Many have pondered over the topic of tonight’s Super Bowl and probably the most frequently asked question has been “Who will win, Cam Newton or Peyton Manning?”
Honestly it doesn’t matter either way. Both of these guys are great quarterbacks. Manning is going out as a legend no matter the outcome of Super Bowl 50 and most likely will be inducted into the Hall of Fame after his retirement.
After five seasons in the NFL whether you like him or not, the legend status of Newton has already begun. He is 26 years old and 13 years younger than Manning. His abilities appear to be limitless after only one Carolina loss this season.
To put this into another perspective, guys like me grew up with Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player ever. Players like LeBron James and Seth Curry are not even taken into consideration, by me at least, although they possess great skill.
This is the exact way most football fans look at Manning and Newton. When the average football fan sees Manning mildly celebrate after throwing a touchdown pass, there is no discussion.
Most fans grew up watching him and he is not exactly known for his celebrating thus he rubs most football fans the right way.
On the other hand, you have a much younger and a much feistier Newton who prefers to “Dab” before taking the ball over to the sidelines and handing it to a young fan. This is something the older generation of football fans is not accustomed to, thus the backlash.
The quarterbacks we have become accustomed to and watched, handled their business much like Manning, Tom Brady, and many others do.
Of the eight NFL quarterbacks to reach the divisional round this season, six of them are over the age of 30. Obviously one was Newton and the other was Russell Wilson.
The difference in the two QBs might come down merely to the difference in their age.  Many of the older fans will be planted firmly in Manning’s corner and many of the young generation of fans will be cheering for Newton.
Maybe it’s the simple fact they relate better to him. I would look for the NFL to cash in on his younger audience as he attempts to put a new face on the league beginning at Super Bowl 50.
This game is not about color for the two QBs involved. It’s more about old school versus new school and which will prevail.
It will be fun to watch how Manning writes what could possibly be his final chapter in his illustrious career as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Meanwhile, Newton could write one of his best chapters to date. Right on.