A Poetic Adieu to Mr. Peyton Manning
Photo By: Bradjward
Note: The following is rough around the edges, event sensitive poetic prose from a sometimes disgruntled, wary, yet somehow appreciative fan bidding adieu to Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning. If you’re interested in reading something more mainstream in format, click here for an article I wrote last year.
To Peyton Manning:
Draft Day in 1998 provided every Colts fan with hope of what could be
A goofy yet capable drop back quarterback of NFL pedigree
You were chosen to be the savior of a forlorn franchise
Selected to lead us back to the Glory Days of Johnny U
Though you initially stumbled out of the gates
Your own trot you did find
Proving skeptics wrong and making believers beam
You sir made Indy a contender in this league
Statistically gifted and without reproach
Your infallibility on the field was never in question…during the regular season
But whether it was youth, a drunken kicker, or inevitability
There was reason to doubt your ability to deliver a Lombardi
As your loyalists stood fast in their belief of the Endsieg
I was overcome with buyer’s remorse
How could I remain committed to warrior who slumped in the face of adversity
Someone who had only questions and confusion when facing a 3-4
Yes I was the 1%
The percent that was not blinded by the light or that followed the pipe
You might have been the Commander-in-Chief
But I knew that circumstance, not talent would determine who won the fight
Finally after eight seasons of disappointment destiny revealed herself
She came in the form of a marauding defense, the clutchness of a kicker’s leg
The sweltering/exhausting luck of playing on your own dome covered pasture
Given you were, the opportunity to exercise the demons of your own making
The 41st contest of its kind was a soggy, lackluster affair
You were the prototypical manager of the game
Doing only what was needed to defeat an offensively challenged opponent
For this they crowned you MVP and Indy Champions of the World
While the masses erupted with elation
And media proclaimed you as one of the best that ever was
It was a feeling relief that consumed me
Relief that your torturous reign was finally at an end
The years thereafter slowly dwindled my resolute distrust of your leadership
Unencumbered by the weight of expectations
Secure in the knowledge that victory had already been achieved
You played the position of quarterback a confidence not yet seen
True you never once held that shiny metallic oblong prize in your hand again
But for the first time in your career it was not you who had failed
It was those in suit and ties who placed the shackles on your greatness
Hindering you with ineptness inside and outside the lines
Yet never once did you complain
Or voice the displeasure of spoiled child
Even as the world you had largely created began to crumble from within
You continued to display a fortitude to win that had always been there
And while this fan has been the most critical of your career
I’ve never questioned your unflinching desire to achieve ultimate victory
It is the greatest of your assets that wear proudly on your face
Showing the world your emotion that is all too human
Upon your departure we were all witness to your dedication and attachment
A commitment to the building of excellence that a young Elway wanted none of
Your decade plus of service made greatness possible to a beleaguered franchise
Doing so has earned you a place in a Hall located in Canton
So I say adieu to you Mr. Manning
Though I’ll never forget the hardships you put me through
I will never dismiss how fortunate we fans were to have you
Best wishes and may you return once again to lead us from outside the lines
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Well well, what is it that you can’t do? Cook, drink
, write prose and now poetry too!
Awesome man… It’s sad that Peyton couldn’t finish his career as a Colt, but I truly hope he goes to a team where he has a chance at one more title. He’s one of the all-time greats at his position.
Well, he’s at least an All-Time great during the regular season.
I’m just glad you didn’t make me hungry before I’m outta work today!
Solid poem though. Nice little Vanderjact reference in there!
That bum Vanderjagt can never be forgotten for Colt fans. He was less clutch than Manning!
Well, this was something. Poetry to mark the end of the Manning Era in Indy — and it wasn’t even a limerick. Well done, Jed, and I hope this marks the beginning of a big things for you Colts fans. (kinda)
I have to say that I feel better about my Colts rebuilding than I do about your Bears sticking with the same head coach.
But at least you guys got rid of Mike Martz.
I dunno. There’s a lot to be said for loyalty on the part of a player. It’s so rare these days. Very sad that money drives that on both sides (player and owner) more than loyalty itself. I hope he handles his post-Indy future better than Favre did post-Packers.
I think Peyton, as he seems less egotistically than Favre.
LOL…a nice tribute despite your mixed feelings! Hoping our Colts will turn around after the massive shuffle of cast and characters. Have a great weekend~
Go Horse!
Great poetry!
I know that Peyton Manning fans will be praying that Manning isn’t the next Johnny Unitas, who stunk it up in San Diego.
As long as Peyton is healthy there won’t be a repeat of Johnny U. Also, if i recall correctly, Unitas was 41 when he went to SD.
[...] A Poetic Adieu to Mr. Peyton Manning [...]
This is fresh and different, good job!
[...] far as other sports post from 2012, Jed’s “A Poetic Adieu to Mr. Peyton Manning” and his recent insightful article on the PGA’s Dissolution of Q-School are both must reads in my [...]