Was there ever any doubt?  The only debate is why this is only the fourth MVP award for Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning has won.  He’s played 12 seasons, and was only the MVP four times?  Ridiculous.  

Manning has authored the most consistent run of regular season excellence in the history of the NFL and arguably in pro sports.  He has been the constant, the face of the Colts franchise, and unquestionably its best player.  His work ethic sets the example, tone, and culture for the Colts and the City of Indianapolis.  

During the Raiders game last weekend, former NY Giants QB and current CBS Analyst Phil Simms said about JaMarcus Russell, “When your quarterback is not the hardest working player on the team, you have a problem.”  The Colts do not have a problem.  Neither does the city.  

Indianapolis existed for decades as a city without a personality.  Like Louisville, it came alive for one weekend in May and then went back to sleep and evaporated for the America’s collective cultural consciousness.  Then, Bill Polian drafted Manning instead of Ryan Leaf with the number one overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft.  

From that day forward, the city embraced and emulated Manning.  He works hard, so kids work hard—dads work hard, moms work hard, and everyone else works hard.  That is the reason that folding the tent with 5:36 left in the third quarter against the Jets a couple of weeks ago was so hard to swallow.  In the minds of people in Indianapolis, the Colts embody their work ethic.  To turn their backs on a chance to prove to everyone that the Colts are the best team in NFL history, meant that the city was doing the same.  The Colts are Indy, and Indy is the Colts.  They are now we, and Manning is now us.  

That’s value.  What other players in the history of the NFL have been so intrinsically linked to a city, and have raised the image of a city?  The list is but one name long.  Jim Brown.  An argument could be made for Walter Payton, but Chicago is probably as well-defined by Ernie Banks and Michael Jordan.  Indianapolis has Reggie Miller, but as much as he is loved in Indianapolis, he’s not THE GUY.  Culturally, the case could be made that Elvis did the same for Memphis.  

Manning has done all of this without much fanfare around town.  He’s rarely seen out and about, so either he is a pretty laid back and quiet guy, or he does his social business as celebrities should – in a controlled environment away from cameras and prying eyes.  TMZ hasn’t had a story about Manning, and they likely never will.  

This award is about accomplishments on the field, and Manning had no peer there this year.  In the games Manning played throughout, the Colts were 14-0.  He left the 15th game with a lead, and in the 16th he made it look easy only using Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne to move the ball down the field.  When Manning came out of those games, the Colts folded.   

There were questions about how the loss of future Hall of Fame WR Marvin Harrison would affect Manning this season.  Then, after the collapse of WR Anthony Gonzalez’s knee, he had to work with Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon.  Didn’t make any difference.  Manning went to work with what he had, and put up stupendous statistics, and led the Colts to seven fourth quarter come from behind wins.  

2009 was Manning’s second best statistical season.  To go through all the numbers would do nothing but eat space, but there is one that is unreal.  Manning dropped back to throw 581 times this season.  He was able to throw 571 passes.  His sack rate of 1.7% is crazy low.  It speaks to the quality of the offensive line and work that the receivers do to get open, but the timing of that clock inside Manning’s head that tells him when to get rid of the ball is not exactly a Casio.  It has Swiss precision.  

Indiana has been a basketball state since Johnny Wooden laced up whatever passed for basketball shoes in the 1920s for Martinsville High School.  Today?  Throughout the Manning era, more and more of the best athletes have decided to play football instead of work at basketball year-round. 

That is the true value of Peyton Manning.  He has made the people in his city notice his public behavior and emulate it.  Indianapolis is a better place for Manning being here.  How many athletes can you say that about?

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