It’s hard to define and almost impossible to imitate, but Peyton Manning seems to be working pure magic on the football field this year. It’s highly unlikely that a 37-year-old with dozens of playing years under his belt along with significant toll on his body could produce the kind of numbers he’s posting this season. The man now wearing a Denver Broncos football jersey is leading his team to the Super Bowl once again and it only takes one more win to ensure that happens. Manning is playing at the highest level of his entire career, and he is doing so with a neck that has been surgically repaired and weak ankles that sprain easily and repeatedly. What is his secret?
Man has an indefatigable will for one thing. It’s like the Energizer bunny that goes on and on and on. The Indianapolis Colts for whom Peyton played fourteen seasons during which they went to the playoffs every year and the Super Bowl twice must be collectively shaking their heads. To be fair, it was a tough decision they had to make to get him released. Money was a big part of the equation. After all, we’re talking four times MVP and that means a lot of money. Then there was the neck injury that prevented Manning from performing during the 2011 season. Prior to this, Peyton had never stopped playing in an NFL game.
Whatever Manning seems to lack due to an aging and worn-out body, he seems to be able to make up for with a brilliant football mind. His anticipation of what a defense is going to do is second to none. It’s almost strange how he’s able to read the next play that comes his way. His work ethic is legend. He takes the time to help his teammates improve their positions and learn to read plays. He leads a team that produced the third-highest points in NFL history in Week 11 of the season. How did this happen?
Once again, the man leading this team is a machine. A machine that thoroughly understands the game that he likes so much. His discipline has been described as robotic and his willingness to play at the highest level is second to none.
It’s hard not to admire such traits, especially when paired with an overwhelming humility that belies his success. No wonder Indianapolis fans were so heartbroken when their idol was released. His loss is Denver’s gain, and Colorado fans love what their new quarterback is doing. So are the millions of Manning fans across the country, even if they reside in other states. Magic, after all, is a rare commodity.