New England Patriots Op/Ed: Tom Brady and Peyton Manning can’t be friends

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady revealed that he is actually great friends with Peyton Manning. This can’t be the truth.

This can’t be true. My whole life has been a lie. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady revealed that he is actually great friends with retired quarterback Peyton Manning.

The two were supposed to be bitter rivals. They have been involved in so many classic battles. For a while it seemed like the duo were constantly going head to head.

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win

Brady and Manning were battling week in and week out for QB supremacy. How on Earth can these guys be friends?

I have hated Peyton Manning my entire life. I’m pretty sure all of New England has too. The fact that these guys are best friends is mindblowing.

Now what do I do? Do I know have to like Peyton Manning because Tom Brady does? I’m having an identity crisis.

We have seen stuff like this across the sports landscape. In basketball, we are seeing players join teams just so they can play with their friends. Even in the NFL, we are seeing players are doing jersey swaps after every single day.

Call me old fashioned, but I yearn for the days of Magic and Bird duking it out. When it seemed like players actually hated their opponents.

It seems like those days are gone. Everyone has to be friends and take pictures after the game. Where have the rivalries gone?

So we now live in a world where Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are best friends. They probably grab a coffee every week and play a round of golf.

Next thing we will be hearing that Zdeno Chara and Carey Price enjoy seeing a movie every once in a while. Maybe Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts vacation together during the offseason?

New England Patriots fans will never be the same after hearing this. The only thing that will stay the same is their hatred for anyone with the last name Manning.