Look, in one of my previous posts I said that I liked Manning, but I look at him as a very good quarterback that used to play for UT; I don't worship him. There have been many good players that have played for UT.
Though Manning had great numbers, he couldn't beat Florida, therefore he didn't win any national championships.
I am a Tennessean (living in Virginia) that supports both football teams that have Tennessee in their names. I don't consider the Titans a "Middle Tennessee Team". Only a half-witted goob would have an opinion like that. I don't like the way Manning did my NFL team. It showed a lack of character considering there were plenty of people in Tennessee that wanted him to come back here (me included).
I don't like that Manning went to Bama to consort with Saban and Kiffin. That's an insult to any of us that are still sore over Kiffin hitting us in the keister.
That's my position. If any of you "Manning-ites" don't like that; tough.
Not trying to start an argument. Just some points on the flip side:
1. I'll state again that the University of Tennessee has no direct relationship with the Tennessee Titans other than location. We are fans of the University of Tennessee, not every team in the state. If you want to root for them or any other pro team, that is fine. But this is not a Titans board, and no one affiliated with the University OWES the Titans any allegiance.
2. We are proud of our alumni. I want them to succeed in the NFL and root for them (and sometimes their teams) because #1 - I followed them during their college days (at OUR college) and #2 - it makes UT look good. It gives us starpower and name recognition in recruiting and booster circles.
3. Peyton Manning is absolutely the most prolific example of this. If you follow recruiting, it is astounding how many of them cite wanting to play at the school "where Peyton went." Of course, this could go for Reggie or any other legends, but Peyton is the poster boy for UT right now and has been for a long time. That is a VERY GOOD thing.
4. If you are a UT fan, there hasn't been much to really brag about lately. One of our alumni is still playing in the NFL, absolutely tearing it up, and is arguably the greatest individual player to ever play the game. Outside of CBJ's recruiting, Peyton has given us the reason to brag and cheer.
5. He is a huge booster proponent of UT. Donates money, time, makes phone calls, etc. He is also a nice guy; this is according to many sources/stories online. I can attest to this as well - when I was younger, my brother and I wrote him a letter. He wrote back and included an autographed magazine cover.
6. Regarding the Alabama/Kiffin thing: Peyton is a grown man and professional football player. It is very likely that his offensive coordinator asked him to visit Bama as a favor, or perhaps Kiffin or Saban invited him. What is he supposed to do, say no? "Heck no, Nick Satan, I bleed orange and won't step foot on your campus or help you at all." What a jerky move that would be, all in the name of what....fandom? Peyton can do whatever he pleases in terms of visiting/helping others, and it won't affect my opinion of him. After all, we are all people first.
