Imrem: Good for all that Manning will miss Chicago Bears game
This coming Sunday was a date to circle when the Bears' 2015 schedule was released.
The Broncos would come to Soldier Field with quarterback Peyton Manning perhaps making the final Chicago appearance of his career.
Now … no … Manning will miss the game with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot and a bum rib and shoulder.
This is good.
Not necessarily for the Bears it isn't because they might have a better chance to beat the Broncos with Manning than with backup Brock Osweiler at quarterback.
In a loss at home to Kansas City on Sunday, Manning completed 5 of 20 passes and threw 4 interceptions. His quarterback rating was zero-point-zilch before he was yanked in the third quarter.
If that was the Manning coming to Soldier Field, the improving Bears would record their third straight victory, elevate their record to .500 and climb closer to a playoff position.
But does anyone really want to see Peyton Manning perform like that in his Chicago finale? Wouldn't it be better to recall what he was than what he faded into? Yes, even better to recall how he beat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI?
Manning owns the NFL record for career passing yards and is considered one of the best quarterbacks of the Super Bowl era.
Bears head coach John Fox coached Manning the past two seasons in Denver and said this Monday:
"I have nothing but great respect (for Manning). He's a great, great quarterback, arguably the best to play the game."
The Bears' defense isn't that great yet, but it has developed to the point it can catch up to a 39-year-old quarterback operating on 89-year-old feet.
Look, this is football, a brutal game that disables some of the most able-bodied men.
Still, enough iconic athletes like Manning already have left sports with dented dignity.
Willie Mays is the prime example, last seen on a baseball field falling down in the outfield while finishing his glorious career with the Mets.
Closer to the point - athletically and geographically - is Joe Namath, who in Super Bowl III led the Jets to maybe the most significant pro-football victory ever.
In 1977, Namath played his last season with the Los Angeles Rams and his last game in Soldier Field and the Bears left him bloodied and bowed on "Monday Night Football."
It was a "kill the quarterback" moment for Bears fans but in retrospect an ugly scene that no premier athlete should have to endure.
Closest to the point - genetically and horrifically - another outstanding quarterback played in Soldier Field seven years later.
Archie Manning, Peyton's father, who spent most of his career with the Saints, came to Chicago one last time as a member of the Vikings.
It would be that Manning's final NFL season, much like many expect this to be this Manning's final season.
The '84 Bears featured the defense that would fully mature the following season and win Super Bowl XX.
The Bears recorded 11 sacks on that day to leave Archie Manning even more bloodied and bowed than Namath was on the same field in 1977.
How cruel would it be for Peyton Manning to be manhandled here Sunday by a lesser defense the way his father was by a better defense?
Beating up on a 39-year-old with a beat-up foot, rib and shoulder isn't much fun even in an inhumane sport like football.
Revenge for XLI would be sweet but not by driving another ancient Manning into the Soldier Field turf.
Hopefully, Bears fans, you circled Sunday in pencil.