Tom Brady has had nothing but praise for Peyton Manning ahead of their AFC Championship Game matchup, and the Denver Broncos quarterback reciprocated those feelings.
Brady said Monday that he’s looking forward to taking on Manning in the playoffs again, and the same goes for Manning. The 39-year-old quarterback told the Denver media Wednesday that he’s honored to be playing the four-time Super Bowl champion once again.
“I’ve always given the boring answer: It’s the Colts versus the Patriots and now it’s the Broncos versus the Patriots,” Manning said when asked about facing Brady, per NFL.com’s Kevin Patra. “But all I can say about Tom Brady is that he plays the position the way it’s supposed to be played…
“There are a lot of players that have played in 16 of those games. As the quarterback it’s always a great honor and privilege to have competed against (Brady) over the course of the past 16, 17 years that he and I have been in the league together.”
One reporter asked if the Brady-Manning rivalry was like the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson rivalry, but Manning said that was an “uncomfortable comparison to make” and that he has nothing but respect for Brady.
“I felt very fortunate to have played 18 years like I have and I know how I’ve worked to play this long,” Manning said. “So when I look across at the New England Patriots and see Tom Brady as their quarterback, I know how hard he’s worked, as well, to play as well as he has over the course of his career with the success he’s had — and the team’s success — I have a lot of respect for him. He’s earned the respect. He and (head coach) Bill Belichick have earned all the respect and all the accolades that they get.”
The two quarterbacks will face off in Denver on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET to see if it will be Brady or Manning who gets the honor of playing in Super Bowl 50.
Thumbnail photo via  Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports Images
