The Greatest Athlete Of The Decade
Tiger Woods has already been named the AP’s “Athlete of the Decade,” which we happen to think was a well-deserved honor in spite of his recent attempts to unseat Wilt Chamberlain as the “Athletic Pimp of the Century.”
Still, we would have given the nod to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning … something that has nothing to do with our founding editor’s 23-year love affair with the Colts (or his 12-year man crush on Manning).
Seriously, people … this has been the Manning decade in the NFL.
Peyton became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 40,000 yards in a decade earlier this year, and has moved into fourth place on the all-time wins list (behind Brett Favre, John Elway and Dan Marino).
He is also the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season ten times, and he needs just 120 more yards to surpass the 50,000-yard mark.
Want more? Manning become the first quarterback in league history to throw for 300 touchdowns in a decade earlier this year, and now ranks third on the all-time touchdown list (behind Favre and Marino) with 366.
His 95.3 career passer rating? That’s also third on the all-time list …
Plus, unlike Marino, Peyton has won the “big one,” Super Bowl XLI to be precise – a game which was preceded by a dramatic AFC Championship victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Okay, okay .. has Manning won three rings like Brady?
Not yet … but the 14-0 Colts are looking like the front-runners for Super Bowl XLIV at the moment.
Plus, after being owned by Brady and the Patriots for years, Manning’s Colts have won four of the last five rivalry match-ups – including this year’s thrilling 35-34 come-from-behind win.
Anyway, like we said … we’re obviously biased … so tell us if you think we’re wrong. And tell us who your athlete of the decade is!
Comments
By Climo on December 18th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Ken Climo. Heck, he is the best athlete the past two decades. He has won 12 of the past 19 Disc Golf World Championships, won the US National Championship 5 of the last 11 years, and is the only Disc Golf player to win majors in Europe, USA and Japan.
He also has never ranked worse than 3rd in the Disc Golf world rankings since turning pro in 1989.
Not as well known sport at regular ‘ball’ golf or football but he has dominated that sports for 20 years.
By John on December 18th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Tiger is due this award. After all, how many athletes are so flexible that they can have their ass handed to them and still be breathing?
By 3 rings on December 19th, 2009 at 9:33 am
OK BRO, Tom has more rings then the whole manning family so chill OUT BRO
By Eric on December 19th, 2009 at 11:35 am
There is no doubt in my mind that Peyton is the greatest QB playing in the league right now. There is also no doubt that he will be considered one of the greatest QB’s of all time. Even though I dislike UT, I do find myself a fan of Peyton because he doesn’t seem like a complete douche like Tom Brady.
A lot of people forget that the Colts were a worthless team before he joined. But that was a long long time ago.
For other candidates Michael Phelps and Lance Armstrong dominated their sports as well.