Peyton Manning reminds NFL fans of why their rivalry was so fun in roast of Tom Brady

Peyton Manning and Tom Brady formed undeniably the greatest quarterback rivalry in football history.  The two defined a generation of championship runs and MVP level play at the same time.  

And between two of the most competitive and driven people to play the game, there was a mix of respect, competition, and dislike that drove that feud.  Brady ultimately claimed seven Super Bowl titles and three league MVP awards.  Manning took home two Super Bowl titles and a league record five MVP awards.  

With their careers in the rearview mirror, how do they still view themselves?  If the roast of Tom Brady on Netflix was any indication, where Manning made a late cameo, it's still pretty spicy. 

Manning was the last "roaster" to show up on Sunday night before Brady took the podium to make his comments.  

Manning took an early jab at Bill Belichick, who was in attendance.  He had some fun with Belichick's struggles at quarterback after Brady left. 

"For those that don't know, coach is going to be doing some work on Eli and my Monday Night Football show this year," Manning said.  "I've got to tell you, it's going to be awesome.  Eli and I are super excited, and it's going to give Coach Belichick something he hasn't had in a while: the chance to be around quarterbacks that he respects." 

Manning then turned his sights back to his primary rival. 

"Honestly, it is great to be here with a bunch of people sitting around talking smack about Tom Brady.  Or as we call that in the Manning family: Thanksgiving.  True story, after spending several Thanksgivings with my parents, my kids now excuse themselves to use the bathroom by saying 'I have to go take a Brady.'

"Of course, we all know Tom has five more Super Bowl rings than I do.  He also has more touchdowns than I do.  More passing yards.  More retirements.  More fake hair.  More TB12 bankruptcies.  That is all true, okay?  But I remember once that Tom told me, 'Peyton, numbers don't matter.'  Sure, it was right before he deleted every number in his phone because the NFL investigators were about to kick down his door, but it was still nice of him to say."

Manning couldn't help but also get a dig in on Brady on behalf of his brother, Eli, who is the only quarterback to defeat Tom Brady more than once in the Super Bowl.  

"One thing that Tom and I definitely have in common though is our love for the game of golf.  And listen, not to brag, we're both pretty good players.  My handicap is a 6.4, while Tom's handicap is blowing leads in the Super Bowl to my brother Eli." 

Manning, the first overall pick of the 1998 NFL Draft, got in one final dig at Brady, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft with the 199th overall pick.  

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is almost time for the guest of honor to defend himself.  The last time Tom Brady had to wait this long to get on stage, it was the 2000 NFL Draft." 

Manning called Brady to the podium, who embraced before Manning left the stage.  Then, it was Brady's turn to deliver a dig. 

"Thank you so much for coming out to LA to do this," Brady said.  "I know sometimes you live in Denver and sometimes you live in Louisiana, but you'll always live in my shadow."

Two legends of the game, one night of fun at each other's expense.  The gold standard of football rivalries is alive and well in 2024.