Ultimate Manning Face: Peyton Manning Really Wanted the Game Ball on Sunday

The Manning Face: Now with more evil.

Peyton Manning had plenty of reasons to smile after defeating the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

His reaction, however, was the opposite of smiling—as you can see from a terrifying photo tweeted by the Broncos official Twitter account after the game:

The image was spotted by Chris Chase of For The Win, who noticed Manning staring malevolently in the background as interim head coach Jack Del Rio presented Broncos owner Pat Bowlen with the game ball.

The win over the Chargers was Bowlen’s 300th victory as team owner, and he accepted the ball graciously.

Manning, on the other hand, stood nearby sporting what may be the most amazing Manning Face in sports history. This is the face of a man who would go to terrifying lengths to walk home with that game ball.

Nobody takes Manning’s precious. Not after four touchdowns.

The reality is that Manning was likely just grimacing through the ceremony. The Broncos quarterback’s right leg had taken a hurting courtesy of Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget, who dove at Manning’s legs late in the game.

Many viewed the hit as a late, desperation shot on the part of Liuget. After grimacing on the ground, Manning limped over to the refs and complained about the shot.

Around the Horn pundit and The Denver Post columnist Woody Paige wrote in a recent column that Liuget should receive a hefty fine from the league for the hit.

“Don’t ever take a knife to Mona Lisa’s face, a hammer to David’s chest or a helmet to Peyton’s legs,” Paige wrote. “Don’t take a cheap shot at a work of art.”

While I agree with Paige’s assessment, I’d like to take it even further and assert that the Manning Face is a work of art.

As an additional caveat, NFL defenders, don’t injure Peyton’s legs or face. Eli grimaces are good, but nobody cooks up the struggle-zeal quite like Peyton.

‘Le Manning Face’ by Banksy would sell for millions at Sotheby’s.

Follow @Dr__Carson