We Hope He Loses Too

Sean Gregory has a piece in the current issue of Time and I couldn't agree with him more. Yes indeed, we hope Peyton Manning loses. Don't want to see him get hurt, of course. He's such a sweet lad, every mother's dream of a son. A few sacks on Sunday, though, would be grand. Somehow it would be appropriate for Tank Johnson of legal trouble fame to come through the line and lay little Peyton on his arse. Sports writers could wax prolific on the irony, the symbolism, the good vs. evil and all that.

He's been tapped for commercials, playing himself, the charming Southern boy, polite and mannerly and a bit of an imp. Considering how often the adverts run, Peyton must be raking in cash by the bushel basket full. He doesn't need the bonus that would fall to him as a Super Bowl winner.

In the article, Mr. Gregory resurrects an old story about Peyton's brother Eli, who finagled around when it was time to get drafted, all to avoid getting picked up by a losing team. Water under the bridge, sure. Eli Manning's with the Giants who went nowhere, and the San Diego Chargers who got the short end of the stick must take some consolation from that. They had a good year, far better than New York's, and isn't that one of God's blessings? Things worked out better in the end, so why hold a grudge? It was a favor done, and Chargers fans should be sending a note of thanks instead of grumbling about past misdeeds.

Gregory suggests that Peyton Manning will be ever so perfect if he were to lose the game on Sunday. After all, the man's got a certain persona that would only be enhanced if he could add 'lovable loser' to his portfolio. I'm all for it, anything to help Mr. Manning earn more money and save up for the day when he's too old to play football. That day will come, when he'll have to retire because his body can't take the pounding anymore. Who would begrudge him every penny he can earn now, while he's young and fit?

Go out there on Sunday, Peyton, and show us just how human you are. Throw up an interception, make a bone-headed play that reflects the foibles of the average man. Sure and they'll love you for it, for making people feel that you truly are just like them, except for the fact that you're a star athlete. We're all behind you, one hundred percent, as you stumble through the game, Brian Urlacher and Hunter Hillenmeyer in your face.

Be human, Peyton. Be very human.

Let's Go Bears.