame, box scores or cute commercials.
Nevertheless, the ultimate competitor is all business as soon as he steps onto the field. Manning probably won’t be thinking of his legacy as he’s staring into the teeth of the Seahawks’ defense Sunday. But I know I sure will be. Odds are, I won’t be alone.
Mike Firn ’16 is biased toward Brady, but still. Contact him at michael_firn@brown.edu.
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