Monday, December 20, 2004
A Man(ning) of Integrity
Perhaps integrity and sportsmanship do still exist in professional sports. Eleven days ago, I wrote a beleaguered column about the current state of the Lakers and the NBA, saying I was just about ready to walk away altogether. Last night, I saw fifty-nine seconds of an NFL game that gave me the warm-and-fuzzies and it had nothing to do with Christmas.
With his team ahead by ten points and facing a first and goal situation, Peyton Manning was one completion away from tying Dan Marino for the most touchdowns in a single season. It was a home game, the Indianapolis fans in a joyous frenzy, a primetime contest nationally televised on ESPN, and a game played against a potential playoff foe, led by the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Like Michael Jordan at the freethrow line, Peyton Manning could have seized this perfect opportunity with his eyes closed.
Instead, he took a knee. In that moment, Peyton Manning had every chance to etch his name in the history books and end the countdown to his inevitable achievement of the record. Yet, again, he took a knee. Manning watched as the clock exhaled the game's last breath and after a hard fought victory, began the celebration, untempered by even an inkling of what might have been.
Such a clear case of class is rarely displayed in professional sports these days. Manning and Dungy renewed my respect and admiration for them yesterday by putting sportsmanship above showmanship. While the call to take a knee is also strategically wise, with a quarterback like Peyton the risk was minute. They both deserve credit for not chasing a record at the expense of disrespecting their opponent. As the seconds dripped away and players began walking off the field, Ray Lewis, the anchor of the Baltimore defense, approached Peyton Manning and the two exchanged words for several seconds. Given the situation and the smile on Lewis' face, one might assume he was expressing respect if not gratitude for Manning and Dungy taking the high road.
Fortunately for Peyton, he still has two more games to secure his name atop the single season touchdown list. His integrity will not force him to make himself into a martyr like Cal's Jeff Tedford whose team probably lost its place in the BCS because he chose not to run up the score of a game they had in their pocket. In the regular season's final two games, I'll be rooting for Peyton Manning above all other players and teams because his strength of character has vaulted him above the mire and placed him in an elite pantheon of sportsmen. Not to mention my fantasy team might be headed for the Super Bowl and Reggie Wayne is my top receiver.
For all the outrage and controversy stirred by the FCC, television networks, and countless conservative Christian organizations that have become the white noise of sports media, there was a bold exception of morality on display in Indianapolis Sunday night. I wish it would garner half the attention that a desperate housewife in a towel did, but I, of all people, know that negativity is always easier to talk about.
On that note, I'd like to contrast the principle of Peyton Manning's actions with the more common comments of Ravens' cornerback Gary Baxter. After being handed his defensive dignity on a platter by Peyton Manning, Gary had this to say:
"Basically everybody wanted him to get the record, they'd been showing it on TV all week, talking about 'Peyton Manning this, Peyton Manning that.' We're a great defense, we're a good team, and no one ever said anything about us."
As long as you have honor like that, Gary, no one ever will.
|
With his team ahead by ten points and facing a first and goal situation, Peyton Manning was one completion away from tying Dan Marino for the most touchdowns in a single season. It was a home game, the Indianapolis fans in a joyous frenzy, a primetime contest nationally televised on ESPN, and a game played against a potential playoff foe, led by the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Like Michael Jordan at the freethrow line, Peyton Manning could have seized this perfect opportunity with his eyes closed.
Instead, he took a knee. In that moment, Peyton Manning had every chance to etch his name in the history books and end the countdown to his inevitable achievement of the record. Yet, again, he took a knee. Manning watched as the clock exhaled the game's last breath and after a hard fought victory, began the celebration, untempered by even an inkling of what might have been.
Such a clear case of class is rarely displayed in professional sports these days. Manning and Dungy renewed my respect and admiration for them yesterday by putting sportsmanship above showmanship. While the call to take a knee is also strategically wise, with a quarterback like Peyton the risk was minute. They both deserve credit for not chasing a record at the expense of disrespecting their opponent. As the seconds dripped away and players began walking off the field, Ray Lewis, the anchor of the Baltimore defense, approached Peyton Manning and the two exchanged words for several seconds. Given the situation and the smile on Lewis' face, one might assume he was expressing respect if not gratitude for Manning and Dungy taking the high road.
Fortunately for Peyton, he still has two more games to secure his name atop the single season touchdown list. His integrity will not force him to make himself into a martyr like Cal's Jeff Tedford whose team probably lost its place in the BCS because he chose not to run up the score of a game they had in their pocket. In the regular season's final two games, I'll be rooting for Peyton Manning above all other players and teams because his strength of character has vaulted him above the mire and placed him in an elite pantheon of sportsmen. Not to mention my fantasy team might be headed for the Super Bowl and Reggie Wayne is my top receiver.
For all the outrage and controversy stirred by the FCC, television networks, and countless conservative Christian organizations that have become the white noise of sports media, there was a bold exception of morality on display in Indianapolis Sunday night. I wish it would garner half the attention that a desperate housewife in a towel did, but I, of all people, know that negativity is always easier to talk about.
On that note, I'd like to contrast the principle of Peyton Manning's actions with the more common comments of Ravens' cornerback Gary Baxter. After being handed his defensive dignity on a platter by Peyton Manning, Gary had this to say:
"Basically everybody wanted him to get the record, they'd been showing it on TV all week, talking about 'Peyton Manning this, Peyton Manning that.' We're a great defense, we're a good team, and no one ever said anything about us."
As long as you have honor like that, Gary, no one ever will.
# posted by j.h.k. @ 6:00 PM 
