Conference Championship Sunday had a bit of everything, as Seattle ended the 49ers season and the Broncos ousted the perennially powerful Patriots.
Another chapter was written in what will become a legendary battle between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. And of course the new guard went to war in Starbucks City as Colin Kaepernick brought his Niners to war against the home of the self-dubbed 12th man, Seattle Seahawks. While the prospects of fantastic battles were certainly hoped for, fans were left with a bitter taste in at least one of the two match-ups.
Almost every Superbowl in recent memory, I found someone to cheer for, even if the team I personally follow was not one of them. This year I struggle with who to lend support to. On one hand there is a player who for many reasons I just can’t seem to find a reason to like, despite him being one of the greatest passers the game has seen – Peyton Mannin. And on the other a coach who from his days at USC I have only found reason to dislike, and his star shutdown corner, Richard Sherman, who has done little to befriend fans outside of Washington State.
Is this the Superbowl that fans other than those of the two playing in the game cheer for the team/players they dislike less?
Fans have disliked Peyton Manning since his early days in Indianapolis. Of course many will cite that they dislike him and I imagine they don’t even have a valid reason why, leaving me to believe it is due to his unbelievable on-field success. No one can take that away from this first ballot Hall of Famer. But for me it started not with his success, but with the attitude and manner in which he carried himself early in his career.
I can remember many instances from his time as a Colt, of Peyton shifting blame from himself to his own teammates. Very publicly, he pointed fingers toward his receivers who ran wrong routes, or to offensive linemen who missed blocks, sometimes throwing his hands in the air and shaking his head. Yes, he is a very competitive guy and sometimes emotions get the best of us, but leaders are supposed to be immune to losing their cool, no? And then of course was the feud Vanderjagt. While there are many videos I could have included to best highlight my point, try this:
Peyton is not the same guy he was in Indy, admittedly. That said, perhaps the way he conducted himself there tarnished his image for me (and many others) to the point that we can’t come to changing our opinion.
Or perhaps he just too damn good.
To say people dislike Pete Carroll is a massive understatement. For me, I didn’t dislike (or like) him before his days at USC or even during his tenure there. The problem many have with him is the manner in which he vacated his position with the Trojans. Basically, he jumped ship just before that ship was sunk with NCAA-imposed sanctions, all but destroying the team for the immediate future.
While leaving his program as it was all but flattened was certainly enough to warrant some hate, there is also the sideline antics that people don’t appreciate. To say he jumps and down like a 12-year-old on pixie sticks is downplaying the reality. Who can forget his “performance” when officials gave the screwball to the Packers in the game against Seattle last season? You remember – the “hail mary”? In case you forgot, here is a taste of Pete Carroll, professional coach in the NFL:
Is there anyone who likes Richard Sherman who does not consider themselves part of the 12th Man? Thought not. There is no reason other than his insanely big ego. His outspoken manner in which he conducts himself brings a new level of egomaniac to the NFL. When he shot out against the best cover corner (at the time?) in Darelle Revis, it was enough to have most NFL fans completely baffled by the level of pomp exhibited by the former 154th pick.
The final straw was his antics in yesterday’s NFC Conference Championships. He made an excellent play on Michael Crabtree, which lead to the interception in the end zone, but it was what he did and said after that has everyone justifiably upset. Not only did he go after Crabtree well after the play to rub salt, but did you catch his post game comments? If not, watch below:
I am not a big fan of Manning, Carroll or Sherman. But for me and I suspect many other fans, we make our decisions for who to root for using oftentimes personal reasons. I greatly disliked the way Seattle conducted themselves yesterday. Not the whole team, just a few players. I appreciate the wonderful fans of Seattle, but I don’t base my decisions on the fans, rather the team. Peyton Manning has not given me reason in recent memory not to cheer for them, though Seattle has – in fact they did just yesterday.
You now have my reasons for choosing to cheer for Denver in the Superbowl. I wonder, how do you choose which team to support when your own is not in the big game? Do you root for the underdog? Do you enjoy seeing dynasties-in-the-making? Do you have distaste for anyone in particular in the game? Is that dislike enough for you cheer against them?
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