Even as a kid, Peyton Manning was a fierce competitor

Cam Newton is not the only Super Bowl quarterback who has shown he doesn't take losses in stride.

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Feb 9, 2016

Cam Newton is not the only Super Bowl quarterback who has shown he doesn't take losses in stride.

In his 2013 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year story from December 2013, SI's Lee Jenkins reveals that Peyton Manning was a fierce competitor as a kid. He didn't always take losses well.

From the SI Vault:

Sportsmanship wasn't always his specialty. When Manning was five and his coach-pitch team lost every game by about 20 runs, the coach would invariably tell the boys it was a tie. "He thinks we're stupid," Manning griped to his parents. "It was not a tie." When he was eight and Archie coached his youth basketball team, they sparred because Archie drafted his friends' sons even though many of them couldn't shoot. Archie vowed never to coach him again. When Peyton was 12 he had a new basketball coach with a curious substitution pattern. After one loss, the coach told the team, "The reason we didn't win the game is because you weren't ready to play." Manning pointed a finger in his face. "No," he protested, "the reason we didn't win the game is because you don't know what you're doing." Archie drove him to the coach's house that night, in tears, to apologize.

Rare Photos of Peyton Manning

Archie, Cooper and Peyton Manning

Did anyone ever think that Peyton Manning would wind up a member of the Broncos? It happened on Tuesday when the former Colts quarterbackagreed to a five-year contract with the Broncos. As Manning gets used to his new surroundings, SI takes a look back at some rare photos of the prolific passer, who won a Super Bowl and four MVP awards and helped build a new stadium while with the Colts. In this photo, Peyton takes some cuts against his brother, Cooper, as father Archie plays catch.

Manning Family

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning strikes a relaxed pose during a 1996 photo shoot. A printout of his dad Archie's 1970 SI cover is in the background.

Peyton and Olivia Manning

Tee Martin and Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning gives some tips to backup quarterback Tee Martin during his Tennessee days. Manning turned the downtrodden Colts into a perennial Super Bowl contender during his days in Indy, leading the team to eight division championships and three AFC championship games.

Peyton Manning

Manning getting jacked at a 1997 workout.

Peyton Manning

Manning receives his diploma at Tennessee's 1997 commencement ceremony. Manning was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society while at Tennessee.

Archie and Peyton Manning

Peyton talks with father Archie, himself a longtime NFL quarterback, immediately before announcing his decision to stay for his senior year at Tennessee. Manning was projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft.

Charles Woodson, Ryan Leaf and Peyton Manning

Manning, Charles Woodson (left) and Ryan Leaf (center) toss a ball around prior to the 1998 NFL draft. Manning, who controversially lost out on the 1997 Heisman Trophy to Woodson, was the first selection of the draft, with Leaf going second to the Chargers.

Julie James, Edgerrin James and Peyton Manning

Manning helps Edgerrin James' mother Julie fit the running back for a suit in 1999.

Peyton Manning

Manning gives passing instructions during a Pro Bowl Special Olympics Event in 2000. Manning has been named to 11 Pro Bowls during his career.

Peyton Manning and Yao Ming

Manning and Yao Ming slap hands at a 2003 Gatorade commercial shoot. Manning, who will turn 36 later this month, started 208 consecutive games before missing all of 2011 due to injuries.

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning

Manning and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shake hands after New England's 20-3 victory over the Colts in the 2005 Divisional Playoffs. The two best quarterbacks of their generation, Manning and Brady met in the playoffs three times while Manning was a Colt.

Tennessee Fans

Manning (center, pointing) takes in a Tennessee Lady Vols basketball game in 2005. Manning was 39-6 in four years at Tennessee.

Connie Payton and Peyton Manning

Manning and Connie Payton hold the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year trophy at a 2006 press conference.

Peyton Manning and John Elway

Manning spends some time with Broncos legend John Elway before the 2006 Pro Bowl skills challenge. Manning is expected to sign with another NFL team within the next week.

Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison walk together during a 2006 game. The Manning-Harrison connection was the most prolific in NFL history, with the pair holding a number of QB/WR records, including the most career completions/receptions, passing/receiving yards and passing/receiving touchdowns.

Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay

Manning chats with Colts owner Jim Irsay during Media Day prior to Super Bowl XLI. Manning was the MVP of the game, leading the Colts to a decisive victory over the Bears. Both Irsay and Manning will be at Wednesday's press conference to announce the Colts decision to cut Manning.

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning sports a fake moustache in a Sprint commercial, one of many television spots he's been in over the years.

Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy

Manning holds the Lombardi Trophy aloft while former coach Tony Dungy looks on after the Colts beat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI.

Reggie Wayne, Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison

Manning laughs with wide receivers Reggie Wayne (left) and Marvin Harrison during Colts training camp in 2007. Harrison -- who retired after the 2008 season -- and Wayne -- a potential free agent who could sign with Manning this offseason -- were Manning's two favorite targets in Indianapolis.

Peyton and Eli Manning

Peyton and little brother Eli talk while filming a DirecTV commercial. Though Peyton's stats are undeniably better, Eli has one more Super Bowl championship than his older brother.

Peyton and Archie Manning

Peyton and Archie Manning hug in the moments after the Colts dramatic comeback victory over the rival New England Patriots in the 2007 AFC Championship Game.