CIMPLE – A Curious Introvert's Musings & Photos about Life and Enjoyment

Leading up to Sunday night’s NFL match-up between the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions, there was plenty of sports talk about witnessing the final days of Peyton Manning’s career and questioning his ability to lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl this year.  For those of us who put on our Manning jerseys (there were thousands) and made the trek to Ford Field to watch the future hall of fame quarterback, the night was about Manning and the love of the game.  As soon as #18 made his way onto the field for warm-ups with his familiar trot, all thoughts of Super Bowls, records, neck surgeries, numb fingertips and establishing a running game (that one may still be bothering me) were lost in the excitement of watching a player and game you love.  The last time we had a chance to see Manning play at Ford Field was the 2004 Thanksgiving game, in which his Indianapolis Colts defeated the Lions 41-9 and Manning had 6 touchdown passes to Marvin Harrison and Brandon Stokley and a record-breaking season on his way to the NFL MVP.  On this recent Sunday evening, Manning had 2 touchdown passes to Demaryius Thomas and Owen Daniels and great support by the defense to move on to a 3-0 start. (http://www.denverbroncos.com/multimedia/videos/Broncos-Newsreel-Denver-beat-Detroit/bd0e4deb-ec6d-4499-918a-c251141149a0)  While Manning’s stats this year may not be matching his MVP seasons, as a fan of Manning and the game, the excitement and enjoyment watching Manning throw the ball has remained unchanged over the years.  Seeing Manning in the shotgun, dropping back to pass and throwing the ball down the field for unbelievable catches by Emmanuel Sanders, Thomas and Daniels, and having the good fortune of seeing those touchdowns scored in our corner of the end zone, made for an unforgettable night celebrating Manning and the great game of football (my husband, a Lions fan, may not have been celebrating as much as me).  Sitting in the stands with complete joy watching Manning during the warm-ups and throughout the game brought back a lifetime of wonderful football memories.  As a fan, every time Manning goes back to throw a pass you are hoping for a great play or touchdown, but on this evening the wonderful memories of a hall of fame career were present with every throw.  Football has been an enjoyable part of my life for as long as I can remember and while there have been many quarterbacks over the years I have followed, in addition to Manning, (Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, and Tony Romo) it sometimes feels like while my love of the game will always remain, I don’t know if there will be another jersey added to the collection after Manning’s retirement.  In honor of #18 Peyton Manning’s brilliant career (http://www.nfl.com/player/peytonmanning/2501863/profile) and taking all of his bumps and bruises for the love of the game onto the field for his eighteenth year, following are eighteen football memories of enjoyment:

1. Childhood memories of family battles over electric football and football games in the backyard.
2. As a child, wondering why the family suffered through Lions games when it was much more enjoyable watching the Steelers and Cowboys.
3. Saving up your childhood allowance for your first football jersey (Bob Griese).
4. Watching Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins.
5. Watching Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.
6. Watching Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.
7. Watching Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys.
8. Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Games.
9. Playing catch at tailgating parties.
10. Playing catch after a few years of not throwing and having shoulder pain for a few days.
11. Spending Sundays from September to December watching NFL Sunday Ticket.
12. Betting with your heart instead of your head and losing consistently in family pools and fantasy football.
13. Watching Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon on ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption every weeknight at 5:30 for sports highlights.
14. Watching Terry Bradshaw on Fox NFL Sunday.
15. Watching ESPN’s Chris Berman and Tom Jackson.
16. Building a football jersey collection over the years.
17. Building a football jersey collection over the years for Gabby.
18. Watching your two all-time favorite players, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning, play against the Detroit Lions.