Well, football season is officially over. I’ll wait a few seconds to let that sink in…awful feeling isn’t it? Well it ended on a good note, in my opinion. That Super Bowl was fun to watch. I don’t really see how anyone can hate on Peyton Manning or Drew Brees and I think that is what made this a fun game to watch. Colts fans would probably argue that point but it is what it is. It was cool to see a team that had never been in the Super Bowl win the whole thing. It gives hope to the other franchises that have never had the chance to participate in the big game. The problem I have today is reading all these stories of how wrong it was for Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne to leave the field without shaking hands. GASP! Who cares? They just lost one of the biggest games of their career, I think they have the right to retreat to the locker without hesitation. Peyton Manning came out today saying that it wasn’t a disrespect thing but more of a respect thing.
“I certainly know how it was three years ago when we won . . . ” Manning said. “There’s the stage being set up, and the celebration, and it’s time for the Saints to celebrate. It’s their field. They deserve the moment.”
Sounds like he was just giving them the spot light and did not want to infringe on their moment. Sounds like a stand up move to me rather than him being unsportsmanlike and a sore loser. Manning said he would be getting in contact with Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton soon.
“But I certainly congratulate all their players and the Saints organization. I will speak to Drew Brees, speak to Sean Payton, and they deserve all the credit.”
This seems like a legit reason for leaving the field. I honestly think he was giving them their moment and nothing else. A lot of people bashed LeBron James last year when he left the court against the Magic in the playoffs without shaking hands. I think that situation is a lot different than what we have here. LeBron James did leave because he was pissed off and the media jumped on him for it. In the end, why can’t an athlete leave without shaking hands? Is it a respect thing? I was happy to see LeBron pissed off and leaving without shaking hands. When athletes do this it shows us fans that they still have the passion for the game. They still care and get fired up. Besides, when was the last time you wanted to shake hands with someone that just rubbed your face in the dirt? We are quick to say it’s wrong, but 9 times out of 10 we would do the same exact thing.
Quote Source: LA Times
