The Super Bowl 50 betting odds had been lopsided even before the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos were named as the NFL teams to compete for the trophy. Cam Newton and his football squad had an impressive run this season. In comparison, Peyton Manning and the rest of the Denver Broncos players had to battle injuries and controversies throughout the NFL season.
Moreover, the Brock Osweiler squad faced tough competition in Tom Brady's New England Patriots. Injuries plagued the Denver Broncos specifically Manning who almost lost his starting gig to the young Osweiler. The Denver Broncos lead quarterback also battled the controversial accusation of HGH use courtesy of Al Jazeera earlier this season.
While other athletes may have broken down when faced with all these allegations, Manning to the occasion and responded to his critics with confidence and quiet strength. The Denver Broncos quarterback refused to back down amid the controversies, thereby gaining the respect and confidence of the public and the entire NFL community. Throughout these issues, Manning remained firm in his principles. The quarterback held on to his good name and reputation tightly and faced the allegations head on.
Fans of the Super Bowl 50 champ feel that one of the reasons behind Manning's success and strength on and off the football field is his faith. The Denver Broncos star has never been coy in discussing his firm belief in God and how this helped him live a good life. Earlier reports revealed that Manning cemented his dedication to his Christian faith since he was 13 years old.
"My faith has been number one since I was 13 years old and heard from the pulpit on a Sunday morning in New Orleans a simple question: 'If you died today, are you one hundred percent sure you'd go to heaven,'" Manning shared in the book he co-authored with father Archie Manning.
He added, "Cooper was there and Eli [Peyton's two brothers] but it didn't hit them at the time the way it did me. It was a big church, and I felt very small, but my heart was pounding. The minister invited those who would like that assurance through Jesus Christ to raise their hands, and I did. Then he invited us to come forward, to take a stand, and my heart really started pounding. And from where we sat, it looked like a mile to the front. And I committed my life to Christ, and that faith has been most important to me ever since."
Manning also shared the order of things in his priority list. Pointing out the four most important aspects of his life, the Denver Broncos star explained that football takes the last place. He shared, "For me generally it had always been the big four: faith, family, friends, and football."
The Super Bowl 50 champion added, "[A]s important as football is to me, it can never be higher than fourth. My faith has been number one since I was thirteen years old."
Manning also disclosed that he is not as showy as other athletes when it comes to his faith. The Denver Broncos star shared that he believes his actions should speak louder than his proclamations in public when it comes to his belief system. However, Manning is quick to point out that he sees nothing wrong with publicly celebrating one's faith.
"Some players get more vocal about it-the Reggie Whites, for example-and some point to Heaven after scoring a touchdown and praise God after games," he said. Manning added, "I have no problem with that. But I don't do it, and don't think it makes me any less a Christian. I just want my actions to speak louder."
