WINNIPEG — When the Rady JCC “Y” sports dinner committee took the elastic off the bankroll and decided to bring in Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning as their featured speaker, there were more than a few naysayers who were concerned about the bottom line.
After all, the primary goal of the function is to raise funds for programs and services that enrich peoples’ lives.
Well, advance sales of a record 1,600-plus tickets must have relieved the stress of some and also guaranteed that the evening would be a financial success.
How successful was the keynote speaker? Well, if the dinner was a football game, with Manning the signal caller, you could say he completed 31 of 35 passes for more than 400 yards and no interceptions.
Manning was greeted with a loud standing ovation when he was introduced and once again at the end of the evening when queries from the adoring audience had to be halted so the Winnipeg Convention Centre could be closed for the night.
The Yiddish term mensch would best describe Manning: very generous, good and down-to-earth.
Jeff Pash, executive vice-president of the NFL, who was guest of honour at the dinner, perhaps said it best: “Peyton symbolizes everything that is good about sports.”
One reporter at a press conference 90 minutes prior to the dinner asked why Manning would come to Winnipeg except for the handsome fee he would earn.
The articulate Manning, with the cool demeanour he uses to handle charging tacklers, didn’t bat an eyelash when he responded: “Growing up, my dad was my hero and my role model.” (QB Archie Manning was a two-time NFL Pro Bowler who played from 1971 to 1984 with New Orleans, Houston, and Minnesota.)
“He always told me to have your priorities in order,” Manning continued. “He encouraged us in sports but never pushed us. He didn’t yell during our games at coaches and had a healthy passion for the game. As a person and a player, I haven’t changed since I won the Super Bowl. And he also taught us that you have to give something back to the game.
“I was a communications major in college and my dad did a lot of public speaking and I enjoyed listening to him over the years. It served me well and I, too, have a charity [the PeyBack Foundation] that like the people here in Winnipeg also has a mission statement.”
The audience participation later in the evening was impressive and well-schooled in the game south of the border.
When asked about Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons’ QB jailed for promoting dog fighting, Manning handled the question sensitively. “I wish him the best and hope that he continues [to pursue] his dream. I do pull for quarterbacks. It’s a unique fraternity.”
Any QB, whether it be his father Archie, brother Eli of the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants, or himself, are all targets in the mayhem that is pro football. Is there anyone who is the most feared by Peyton?
Ray Lewis, linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, fits the bill.
“He’s one of the best,” Manning said. “He likes to use you while you’re down on the ground to help himself get up.”
Peyton pondered a question about the Blue Bombers’ outlook, since more than 25 changes have been made in to the team’s lineup in the off-season.
“You can’t just rush team chemistry,” he explained. “There will definitely be a transition there. Teams that win have a close-knit relationship and it takes time. It’s the same as in any business.”
Manning also shared life lessons and leadership principles that apply to both sports and non-sports businesses. “You have to erase the bad plays and get back to zero. Don’t dwell on the past. I set a rookie record for interceptions,” he laughed.
“As a leader I put myself in a state of readiness. Do your part and encourage others to do the same,” he added. “If you’re leading the same way for five years it’s not good. Change your style of leadership as things evolve. As tough as it is to get to the top, it’s tougher to stay there.”
Perhaps the last principle applies to the ‘Y” dinner committee, in spades, since topping this year’s fundraiser will take some doing.
Manning ended by lauding audience members for their support and the Rady Centre for the good work it does for the Winnipeg community.
The award for Jewish athlete of the year, presented at the dinner, went to Elizabeth Sera, who is attending the University of Western Ontario on an athletic scholarship. She participates in two of the roughest varsity sports, rugby and wrestling.