Super Bowl 50 kicks off Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST when the Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers from Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The sporting world will be tuned in to see whether Peyton Manning can become the oldest winning quarterback in Super Bowl history or Cam Newton can become the first Heisman Trophy winner to claim an NCAA championship and Super Bowl ring.
As soccer’s popularity has grown in the United States there has been significant crossover between the NFL and the world’s great soccer leagues. This past season, the NFL played three regular season games at Wembley Stadium in London. Dabbing, Cam Newton’s signature celebration, has made its way on to European pitches while NFL players have begun to trade jerseys after games like they do in the beautiful game.
There is even a website that morphs the two sports by designing European football badges for each NFL team.
Because the Super Bowl might be the first American football many of our readers watch this year, we have put together a quick guide finding comparisons for the important players in the big game from the world of football:
Peyton Manning: John Terry
The Sheriff and JT have much in common. Both are students of the game whose best years are behind them. Manning and Terry have had their fair share of individual and team accolades. Terry was named UEFA Club Defender of the Year in 2005, 2008 and 2009 and has guided Chelsea to four Premier League titles, five FA Cups and a memorable Champions League triumph (when he was suspended).
Manning hasn’t had the club success that Terry has experienced with only one Super Bowl ring (so far) but Peyton owns five MVP awards along with two NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards and pretty much every statistical record kept for quarterbacks. Both have had their fair shares of disappointment. Peyton has lost two Super Bowls and John…well.
Emmanuel Sanders: Neymar
Both are incredibly fast in the open field with deadly quickness in close quarters, and while Sanders is hardly the worldwide star that Neymar is they share many other qualities. While Neymar is two inches shorter than Sanders, both have slight frames that have been known to take a beating.
Neymar missed the semifinal and final of the World Cup after suffering a fractured vertebra. Sanders, who shows no fear across the middle, has also taken his fair share of huge shots.
Von Miller: Manuel Neuer
Von Miller leads the best defense in the NFL. Miller does everything from rushing the passer to stopping the run to dropping back in coverage to pick off a pass. While “defense wins championships” is gospel in the NFL it has not been adopted by the greats of world football, with one notable exception, Manuel Neuer! The German keeper who fancies himself as an outfield player isn’t afraid to leave the 18-yard box and act as sweeper for his club or country. Both Neuer and Miller are gamechangers.
Cam Newton: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cam Newton is the new face of the NFL. His game is all about power, speed and athleticism. Newton is so good that, at times, he can carry his entire team to victory. The mix of physicality, clutch play and style that are Newton’s hallmarks is very reminiscent of CR7.
Ronaldo, winner of multiple Ballon d’Ors, Premier League titles, La Liga championships and Champions League trophies is a beast! And he can (maybe) dunk. Of course, Cam can fly.
Luke Kuechly: Sergio Ramos
When it comes to anchoring a defense, few are better in the NFL than Luke Kuechly. The Panthers linebacker is a perfect combination of strength, speed and intelligence. Basically, Kuechly is always in position and always makes the play when needed. Sergio Ramos plays the same role for club and country. Real Madrid and the Spanish National Team lean on Ramos to organize their defenses and bail them out with critical tackles. Just don’t put Ramos in charge of carrying the trophy!
Demaryius Thomas: Gareth Bale
Demaryius Thomas is a gamechanger with great size, speed and skill but he can also disappear at vital times of games. Thomas, who led the Broncos with 1,304 receiving yards this year, also led Denver with 10 drops. Demaryius can wow you with a one-handed catch and then This inconsistency drives Bronco fans crazy and makes Thomas the focus of withering criticism.
Gareth Bale is the fastest footballer in the world with the ball. And while the Welshman had some success after his arrival from England for a world record transfer fee of over 100 million Euros anytime Real Madrid struggles Bale is the focus of the criticism with calls for his sale, benching or sentencing to Elba.
No one is Lionel Messi
Not in the NFL at least. Steph Curry has a good argument though.
Enjoy the Super Bowl and Go Broncos!!! (Editor's note: writer opinions on the Broncos do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The18.com, but we don't have any writers who are Panthers fans. Sorry, not sorry.)
