NFL: For the Sake of the Indianapolis Colts, Get Peyton Manning a New Contract

As game time approaches for Super Bowl XLV, here are some of my thoughts. 

One, from a football standpoint, I feel like I have seen it all. 

Two, I am amazed at my indifference and three—if Bill O’Reilly interviews President Barack Obama as advertised, my television will be turned off. 

To expand on the indifference briefly, in reality, I don't care who wins this Super Bowl.  If anything, I may root for Aaron Rodgers, just so he can have as many Super Bowl rings as Brett Favre.

Aside from those thoughts, I have one greater than all of the above, and it concerns someone who isn't even playing in the big game today—Peyton Manning.

I take you back to 1997. 

The Indianapolis Colts finished at 3-13.  Coincidentally, one of their three victories that season was against the defending Super Bowl champion green Bay Packers. They had the first pick in the 1998 draft and chose Manning out of Tennessee.

Thirteen seasons later, Colts owner Jim Irsay seems committed to do whatever it takes to keep Manning in Indianapolis. 

This is not to say that I am a Manning basher.  He worked harder this season than he has ever worked.  It seems his skills have not diminished, but as is the case with even great athletes like Manning, they eventually will.

It seems the sensible solution is to offer Manning some sort of lifetime contract.  Unlike a lot of great players—recently fired Mike Singletary comes to mind—Manning is a natural teacher.  And when his heir apparent eventually does comes along, Manning will be an invaluable teacher to him and his receivers, much like Joe Montana was when the San Francisco 49ers picked up Steve Young. 

When the career of another Indiana superstar—Reggie Miller—was winding down, he was not paid the money he may have deserved.  As a result, the once highly competitive Indiana Pacers were ruined for a decade.

I write this article as one of the million or so people who will be paying for Lucas Oil Stadium and the Conseco Fieldhouse for the rest of my time in Indianapolis, so I hope the Colts do not collapse like the Pacers.