I had to laugh Sunday night and during the preceding week when all the Patriot-haters came out of the woodwork to root vehemently against a team many had seen just a few times during the entire year. Bill Simmons rationalizations aside, we tend to dislike teams that win "too much." We get tired of seeing the Yankees because they have infinite resources and expect to win a championship every year. And just when you think you can take some solace in the fact that they fell short (again), some random guy starts chanting about 27 titles.
But our tire of the Patriots is much more baseless. It's remarkable to watch a dynasty grow and perform, but there is a fine line between enjoying that ride and starting to wish that somebody else would win every once in a while. In the blink of an eye, one of the most impressive of sporting accomplishments -- an NFL dynasty -- is more of an annoyance than a thrill.
It is unfortunate, however, when our annoyance engulfs largely undeserving players. I had no idea how many people "hated" Tom Brady until last Sunday. Not that Brady deserves our pity, but he is a great representative of football in an age of contemptible sports icons.
But, we hate him because he wins "too much." We hate him for the tuck rule and, more recently, for a pass that was intercepted but then fumbled for a Patriots first down.
We hate Brady's team for many of the same reasons: They win too much, get the better bounce more often than not and their coach wears a cutoff hoodie on the sideline.
Rarely, however, does a combo as polarizing as Brady and his Patriots meet its match in the playoffs against a team people might well hate more. Or, more accurately, a player. A 6-foot-5, 230-pound quarterback with a laser, rocket arm named Peyton Manning.
We hate Peyton because he can't win the big game. We hate him because we hate Eli. We hate him because he sucks up the play clock in Madden. We hate him for his commercials. And we dislike the Colts because Peyton's shortcomings reflect those of his team; just like Manning can't win the big game, neither can his team.
Manning's situation is similar to Brady's. Despite being a great representative of the game, he has somehow become a polarizing figure that half the country has decided it "hates." Unless you're a true fan of either, you hate one or the other (or maybe both) because of his on-field persona. For years, each has been defined by that persona. Brady is the winner. Manning is the loser.
But in an unanticipated Colts victory we got a rare off-the-field look at another side of their characters. And I'd venture that, though disappointing if you are a Patriots fan, a Colts win has been an enlightening experience.
Aren't Brady and the Patriots more likable when they don't win it all? Isn't Manning more likable if he does?
Sunday, if you didn't hate the Pats, you probably adopted a reason to hate Manning. And if you didn't hate Manning, then you screamed obscenities about Brady and the Patriots. Just about everyone picked a player or team, rooted passionately against it and fell to the other team by default.
After the loss, Brady looked a little more human. I found fewer faults in his desire to win. Those feelings are natural for a competitor, and he's been good enough to do it a lot. It isn't "greedy," as some have surmised.
With a win, Manning looked a little less like a sell-out. He seemed tougher, even while throwing wounded ducks all evening. And in doing what they said he couldn't, Peyton was just about as likable as they come.
It could be a temporary feeling. Brady is now set up for redemption next year. Manning may well throw four interceptions against the Bears.
With a return to their former personas, we might again be annoyed with Peyton the nerd and Tom the poster boy.
It is tough to explain why people have such different views about two pretty good guys. But maybe, with a look at each outside his traditional persona, these views can change.
[INSERT MOOOVERS JOKE HERE].
Read More
Volleyball holds off Boston College in tight five-set win
By Lauren Halak | 12 hours agoSenior outside hitter Elayna Duprey led the team throughout the match with 22 points and 18 kills.
Virginia annihilated 41-14 in a must-win contest versus North Carolina
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayJust about everything that could have gone wrong for Virginia football went wrong.
No. 24 women’s soccer not to be denied in late win over Clemson
By Sam Chun | YesterdayThe Cavaliers topped Clemson 1-0 in front of a packed out Klöckner Stadium.
