Two Christian Quarterbacks Faceoff in Upcoming Super Bowl XLVIII

Aimee Herd : Jan 23, 2014
Jeff Schapiro – Christian Post

"I pray every night, sometimes long prayers about a lot of things and a lot of people, but I don't talk about it or brag about it because that's between God and me, and I'm no better than anybody else in God's sight." -Peyton Manning

There's an interesting dichotomy, in this year's Super Bowl. (Photo via NY Post)

The brilliant NFL veteran (16 years), Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos)—who was called the "most respected quarterback" in the NFL this year and arguably the "best ever" to play the game—up against the young and talented Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks)—only in his 2nd year in the NFL, and who actually attended the "Peyton Manning Passing Academy" when he was younger.

Peyton Manning stands a lofty 6'5"; Wilson is 5'11".

Manning is 37-years-old, Wilson just 25.

But there are similarities too, and these are the ones that really matter.

They are both devoted Christians.

It's not hard to find out where Russell Wilson is regarding his faith, "Jesus is everything, He'll meet you right where you're at," he said, in a Gospel Herald interview.

Manning's heart for the Lord is no less passionate, just more personal and less obvious in public, according to a Christian Post report.

"Some players get more vocal about it—the Reggie Whites, for example—and some point to Heaven after scoring a touchdown and praise God after games," Peyton said in a book he co-wrote with his father, Archie, published back in 2001. "I have no problem with that. But I don't do it, and don't think it makes me any less a Christian. I just want my actions to speak louder, and I don't want to be more of a target for criticism than I already am." (Photo via Seattle Times)

Manning (who says he doesn't pray for victory, but for safety of the players on both sides) takes to heart some good advice given by his father—advice that many sports figures would do well to remember:

"Dad says it can take twenty years to make a reputation, and five minutes to ruin it," writes Manning in the book. I want my reputation to be able to make it through whatever five-minute crises I run into. And I'm a lot more comfortable knowing where my help is."

This year's Super Bowl will be held on Sunday, February 2nd, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. It will be Peyton's 3rd time at the big event, and Russell's first.