NFL Superbowl XLIV: When It Comes To Media Scrutiny, Just Shake Hands

What do Bill Belichick, Lebron James, and Peyton Manning have in common? 

Beyond high aspirations and hall of fame futures, they also share a rather out of proportion media ding incurred against them over a simple matter—shaking hands.

Similar to Lebron James, Peyton Manning is a fairly well-liked player with a good reputation that lends itself to being a media personality that exposes him to us off the field more often than on. 

This persona paints an even greater bullseye on his back when the media has its opportunity to attack.

Following wide receiver Reggie Wayne’s dropped fourth-down pass in the endzone,  Manning strode to the sidelines with his hands on his hips and his helmet still strapped down tight.  He sat down to watch the video board replay before disappearing for the locker room in the waning seconds of the Saints' 31-17 win.

Manning’s frustration with the end result was evident after the game.  He used the word “disappointing” nearly 20 times in an eleven minute span.  During those postgame words he decried the Colts dropped throws, poor special teams, and struggles of a defense that had difficulty slowing Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

When asked how New Orleans was so successful in disrupting Indianapolis’ offensive flow, Manning stated, “I think I’d have a hard time saying that.  We stopped ourselves for the most part.”

Also in describing the failed slant to receiver Reggie Wayne Manning appeared reticent, telling that pro-bowl wideout Wayne, “said Porter squatted on the play.”  He continued, “I give Porter a lot of credit. It was a different formation than the plays before. That’s been a good play for us all year long.”

Although describing the decaying offensive flow as more self-imposed, Manning did allow that it was disrupted.

“We never got into a great rhythm,” Manning said. “There certainly were some lapses in our time of possession. It was strange after that.”

When it was over, Peyton Manning was already in the locker room, a move that he later attempted to explain, “I certainly know how it was three years ago when we won. There’s not much consolation for the guys who didn’t win. There’s the stage being set up and the celebration.  I certainly congratulate all their players and the Saints organization. I’ll speak to Drew and Sean. They deserve all the credit.”

His words were less taciturn than either Belichick or James, who took heavy media criticism for being "sore losers."  Yet one simple act opened the way for each phrase to be painted against Manning.

In hitting the showers early and not shaking hands, it becomes easy for the face of the NFL to become open to criticism.  Manning’s own words can easily be twisted against the quarterback to further the poor sportsman persona.

Describing his own team’s failings, it will be pointed out how a leader should take the blame on himself and try not to spread the wealth to the degree he did.  When telling that he would “have a hard time saying that” when referencing how New Orleans was effective against them, the door is opened to say that he failed to give proper credit, and downplay the Saints success.

It is not a matter of reality or intent, but perception.  For a man as intelligent and media-savvy as he is, Peyton Manning should have known better.  When it comes to disappointment, it doesn’t matter how you feel.  Just shake the winner’s hand and you take away ammunition for the media.