Let me start this opinion piece by recognizing my Panthers fandom. I've been a fan for a long time. I've waited over a decade to see the Panthers in this position again and now I'm watching the Panthers become one of the most hated teams on the face of the planet.
Cam is hated to the degree in which one American city has launched a petition for him to be banned from returning. Mom's who are fans of Panthers opponents this season scoff at the idea of their kids seeing Cam celebrate in the end zone or enjoying his success.
The Panthers defense receives minimal love as well. After NFL poster-child Odell Beckham Jr. cried wolf in his week 15 performance against Carolina, the team was immediately cast into the national spotlight. Despite Odell's repeated shots at ending cornerback Josh Norman's season, the wide receiver claims to have been intimidated and bullied on the field and feared for his safety as if he would get mugged on live television in front of millions of viewers. This led to outrage by the media and fans outside of the Carolina's with reactions condemning the Panthers defense for playing so physical (perhaps playing two hand touch instead of tackle is better).
To be fair, I can see where Cam is perceived as cocky. I recognize that Josh Norman was equally guilty in many ways during his week 15 match up against Odell Beckham Jr. But I don't recognize the inherited hatred the world has developed for the team. After many losing seasons, you would think it would be refreshing to see a new face at the top. But most importantly, I disagree with a new notion that is spreading like a wildfire--Peyton Manning "deserves" to win the Super Bowl.
Does Peyton Manning "deserve" the Super Bowl? Perhaps the Panthers shouldn't even show up to the field out of respect of his mediocre postseason career.
Look, I am by no means doubting that Peyton Manning is a great player. He will arguably go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever put on a uniform. He is a wizard in regular season play. It seems as if any year Peyton is quarterback, you can automatically expect a double-digit win total for his team in the regular season. Peyton is a winner in the regular season. Peyton is NOT a winner in the post season. Yes, 2006, Super Bowl champion. What about his other three trips to the Super Bowl? Surely we cannot forget his 2013 Super Bowl where his performance allowed America to turn the game off by halftime as the Seattle defense made Peyton look like a high school quarterback. Winning a Super Bowl is nothing to be taken lightly, and Peyton surely achieved one championship. But for a quarterback of his perceived caliber, shouldn't he have already won a few more? It's ironic to me that the media repeatedly wishes for Peyton to "go out as a champ." But let's be honest, his career never embodied that statement, so why does he suddenly deserve it now? Particularly, why does Peyton deserve it over a franchise that lost its last Super Bowl on a game-winning field goal to one of the shadiest teams in sports history (2003-2004 New England Patriots)? Why does Peyton seem more deserving than a quarterback who was written off by many people? Why does he deserve it over a fanbase that represents a small market NFL franchise, constantly having to dig for attention when the world has its eyes on larger markets?
Hate the Panthers if you must, despise them if you please, but please stop saying that Peyton Manning "deserves" to win the Super Bowl by virtue of his career. He's had nearly ten years to win that elusive second Super Bowl. Step out of the way old man, a new generation has arrived.
