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Here’s an early Doyle’s Half Dozen, Super Bowl version, offering six takeaways from last night’s major event.

  1. Peyton’s Postgame Piece Piques Peculiar Pointers

Everybody is happy for Peyton Manning. I am a fan of the veteran quarterback and glad he is finishing, supposedly, his successful career on a high note. This has been an odd season for Manning, as he has looked every bit of a well-seasoned signal caller who is on his proverbial last leg.

Manning is always gracious when he does interviews. I appreciate how he will address the reporter by name and show respect, even when the outcome of the game doesn’t turn out in his favor.

Last night, though, when Manning was asked if this were the final game of his career, he tried to put on the witty charm, but his script caused some mixed reviews.

He said he wanted to kiss his wife, hug his kids and drink a lot of beer, and then he said he will say a prayer and thank the man upstairs. The conservative Christian in me bristled when I heard this. Many claimed it sounded like a line from a weak Country song.

On a night when one of the most popular Super Bowl commercials features Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirran offering a witty oratory against drunk driving, Manning gives off the impression he’s guzzling down the very product Mirran is promoting, yet with cautious parameters. And then to not refer to God directly, rather using a worn-out adage instead, did not warm every heart.

However, Manning still comes across as a loving husband and a caring father. The beer comments had a light-hearted flair, and Manning has never been known as someone who openly professes his faith, so for him to even colloquially acknowledge God is better than offering flowing pharisaical praise and not living a reflective lifestyle.

  1. Newton’s a No-Go on Graciousness

Cam Newton’s day was not a happy one. He and his Carolina Panthers had a rough outing, and then the NFL MVP gave a pouty performance in his postgame press conference.

Newton has already received deserving criticism. I think Deon Sanders summed it up perfectly:

“You are the face of our brand right now, you can’t do that,” the Hall of Fame cornerback said. “I understand the emotions of losing, but you can’t do that. A Manning, a Brady … all these guys who are a prototypical type of quarterback in our game, they’re not going to do that ever. Would Drew Brees ever?

“You’re opening yourself for more criticism. Because everybody is going to say you’re dabbing and smiling and smiling and styling. So this is how you go out when you lose?”

Always show respect for your opponent and always be gracious whether you win or lose. Sanders was right to criticize Newton regarding the quarterback’s popular antics after a touchdown, and then to act like an immature child on the biggest stage can only hinder his reputation.

  1. Commercial Clamor

You probably have your favorite Super Bowl commercial picked out. I was a fan of the sheep singing Queen.

One of the more polarizing commercials was the Doritos ad of the couple having an ultrasound procedure. There’s the goofy expecting dad eating Doritos while the expecting mom gets on to him during the procedure. Their pre-born child reacts to dad moving a Dorito chip. It’s extremely silly with a bizarre early delivery.

I knew this would get the abortion supporters up in arms. And it definitely did. One response involved the phrase “humanizing a fetus.” I can never get the ridiculousness of such callous thinking in regards to the sanctity of life.

Two articles give excellent perspective responding to this outcry. Read them here and here.

And Russell Moore just released his take of the response. Loved these comments:

“The ad didn’t ‘humanize’ the ‘fetus,’ God did.”

“We cannot ‘humanize’ what is already human, but we can certainly dehumanize the humanity around, or within, us.”

  1. Halftime Alternative

Another favorite post-Super Bowl topic is the halftime show. I’m not going to go into controversy surrounding this year’s halftime festivities. Instead I want to give credence to the men’s ministry with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma producing a halftime show featuring Bubba Burcham and Kenyatta and Abraham Wright.

I wrote about the production prior to the Super Bowl, and you can read the article here.

After checking responses from Facebook friends, there seems to be a few groups who watched the 20-minute presentation. And it’s still available and relevant for any small groups. Go to www.menrewired.com to find out more.

  1. Other Broncos Offer God Praise – Directly

Though I scrutinized Peyton Manning’s “man upstairs” comment, there are many other Bronco players who gave God praise and thanks.

Read this piece and check out the tweets from DeMarcus Ware, Max Garcia, Virgil Green and Vance Walker.

  1. Lady Gaga Does It Right

I end this DHD talking about the opening of the Super Bowl. Lady Gaga was chosen to sing the national anthem this year, and the pop star did an exceptional job.

I am one who believes the National Anthem should be sung in such a way that the song itself is the focus more than the performer. And THEN, when done in such a way, the performer deserves a good review.

Even Gaga herself believes this. She was quoted saying performing “The Star Spangled Banner” is one of her highest honors.

“I have to live up to a song that stands the test of time,” she said. “I think the best way to do that is kind of forget about yourself and just focus on what it means.”

Good job, Gaga, good job!