Everybody Deserves A Highlight Reel

Sometimes they’re so hard to find, especially when it’s something so important and so meaningful. You want to find the right ones.

Words.

Today Peyton Manning had the right ones and sometimes that’s all it takes … the right words. Sometimes you don’t even have to do anything to prove your point. Sometimes the words have so much substance that they hit your gut and people listening to you feel what you feel.

Genuine. Heartfelt. Love. Happiness.

As a writer these are the emotions that I hope people feel when they read my stuff. But as I heard Peyton talking, he was speaking to millions of people but I think what he really wanted to do was to connect with the players, coaches, family, friends and fans that supported him.  He wanted to express gratitude for the opportunity given to him, to the places that said, yeah I’ll take a chance on you, and to the people who said, yeah  I believe in you.

And they wanted to pay tribute to him and his extraordinary career. I saw one of my favorite football players of all time retire today. Peyton Manning stood at the podium and delivered one of the best speeches I’ve heard.

 

Courtesy of Amber Matsumoto

“There’s a saying that goes, treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be and he will become what he should be.”  –Peyton Manning

“When someone thoroughly exhausts an experience they can’t help but revere it. I revere football. I love the game. So you don’t have to wonder if I’ll miss it. Absolutely. Absolutely I will.” — Peyton Manning

“There’s a scripture reading, 2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight and I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.

Well, I’ve fought the good fight. I’ve finished my football race and after 18 years, it’s time. God bless you all and God bless football.” — Peyton Manning

After hearing his speech I picked up on a few good nuggets that struck a chord, but the thing that really stood out was that he said he’d missed the little things the most. The huddles. The handshakes. The steak dinners. The plane ride home with his teammates celebrating. Figuring out blitzes. Putting in a play. Talking football with broadcast crews. Handshakes on the filed after the game. So many little things that added up to this amazing highlight reel of football life.

And then that’s when it hit me… Everybody should have a highlight reel. Everybody deserves to know that all the parts of their life, big and small, mattered not just to them but to the people who love them.

I realized my son and daughter don’t have highlight reels. We’ve got plenty of pictures that capture the most awesomely amazing moments, but no highlight reels yet.

So as Peyton retires he inspires. I start a new chapter in parenthood and I’m on a mission to  share their yearly Guat Adventures through highlight reel films. I’m not a computer genius, so this may take a while and you’re gonna have to wish me luck. But the words … the words I’ve got covered.

Hope you guys have your own highlight reels.

 

 

 

 

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OMAHA! OMAHA!

There’s the Blind Side and then there’s the We-Didn’t-Think-You’d-Be-Here-You’re-Too-Old side.

I loved the Sandra Bullock movie and thought it was a great story, Oscar-worthy for sure. I liked that Michael Oher made something of himself, I liked that he didn’t give up, I liked that he made it … he made it! He’s also got that Cam player that everybody’s talking about, the new stuff that’s rising, that’s ready to be front page news.

But then there’s Peyton … my favorite player. The one I’ve been watching since Indianapolis.

Peyton Manning

Everybody had written him off by mid-season, he had been replaced, and then the HGH allegations tried to discredit. It’s been a mess. They’ve tried to put him down, but he still stands, he still shows them he’s worth it. And I’m hoping his defense and line show up too.

They’re both underdogs, I guess. But I’m rooting for Peyton. I’m rooting for the 39-year-old that people think is too old.

I’m hoping for it … fingers crossed, ‘Believe’ sign written and blue and orange, and rally hat on.

Big Day for underdogs tomorrow. Nachos, hot dogs and carne asada coming out. All that will be missing is Dad, but I’ve got one of his hats to keep me company.

We’ll be waiting to hear the … OMAHA! OMAHA! and hope it comes back to Denver with a nice trophy.

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Don’t Worry About Whose Got Next, I’ve Got Now

Whenever anyone talks about a 39-year-old guy, they don’t really refer to him as old, unless the person you’re talking to is a teenager, who incidentally thinks anyone over 25 is old.

Yup.

39 is the new 29, you’re “still young,” unless you’re Peyton Manning.

After getting off to a slow start and throwing an interception, which was returned for a Kansas City touchdown, commentators, analysts, sports journalists and fans alike began their “I don’t know what he’s doing here, he should have already be retired…he ain’t got it anymore, he’s too old to be out there …” speeches. Apparently his demise was already here and Kansas City was there to witness it. They had his AARP card ready to go.

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A Kansas City Chiefs fan holds a sign about Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning during the first half … (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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But a lot can happen in nine seconds.

A lot.

Even when you are 39.

And especially if you’re name is Peyton Manning.

Despite the doubt and rampant disbelief in his ability to be awesome, I heard it. OMAHA! OMAHA! HUT! HUT!

I saw it.

I bared witness to what I always believed and others doubted.

A comeback.

With everyone in the stadium doubting his ability and skill, Peyton set the record straight. The Broncos set the record straight, with two touchdowns in nine seconds. Yeah … they sent that AARP card back.

You see while everyone was scrutinizing everything about him, because he was what they considered too old, he was out there knowing full well that they knew nothing about him. He believed even though many others didn’t. During crunch time he wanted the ball because he knew he could deliver and he did, 80 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown, with 36 seconds left.

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John Rieger -USA Today Sports

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Yeah, everybody seemed to forget who he was, but he quietly reminded them, with 256 yards for the night.

Don’t Worry About Who’s Got Next, I’ve Got Now. — The Roots

I love it when sports reminds you of a valuable life lesson. Just because everybody’s saying you can’t, doesn’t mean you can’t. They don’t know you, they don’t know what you’re capable of, they just think they do. Don’t let the voices of negativity cloud your mind, affect your judgement, or alter your path. You are a badass, at 39 or at any age. You’re on the runway to success, and nobody can hit the breaks, but you.

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The Big Wardrobe Change Heard Around The World

 He’s the top news story on every channel, and he’s not even involved in some crazy scandal.

Jags vs Colts Monday Night Football (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 It’s Peyton.

  Peyton Manning.

Most chicks don’t know who he is or who I’m talking about. Football chicks yes … definitely yes, you do know the magnitude of this news. But there are very few of us in this club. So this is for the other chicks, for the sake of your dudes listen up. Por favor! Let me educate you sisters!

He’s not on The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, The Young and The Restless, a trainer on The Biggest Loser, or one of the husbands from Housewives of Atlanta, Orange County, Beverly Hills, etc… He’s an athlete. Yes! But he doesn’t play basketball or golf professionally. He’s one of the most awesome quarterbacks ever on Earth and in the Milky Way Galaxy.

 The big deal? He decided to change his wardrobe. Not by choice of course. He no longer wears the white and blue with a little horse shoe on the helmet from Indianapolis. Instead he’s decided to wear navy and orange and hang out in Denver. 

He’s still a horse, but he’s not longer a Colt: a young male horse. He’s a Bronco: a wild horse. Although as a quarterback he’s not really wild … just awesome. I usually prefer college football to the pros, but when Peyton was playing, my nachos and I sat on the couch and he had our full undivided attention.

I’ve been a fan since day one and he’s the reason why I became an Indianapolis Colts fan. However, now that he’s changing colors I might have to own a navy and orange jersey. That’s just how I roll. I’m loyal to the man like that.

I mean hey … it’s Denver. John Elway, right? Peyton working with Elway … Dude.

He’s been called “Top Gun.” Need I say more … well maybe a little. He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen. He’s got consecutive seasons with 4000 or more yards. Super Bowl Champion? Yes!  He’s the only player to receive NFL MVP honors four times, and he’s been in the Pro Bowl 11 times. Eleven!

Are you that good at your job?

I mean have they given you an executive, CEO, CFO, doctor, associate, lawyer, teacher, or mom award four times? Have you ever been so awesome at something that you were on the spectacular squad 11 times? Well … maybe if you’re Meryl Streep … that chick has mad acting skills with her dozens of Oscar nominations. Me … I’m lucky if I get 11 thank yous in a year. 

Manning and his teammates in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But ladies (and gentlemen) … Peyton is of massive importance. He’s special. He calls his own plays. His own plays! When most dudes are guided by the coaches on the sidelines or perhaps via phone call from the Big Cheeses in the luxury boxes, Peyton sees the field and takes action. He’s such a bad ass that he’s in huddle calling his own plays.

Talent and Smarts.  Top Gun indeed.

So if your dude, or a dude you know, your brother, or your dad is sad or upset about the wardrobe change, you can surprise him and say … well Joe Montana went from the 49ers to the Chiefs, Brett Favre went from the Packers to the Jets to the Vikings and they were still pretty awesome. I’m sure Peyton will kick ass in Denver. Playoffs baby. Playoffs!

You’ll score some points. No doubt. No doubt.