Brady, Manning tied for most successful career
For the past decade, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have been at the top of their game.
The question of who has had the better career reentered my mind Oct. 8 as I watched Manning throw for his 500th career touchdown pass in his career and later as Brady became the sixth Quarterback in NFL history to pass for more than 60,000 yards in his career.
These two quarterbacks will both undoubtedly go down as two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. The different paths both have taken to become successful in the NFL are what I find most interesting.
Manning was selected No. 1 overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998. He and the Colts would go on to appear in two Super Bowls and win one under Peyton’s direction. He would also win four MVP’s as quarterback of the Colts.
Manning’s career came to a screeching halt in 2011, as he needed surgery on his neck. Manning missed the entire season that year and it obviously had an impact on the Colts as they finished the season with a 2-14 record. The last year he would remain an Indianapolis Colt was 2011.
The Denver Broncos decided to sign him, and it was a decision they obviously don’t regret. Manning led the Broncos to the Super Bowl in which they ultimately lost to the Seahawks. He also won the MVP in the 2013-2014 season.
Next up is Brady. Brady was not a first-round pick. In fact, he wasn’t even selected until the sixth round.
Since Brady wasn’t a top pick, he wasn’t the starting quarterback for the Patriots. He would eventually become the starter when Drew Bledsoe, the starting quarterback at the time, got injured.
Led by Brady, the New England Patriots have been to five Super Bowls and have won three of them. Brady is also a two-time MVP.
It’s obvious both men have accomplished great things in the NFL, something their coaches and teammates have noticed.
Tony Dungy, a former head coach in the NFL and Manning’s former coach, was on the Dan Patrick Show Oct. 6 and commented on which quarterback has had the better career.
“It’s all about getting the Super Bowls and winning, and Tom’s been to five of them,” Dungy said. “And that’s what you’re looking for. But we’ll see where it goes from here with Peyton Manning. John Elway didn’t win any until his last two years … your career is not over until it’s over. Right now I’d say Brady’s definitely in the lead.”
I was surprised Manning’s former coach chose Brady over Manning.
Aquib Talib, a former cornerback for the Patriots and current player for the Broncos, shared his perspective on the two quarterbacks with reporters from the NFL Network.
“You gotta go Peyton Manning,” Talib said. “Tom is a good friend of mine … what’s up Tom, baby?”
If I had to choose one or the over, I would choose Manning. He’s been able to win with two different teams and his ability to come back from a major surgery and still play at a high level is something I can respect.
However, I’m sure if I walked around campus and asked students whom they thought has had the better career it would be even.
We all better enjoy watching these two quarterbacks, because they’re not going to play forever. When that day comes it’s going to be a sad day for the NFL.
Thanks for the memories, Tom and Peyton.
