Manning performance one for the ages

I've never been a fan of Peyton Manning, the squeaky-clean quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.

His history of underachievement in crucial games has always put him in a category with other superstars who couldn't seem to get it done at crunch time.

A certain hall-of-famer, the talented Manning annually amasses extraordinary statistics that have turned him into the NFL's elite player at his position.

Undeniably football's most cerebral quarterback, I've thought his constant changing of plays at the line of scrimmage was often a distraction for his team.

In several playoff losses the Colt offense would look confused as new orders were shouted just before the snap of the ball.

With so much media attention bestowed on a guy who couldn't get his team to the Super Bowl, purists of the game wondered if there was a little too much style and not enough substance.

His individual accolades no longer mattered as much.

Last Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots started off terribly for the Colts.

Already down 14-3, Manning threw a second quarter interception that was returned for a touchdown and had critics (including myself) lamenting an all-too-familiar theme.

Erasing an 18-point deficit against a Patriot team with three Super Bowl wins in the past five years looked impossible as halftime approached.

Manning's performance for the remainder of the contest is the stuff legends are made of. He certainly made a believer of me.

What impressed me was Manning's demeanor when things weren't going well.

Despite facing a task that looked insurmountable, his facial expression never changed.

He was in complete command while driving his team to a field goal near the end of the second quarter, cutting the New England lead to 21-6.

The late score pumped life into the Colts, giving them a much-needed confidence boost. Manning looked poised and under control.

I couldn't help but think back five years to the Minnesota Vikings' last appearance in a conference title game, when alleged team leaders Cris Carter and Randy Moss let their total loss of composure turn a rough beginning into a 41-0 loss to the New York Giants.

Manning's response to similar adversity was just the opposite.

The second half saw him at his very best.

A fierce New England pass rush brought relentless pressure on nearly every throw, knocking him hard to the turf on several occasions.

To his credit, he continually picked himself up and systematically moved the Colt offense downfield on every possession.

With unwavering calm, he answered the call in leading his team from behind twice in the fourth quarter, finally overtaking the Patriots with yet another touchdown drive in the game's closing minutes

When a Colts' interception secured victory in the final seconds, Manning's appearance transformed to joy and relief while his teammates celebrated wildly.

Equally admirable about Manning's performance was the class and dignity he showed afterward.

While still on the field, he found opposing players and coaches to shake hands and offer words of praise.

There were no self-serving gestures that have become commonplace in pro sports.

At the postgame press conference he singled out teammates and coaches for their hard work and dedication, often deflecting attention away from his own achievements while humbly answering questions.

Not very often do I take a rooting interest while watching games on television.

Mostly I enjoy the competitiveness and the drama that comes with it. Generally, I don't get too worked-up over who wins and loses.

As things unfolded last Sunday, I found myself pulling for Peyton Manning and the Colts.

The business-like approach of their coaches and players represents what team sports should be about.

The Super Bowl game against Chicago has the potential to be a classic.

The physically imposing Bear defense offers Manning his stiffest test so far.

It should be a good one.

Dave LeGarde is a Duluth East basketball coach and sports aficionado. Readers can e-mail questions and comments to dlegarde@allvantage.com .