Read this story knowing that it’s real, not a Hollywood script. Better yet, put yourself in this story, consider the case of what may just be the longest suffering athlete turned fan in the history of the NFL.
College Career
As a college quarterback you are clearly the best player on the field, yet your team’s not so good. You throw for over 4700 yards and 56 touchdowns, you set a conference record for 540 yards in a single game, your jersey is retired, the campus speed limit is set at 18 MPH to honor your jersey number and legendary college football coach Bear Bryant says you’re the best college quarterback he’s ever seen.
You are a legend, yet your team’s combined record over three years is just 22-10-1, there are no national championships or conference titles to speak of.
NFL Career
Archie played for the 'Aints
After 11 seasons you move on to play three more for two other franchises with little success, and in the end you never played for a winning team as a professional.
Post-NFL
After retirement from the NFL you settle down in the city where you were first drafted, you become the ambassador of a franchise as 42 years go by without a Super Bowl appearance. You suffer immeasurable pain alongside your adopted home town as a hurricane nearly destroys your beloved city. And then, the unthinkable happens!
Your franchise is reborn and spearheads a revival in the city and region, culminating with a shot at the ultimate prize, their first ever Super Bowl.
The irony here is that after nearly a four-decade association with this team and this city, you’ll find yourself pulling for them to lose the Super Bowl because your son, Peyton Manning, quarterbacks the opposition. It would be a tragic story if the stakes were more than just a game. As Peyton Manning prepares his Indianapolis Colts to take on New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV, Peyton’s father Archie Manning must reconcile his 40-year dream against that of his sons.
As an ambassador and adopted son of New Orleans, Archie has endured a lifetime of disappointment and never complained about his situation. Knowing the character of the man, I’ll bet he sees this scenario as a blessing because he finally comes out a winner, no matter what happens in the game.
I'm just elated that the Saints have finally made it to the Super Bowl. I'm not really all that concerned whether they win or not, at least not yet. But I am over-the-moon right now just knowing that they're going. As a Louisiana native and lifelong resident, this is a dream come true.