Questions to ponder:
How much do you think what appeals to Cleveland about Peyton appeals to middle America as a whole?
Race aside, would Cleveland's support for Peyton have been anywhere near as strong were it not for LeBron's departure, as this Arkansas column insinuates?
Following are excerpts from a couple other columns on Peyton from his home-state. They're mostly tongue-in-cheek but can be pretty humorous:
"The phenomenon known as the Madden NFL video game—with its rabid followers around the world—has been holding an online vote to see who’ll appear on the cover of its new game. You might think the Super Bowl winner and Green Bay Packer quarterback, Aaron Rogers, would be the frontrunner for the honor. If so, said frontrunner got beat like an average corner trying to tackle Peyton Hillis.
Peyton walloped Mr. Rogers in the vote, 61 percent to 39 percent. Walter Mondale did better against Ronald Reagan in ’84.
Sure, there were reasons for the beat-down other than that Dawg Pound up in Cleveland. It’s said some Packers fans voted against their own quarterback because of something called the Madden Curse. It seems players who appear on the video game’s cover haven’t exactly shredded the record books the next year. But a win’s a win, as the coaches say—even if the other team rests its starters."
"Some will say it’s Peyton Hillis’ ability to carrying four defenders for eight yards that got him the honor this year. Or that he mows down opposing safeties like little children who’ve gotten in the way. Or that his is a style that resembles old-style football. You remember the old days, when you ran over, not around, your opponent.
Sure, all that may have had a little something to do with it. But we know how it really happened. Through the power of the press. Our press, to be exact.
Some speculate that appearing on the video cover might mean a lot of money to Mr. Hillis one day, what with endorsements and all the other windfalls that could come from his increasing popularity. Maybe he’ll share a little of it with those of us who launched an editorial crusade on his behalf. Fair is fair."
Yeah, I know - paywalls aggravate.