Super Bowl XLIV Did Not Define Peyton Manning's NFL Legacy

There was a vast multitude of storylines heading into the clash that was Super Bowl XLIV.

You had the once hapless New Orleans Saints playing in the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl.

There were the Saints playing for the city after Hurricane Katrina dismantled the city last decade.

There were the Colts trying to win it all after purposely giving up on a perfect season with only two regular season games remaining.

And then you had Peyton Manning, an Indianapolis icon who was born and raised in Louisiana.

But of all the topics talked about and dissected after the underdog Saints won their first title, a major point of conversation was the legacy of Manning and how it was impacted by last night’s performance.

And to all those who have said Manning can no longer go down as the greatest quarterback to ever wear an NFL uniform: You are dead wrong.

I say this not only because I am a self-professed Colts follower, but it goes with the issue of fairness. I understand that Manning threw the interception which resulted in a “pick six” by Tracy Porter, and it was a moment which has been replayed over and over again, but Manning can not be blamed completely for that mistake, as Reggie Wayne seemed to come up short on the route.

And I am fully aware of Manning’s dismal .500 record in his postseason career, a mark which is mildly embarrassing when compared to other QBs like Joe Montana, Tom Brady, and Troy Aikman.

But all of that is beside the point, though.

With all of his intangibles, intelligence, and statistics, Manning should already be considered the greatest regular-season quarterback in league history. He will surpass Brett Favre’s big numbers (except for interceptions).

And even though he will forever be blamed most for losing the Colts’ run at their third Super Bowl victory—and their second in four years—his career is not ending tomorrow.

Think about it: Manning is only 33, where as Favre played this past season at the age of 40 and still may return next season. Besides having knee surgery before the 2008 season, Peyton has been as durable a quarterback as anybody in the last few decades. He may potentially break Favre’s streak of consecutive games played as well. He just doesn’t get hurt.

And since Manning will most likely be attempting to play until he can’t play anymore, as well as break every record in the book, he still has the potential to win more Super Bowls.

Nobody said it was easy to win every Super Bowl, and players like Montana, Aikman, and Terry Bradshaw are an aberration and not true equivalents. I say this because defensive players and schemes have become as sophisticated as ever and Manning’s numbers are still quite magnificent.

And when one talks about the player most important to his team, Peyton is the first player that comes to mind.

The Colts would be nothing without Manning running the show, and they would not have won the most games of any team in the last decade without him. One play should never define a career, as the entire body of work should be put on display.

In Manning’s case, his career resume will speak for itself when he retires years from today.