Peyton Manning, Christian Budweiser pitchman. It sounds like a joke from a decidedly anti-Christian website, but as the world found out following his second — and likely final — Super Bowl victory Sunday night, it’s absolutely true.
Manning, in a moment of understandable elation, said that he planned on drinking “lots of Budweiser” not once but twice before giving “praise to the man upstairs” for the opportunity to do so.
And just in case you missed it, here is the full context.
“I want to go kiss my wife and my kids. I want to go hug my family,” Manning said in comments to CBS’ Tracy Wolfson immediately after the game. “I’m going to drink a lot of Budweiser tonight, Tracy, I promise you that. I’m going to take care of those things first and definitely going to say a little prayer and thank the man upstairs for this great opportunity.”
https://youtu.be/7NmFKp3L24M
From a letter-of-the-law standpoint, Peyton Manning leaves much to be desired as a Christian here. While the comment certainly earned more than a few chuckles Sunday night, it was about as far from exemplary of the faith as it is supposed to be practiced as one could get.
Firstly, there is the literal interpretation. The Bible that Peyton Manning supposedly follows, according to his own admission, does not explicitly condemn the drinking of alcoholic beverages. After all, Jesus’ first miracle in Scripture involved turning water into wine. It is not a huge leap in logic to assume he also partook.
Peyton Manning as a Christian gets a pass on that issue. However, his matter-of-fact confirmation that he would be drinking “lots” of Budweiser did not go with the picture of sensibility and moderation that Christians like to think they are known for.
It implied drunkenness, a big no-no in the Bible.
Worse than this, for Christians, is that Peyton Manning said this on as grand a stage as a Christian will usually get: The Super Bowl 50 presentation of the Lombardi trophy.
For those without an intimate acquaintance with Christianity, there is a parable allegedly told by Jesus Christ that talks about squandering talents, and to whom much is given, much is expected.
Peyton Manning is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the history of the NFL with his 200 career wins, numerous playoff appearances, and two championship trophies.
The fact that he’s endorsing a company like Budweiser that profits off the disease of alcoholism is bad enough; but using a large public stage to proudly announce the mass consumption of such beverages is something that likely sends many Christians recoiling in disgust.
There are many who are now speaking out against the Peyton Manning, according to this piece from the Christian Post .
In it, a commenter sums up the Peyton Manning misstep from a Christian perspective.
“Another athlete who does not realize he is a role model for young people and especially young athletes. Hopefully, as he reviews these remarks which he made at least two times in the post-game interviews, he will have the wisdom and courage to publicly admit he blew it and apologize to the young people and especially those who had seen him as a person to emulate.”
Of course, the Peyton Manning Christian image has taken quite a hit in the last couple of years, most recently with human growth hormone (HGH) abuse allegations, and then this sexual harassment story the Inquisitr reported on some time ago that dates back to his time as a Tennessee volunteer.
What do you think, readers? Was Peyton Manning showing a good Christian side last night, or does he need to make a public apology?
[Image via Craig Hawkins/Flickr/ CC BY-ND 2.0 ]