Every year it seems the Superbowl becomes more and more of a spectacle – and with this year’s game being the 50th iteration, I have no reason to doubt the hype will be at an all-time high.
Superbowl 50 is being held in one of the newest stadiums in the NFL, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., the home of the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers won’t be playing for the Superbowl this year, but two of the most intriguing teams this season will be.
On one side we have the NFL’s resident Superman, Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. On the other, we have the man who has seemingly defied time itself, 39-year-old Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.
Although it has not been officially announced, this may be Manning’s final NFL game after an amazing 18-year career. If this does happen to be it, I hope he goes out on top with another Superbowl win.
Manning has set his fair share of records in the NFL, including career touchdown passes (539), career passing yards (71,940), career wins (186) and as a five-time NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2013). Even in the postseason Manning has amassed records and honours such as Superbowl MVP in 2007, and leading two different teams to a Superbowl on multiple occasions.
Although it took Manning close to a decade to lead the Indianapolis Colts to the big game, they did not let the opportunity pass them by. In 2007 the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears in Superbowl XLI (41) by a score of 29-17. Manning was named Superbowl MVP and gave the Colts franchise its first championship since relocating from Baltimore in 1984.
Three years later, Manning and the Colts were back in the Superbowl game playing against the New Orleans Saints in Superbowl XLIV (44). After his release from the Colts in 2012, Manning signed with the Broncos and the team made an immediate impact in the league.
Manning led the Broncos to the Superbowl in 2014 (Superbowl XLVIII). Unfortunately for Manning, he did not enjoy as much success in these championship games as he did in his first, and was unable to secure a second Superbowl ring.
This season has been an enigma for Manning – his play has obviously diminished, he struggles to throw the ball down field and his accuracy has taken a hit from what it once was. Manning was even benched for a portion of the season while he nursed a heel injury. But if Superbowl 50 on Feb. 7 is the final time we get to see Manning on an NFL field, I hope we see him win another championship so he can ride off into the sunset as the best in the world – a title the future hall of famer obviously deserves.
