NFL Media Day: Peyton Manning responds to “legacy” talk surrounding him

Jan 28, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is interviewed during Media Day for Super Bowl XLIII at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl Media Day is one of the most overblown spectacles of the Super Bowl experience. Reporters are free to ask the available players anything about retirement, regular season, off-season, and anything about the venue that they are about to play in; those were just for example. But one question that always keeps coming up is the looming legacy talk surrounding Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning is perhaps one the best all-time regular season quarterbacks but critics will always say the quarterback can’t get the job done in the postseason.

Here is what Peyton Manning said in response to the legacy question earlier today thanks to SeattleTimes.com

"“I’ve been asked about my legacy since I was 25 years old,” Manning said. “I’m not sure you can have a legacy when you are 25 years old, or even 37. I thought you had to be 70 to have a legacy. I’m not 100 percent sure what the word even means. I’m down the homestretch of my career, but I’m still in it. It’s not over yet. It’s still playing out.”"

Peyton Manning is currently 11-11 in the postseason with a chance to get win number 12 with a win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 48. The quarterback however doesn’t get enough credit, and is constantly slammed for his barely .500 record. If you want proof that he is a good if not great quarterback even in the postseason, take a look at these stats on FootballOutsiders.com. (Photo Credit to https://twitter.com/FO_ScottKacsmar)

Peyton Manning’s name popped up three times in the top 10 at (4), (7) & (8). Manning’s best performance came in the 2004 AFC Wild Card Game against none other than his current team: the Denver Broncos. He would end up leading the Indianapolis Colts to a 41-10 victory while completing 22-of-26 pass attempts for 377 yards and 5 touchdown passes. The very next year, Manning would face the Broncos yet again in the AFC Wild Card Game and completed 26-of-39 passes for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Manning is also 1-1 in  the Super Bowl and has played particularly well. Against the Bears in 2006, Indianapolis came away with the trophy as Peyton completed 25-of-38 passes for 247 yards, including a touchdown and an interception. Against the Saints however in 2009, Manning passed the ball well completing 31-of-45 passes for 333 yards and a touchdown and a pick; which proved costly. On a 3rd-and-5 play down 24-17 with just 3:24 remaining, Peyton Manning dropped back to pass intended for Reggie Wayne was picked off by former Bronco Tracy Porter to seal the 31-17 Saints victory.

Manning has all the talent in the world at the quarterback position and constantly gets ridiculed by critics. Whether he wins or loses at Super Bowl 48, his legacy will not be affected, another Super Bowl win however would put the cherry on top of an extraordinary career that he looks to continue next season.