Is Peyton Manning or Tom Brady the GOAT? Ray Lewis Gives His Take

In a recent interview, Hall-of-Fame linebacker Ray Lewis gave his opinion on whether quarterbacks Peyton Manning or Tom Brady is the Greatest of All Time.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, right, meets with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after a game at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 21, 2010. The Colts lost 31-28. / © Matt Detrich/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former linebacker and NFL Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis displayed some of the most brutal and efficient performances on the gridiron during his 17 years with the Baltimore Ravens.

He played in 228 games and compiled 2,059 tackles (99 for loss), 41.5 sacks, 96 passes defended, 31 interceptions, and 19 fumbles forced. Needless to say, Lewis was dominant when on the field and maintained that level for a long time. 

The former two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion had an interview with Rob Lepelstat of STAT Sports. During one segment, Lewis tells Lepelstat that a familiar name from the Indianapolis Colts is who he regards as the greatest ever at his position. 

"I would say from a quarterback, from a student level of the game, [Manning] made me alter my game," Lewis said. "He made me watch more film and that's what I call the GREATEST quarterback, to me, me and his battle. Brady, of course, rings, but when you talk about just walking out there and seeing a man knowing that, whoo, here we go again, Peyton Manning was rough."

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A player who needs no introduction, Peyton Manning terrorized NFL defenses as a member of the Colts and Denver Broncos for 18 seasons. However, his record against Lewis’ Ravens is one to behold. According to StatMuse, Manning was 9-2 during the regular season against the Ravens throughout his career (6-2 with the Colts) and 2-1 in the playoffs (2-0 with the Colts). Not only did Manning dissect a typically difficult Lewis-led defense on multiple occasions, but he also did so with an electric 30 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions through the 14 total games (11 regular, 3 playoff).

To hear such a heralded legend like Lewis talk about his admiration of a quarterback like Manning shows how great of a presence the Hall of Fame passer was. However, Manning hasn’t been with the Colts in some time and has been retired for nearly a decade. 

Now, Indianapolis is putting the future of the franchise into Anthony Richardson‘s hands. With a legendary name like Manning everywhere in Lucas Oil Stadium, Richardson will have no shortage of motivation to become one of the greatest that Indy has ever seen. 

When it’s all said and done, Richardson will hope that the elite defenders of today’s NFL are saying about his career what Lewis said about Manning's. The upcoming 2024 season will tell the league and the Colts faithful a lot about Richardson and where his trajectory could land.  

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