Super Bowl Sunday is here.
So first let me start with a question, why isn’t Monday a national holiday?
Now, let me rub in the fact that, yes, I am off this Monday, so for the rest of you fine readers, I do apologize for the inconvenience of having to go to work the day after staying up late and drinking a fair number of … sodas.
This is a great day and today’s game is the tale of really two quarterbacks on different paths.
Carolina’s Cam Newton is just getting started and Denver’s Peyton Manning is probably suiting up for the final time.
This week has been all about these two gentlemen.
Newton is polarizing. He dances too much for some people, and for others, they love his energy and enthusiasm.
I stand on the side of Newton being great for the NFL. If a team doesn’t want him to dance and celebrate, then stop him. It is as simple as that.
The biggest part to remember about Newton is the fact his teammates and coaches love him. He doesn’t draw 15-yard penalties for his actions. He doesn’t do his dance in the face of opponents.
He is just having a good time and is enjoying playing the game of football. There are far bigger things in the NFL to worry about other than if Newton is showboating.
Now, let’s discuss Manning because he is the real subject of this column.
Where does Manning fit in the discussion of the all-time greatest quarterbacks to ever lace up some cleats?
This question seems to follow Manning everywhere he goes.
Is he better than Brady? Does Manning belong with Joe Montana and John Elway?
The answer is quite simply, yes.
Manning is great. He is an all-time great no matter the outcome of today’s game. Yes, this year has been a terrible season in Manning’s terms.
This does not diminish what has been one of the greatest careers in NFL history. Manning does not hold as many Super Bowl and playoff victories like Brady and Montana and never will.
He does have limitations and those always seem to come up in the biggest spots. Nobody can forget the thrashing the Seattle Seahawks gave to the Broncos two Super Bowls ago.
If today is the final time Manning plays the game of football, then football is the real loser. We will lose one of the game’s absolute best players.
It will be up to the next generation of quarterbacks like Newton and Russell Wilson to carry the torch. Will Manning ride out with a second Lombardi Trophy under his name? Let’s find out together as we watch today’s Super Bowl 50.
Celebrate the new and the old and the past and the present. Just do not dance in a friend’s face every time Newton dabs. That is very impolite.
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Gabriel Pruett can be reached at 721-2436 or gabe.pruett@panews.com. On Twitter: @PaNewsGabe.