Page 20 - ad feb 5

20

SPORTSFriday 5 February 2016

Like Elway, Manning has chance to tie things up with a title

what I was seeing and 12-yard run against the Pa-
what I was feeling.” triots) is a testament to his
The signs of Elway’s slow- guile and smarts more than
down toward the end any physical prowess.
were visible — he missed “I feel I can still move the
four starts in 1998 with ham- chains,” Manning said.
string, rib and other injuries. “Maybe in different ways.
“Physically, I was break- It’s being able to adjust.”
ing down a little bit,” El- If he leads Denver to a vic-
way said. But the ravages tory against Carolina on
of age on him weren’t as Sunday, Manning’s ability
glaring as what Manning to set aside the glow of win-
has displayed at times this ning the title, and to listen
season. His 17 interceptions to candid advice, will set
before going to the sideline the framework for his deci-
with a foot injury in Novem- sion. His inner-circle’s ability
ber were hard to watch. to give it to him straight will
That he has rebounded be every bit as important
and guided the Broncos to for the quarterback, whose
the Super Bowl (And yes, contract extends through
there was that remarkable next year.q

In this March 20, 2012, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback
Peyton Manning and executive vice president of football oper-
ations John Elway pose during an NFL football news conference
at the team’s headquarters in Englewood, Colo.

Associated Press

EDDIE PELLS men, the topic of Man-
AP National Writer ning’s retirement has not
SANTA CLARA, California been broached.
(AP) — The last time the It’s hard to think those con-
world saw John Elway in a versations won’t pick up
Broncos uniform, he was steam over the next few
facing the stands, both weeks.
hands aloft, holding his hel- Manning has already told
met in his left hand, and his Patriots coach Bill Belich-
right hand clenched into ick, in a not-so-private ex-
a tight, celebratory fist. He change at midfield two
flashed that toothy smile, weeks ago, that this might
knowing that a few min- be his last rodeo. He has
utes later, he would be cra- refused to expand on that,
dling his second Super Bowl keeping with the theme
trophy. that he’s soaking in every
He went out on top. No moment, and he’ll worry
matter what happened about tomorrow when to-
after that — and Elway has morrow comes.
gone on to accomplish “We haven’t talked about
plenty — his last meaning- anything past Sunday,”
ful moments on a foot- said Manning’s brother, Eli.
ball field had resulted in a “We kept it on this week,
victory in the biggest game the last few weeks, but
of all. nothing past the game.”
“It’s a very nice thing to When the game is over,
have,” Elway said this week, Peyton will have an all-star
“knowing you can always lineup from which to glean
look back and have a real advice. It includes Eli, of
positive thought.” course; their father, Archie,
Now, Elway runs the team who spent 14 years in the
he used to play for. In 2012 NFL; their brother, Cooper,
he signed Peyton Man- who has long been one
ning, who, at 39, is even of Peyton’s best sounding
older than Elway was when boards. And Elway. Chanc-
he played his last game in es are, Manning will be
1999. seeking what Elway sought
And now, it’s Manning who when he went to his father,
could be taking that same Jack, a longtime scout and
walk into the sunset as El- personnel man, after the
way did. He has a chance second Super Bowl title.
to win his second Super “I was fortunate to be able
Bowl, peel off his Broncos to talk to my dad about
jersey and never come what he thought,” Elway
back. said. “Because I didn’t
By the accounts of both want it to be different than