The Power of Peyton Manning

We've deified Peyton Manning around here. And it's not without merit.

I arrived recently at Fox Den Country Club for Manning's benefit golf tournament. I wasn't playing, because doing so would shred any mutual respect we share.

I was there simply to do an interview.

It was dreadfully overcast, and it had rained hard early that morning. The skies were again threatening, and as we prepared for the interview, it started to sprinkle.

At that, Manning gave an unapproving glance toward the sky. It stopped. Almost immediately.

Not exactly the parting of the Red Sea, but the thought did cross my mind. Is he really that connected?

To die-hard Tennessee fans, Manning can do no wrong, and he carries that responsibility well.

He's won a Super Bowl title, three league MVPs, and when his career is finished, he will hold all of the NFL's career passing records. He'll one day be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

But his off-field legacy is what UT fans are especially proud of. There's not one blemish. 

He returns to Knoxville annually to award a scholarship at UT. He continues his close association with Mercy Health Partners (formally St. Mary's) and his benefit golf tournament. His Peyback foundation awards $500,000 to charities-- many in East Tennessee-- each year.

A small generation of parents have named their kids Peyton. Twelve years ago, the media pre-ordained him a Heisman Trophy winner, and then for reasons that are still debated with passion around here-- they snatched it away in a late-season revolt.  At the trophy presentation that night in New York, an obviously disappointed Manning handled a difficult situation with class and dignity.

In reality Manning is like the rest of us-- not perfect. But he maintains a special status with Tennessee fans, and it's well deserved. 

And his tee shots that day never touched water-- at least while I was there.