Peyton Manning is used to performing in front of a hostile crowd, so last night in Irvine Auditorium the Super Bowl MVP felt out of his element when he received a standing ovation before saying a word.
"I have to admit that I feel more comfortable here in Philly when people start booing me . so feel free to do that or hit me in the back after I finish this speech," he joked. "I'd be more in my comfort zone, although everybody's been really nice, almost as nice as the Eagles' secondary used to be to me."
Manning spoke to the sold-out crowd about his journey to the Super Bowl as SPEC Conaissance's spring speaker, highlighting what he felt to be the milestones on his road to success.
The two-time NFL MVP covered a range of topics in the discussion, from his days at Tennessee to which side of the stadium his parents sat on when he faced off against his little brother Eli and the Giants last season.
"I mean, they're pulling for Eli, he's the baby in the family," Manning said with a smile of his parents' allegiances. "Eli played well and the Colts won, so it worked out pretty good."
Manning emphasized that his greatest teacher and role model has been his father, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning, who spent 13 years in the league.
The Super Bowl champ explained that he has heeded his father's advice to be a leader since his early years as quarterback for the Volunteers, sometimes with varying success.
Manning remembered his first big game for Tennessee, when he was summoned from the bench against UCLA as a freshman.
"I remembered something my dad told me, he said 'Son, if you ever get into the huddle at any point in the varsity with the starters, I don't care how old you are, you have got to be the leader,'" Manning said.
Following his father's advice, Manning made his first attempt at directing an offense, only to be grabbed on the shoulder by an older player and told, "'Hey freshman, shut the blank up and call the blanking play' and I said, 'Yes, sir,'" Manning recalled with a laugh.
He's had more than his share of success since, and until recently the only accolade missing from his resume was a Super Bowl win. But after filling his last resume hole, Manning said that his adventure has just begun.
"A long time ago I decided to focus on the journey instead of the destination, because quite frankly, I'm not sure what the ultimate destination is going to be," Manning explained.
As an athlete, Manning struck a different chord than past speakers, such as actor Kevin Smith a year ago. But the crowd warmed up to him quickly.
"He was a great speaker, not just for a football player either; he was very eloquent," Engineering senior Omid Motabar said. "My favorite part was the question-and-answer session. He was very down to earth and funny."
And even after adding a Super Bowl win to his accomplishments, the quarterback's motivation is not the awards or the money, it's playing the game he grew up loving.
"I wouldn't tell the owner of the Colts this," he said, "but I'd play for free."
