Everybody knows who Peyton Manning is.  Not many people know who Ryan Lilja is.  But Manning sure does.

Lilja is the left guard on the Colts’ offensive line, the unit charged with keeping Manning upright and giving him time to throw.  Considering The NFL’s top quarterback was sacked a mere 10 times this year, the guys in the trenches are clearly doing their jobs.

Manning rewards them, of course, and not just with points, wins and compliments in the press.  Every year, Lilja and the other offensive linemen get a gift from Manning, ranging from dinners to new suits.  Though they have no right to expect these every year, Lilja says they sort of do, because they know the type of guy Manning is and how much he appreciates what they do.

I asked Lilja if he ever gave a Christmas-type wish list to Manning.
He laughed.

I asked Lilja if he will get a cut of Manning’s next contract.
He chuckled.

I asked him what he wanted this year.
His response was serious.  “A Super Bowl ring,” Lilja said.

There’s no doubt that would be the ultimate gift.

-Jake Stevens

THERE IT IS!

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