The key play in the Indianapolis Colts’ Super Bowl XLIV loss was the interception that Peyton Manning threw on a pass intended for Reggie Wayne.
And so it’s no surprise that Manning and Wayne weren’t in particularly good spirits after the game, and that they went straight to the locker room instead of sticking around on the field afterward to offer post-game handshakes to the Saints.
But while it may not be surprising, Manning has been accused of “poor sportsmanship” for going to the leaving the field before offering congratulations to the Saints. And Wayne said he may have gotten to the locker room even more quickly than Manning.
“I didn’t even watch them celebrate,’' Wayne said. “I was one of the first ones in the locker room. They’re probably still out there. That’s the way it goes when you win the Super Bowl. You stay out there. When you lose, you go to the locker room.’'
Manning didn’t give a post-game hug to Saints quarterback Drew Brees, but he said he’d call Brees to say congratulations.
“The stage is being set up for the celebration and it was time for the Saints to celebrate at midfield,” Manning said. “They deserved the moment.’'