For all the criticism Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took after he moped through his brief Super Bowl press conference, he did at least take a moment to congratulate his opposite number:
On Monday, a month after that moment, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning officially retired after 18 seasons. Shortly after Manning's press conference, Newton chimed in on his Instagram account:
I am grateful to have shared the field in your LAST game but most importantly I am grateful to have mimicked a style you created to bring out the best in MË! And that style is/was mastering the art of: PREPARAT1ØN. You have changed this game in ways you will never no and I admire the man you are on and off the field. You set the bar H1GH....extremelyHiGH and knowing your family, I know that's just the norm. I came into this league gagging and still gagging my talents to this day off of the things that YOÜ have done and accomplished; because you are and you will FOREVER be the STANDARD! So long SHER1FF! #omahaOMAHA #1STpickGÄNG #iWmW -1OVE
A photo posted by Cam Newton (@cameron1newton) on
Panthers backup quarterback Derek Anderson also shared some thoughts about Manning, including the time the two went to the Pro Bowl together:
Got to spend this week as his teammate. Something I'll always remember. We are all thankful for all u have done! pic.twitter.com/XeCVSRwbt5
— Derek Anderson (@DAnderson314) March 7, 2016
Peyton well said sir! Thank you again. We are all gonna miss you.#alltimer
— Derek Anderson (@DAnderson314) March 7, 2016
With so many in the football world expressing appreciation for what Manning accomplished in his career, former Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams took a different route. He wasn't necessarily wrong, but he sure ruffled some feathers:
Look Peyton is a hall of fame qb who couldn't play dead in a western last year but career over all is astonishing but last year was 💩😷
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 7, 2016
It bothersme whenkey playersget a pass fora terrible season because of greatcareers while others are judgedin the momentwith less accolades
— DeAngelo Williams (@DeAngeloRB) March 7, 2016