All Shook Up Over Handshakes

Peyton Manning did not shake hands with our photographer either before leaving Sun Life Stadium

Following the upset loss to the New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV, there's been a lot of talk about what Peyton Manning did. Most of the chatter has been centered around the interception that Manning threw, which was returned 74-yards for a touchdown by Saints' defensive back (and IU graduate), Tracy Porter.

That fourth quarter play, which essentially ended any hopes for the Indianapolis Colts while securing the first Super Bowl championship in New Orleans Saints franchise history, was followed by another move that has some calling Peyton Manning a 'poor sport'. After the game ended, Manning walked off the field at Sun Life Stadium without congratulating Drew Brees (or any other Saints players or coaches).

No postgame handshake, no high (or low) fives, no fist-bumps, no 'point and go's' and not even a 'bro hug double back-tap combo'. Peyton bolted for the locker room with his helmet still on.

I don't know if Peyton Manning is a sore loser or not. But I am pretty certain that, if so, he's self-aware of his public image enough to be sure not to appear in that manner. Especially on such a grand stage while knowing that most of the world is watching him.

Manning said after the game, "I certainly know how it was three years ago when we won and there's not much consolation for the guys that didn't win. There's the stage being set up, and the celebration, and it's the time for the Saints to celebrate. It's their field. They deserve the moment. But I certainly congratulate all their players and the Saints organization."

Indeed, Peyton Manning did call Drew Brees to congratulate the MVP from Super Bowl XLIV. Said Brees: "Peyton's a class guy."

Take his word for it, even if you didn't get to see for yourself.

Last May, after his Cleveland Cavaliers lost in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron James walked off the court without shaking hands with Dwight Howard or any of the other members of the Orlando Magic.

Like Peyton Manning, James reached out to his victorious opponents after their initial celebration was well over. Only, James didn't make a phone call to Dwight Howard. Rather, King James sent an email to Howard congratulating him on advancing to the 2008-09 NBA Finals.

Oh, kids these days and their modern ways of communicating.

It's been almost 20 years since the "Bad Boys Pistons" lived up to their name and 9 of their 12 players (including Isiah Thomas) walked off the court with 14 seconds left in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals as they were being swept by the Chicago Bulls.

Maybe they should have sent a fax to Michael Jordan and his Bulls teammates after the Pistons recognized their mistake?

Some postgame handshakes are less honorable then had it been skipped all together. Remember Bill Belichick "congratulating" Tony Dungy after the Patriots lost to the Colts?

Bill Belichick made sure to offer Tom Coughlin a hurried handshake after the New York Giants upset the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Then, 'Darth Hoodie" disappeared from the field of the University of Phoenix Stadium with 1-second still remaining on the game clock.

And while this display of poor sportsmanship during a postgame handshaking tradition wasn't broadcast live to millions, it soon may have that many views on YouTube.com because of its shock appeal.

What's my suggestion?

I say we get hip with the times and take a lead from one of the Bud Lite campaigns that debuted during Super Bowl XLI. Skip the handshakes, hugs or even the fist-bumps with a new postgame tradition that's more fitting for true competitors.