Triumphing over obstacles has made these NFL brothers who they are

There are approximately three hundred sets of brothers in the NFL.  Out of all of these men there are plenty who have interesting stories and admirable character but three pairs of brothers, in particular, are worth mention.  It can certainly be difficult for brothers to play opposite one another in one of the most fiercely competitive sports ever created.  While playing NFL football might strain even the best of brotherly relationships, causing them to be tense and competitive with one another but the Manning, Ayanbadejo, and Barber brothers all seem to present a united attempt. 

 

As a younger brother, Eli Manning has always admired Peyton and all that he has accomplished.  In fact, Eli intends to duplicate the success that his older sibling has had.  He watches as his older brother sets records, demonstrates strong leadership, and has landed quite a bit of advertising in the media. Peyton and Eli definitely have an advantage over other brother duos in the NFL.  Their father, Archie Manning, has given them a strong legacy in the game and the management of a career.  The elder Manning was a football virtuoso in college and obviously passed on his athletic prowess to his sons.  Archie was nominated for the Heisman Trophy twice and in 1971 was the second overall pick in the NFL draft.  Even though his career in the NFL was less than impressive, the boys' father had what it took to be a leader and star footballer.  He now enjoys a career that is still related to football.  Archie runs a football camp that Eli and Peyton help him with every summer.  Football is truly a family sport for these men! 

 

Brendan and Femi Ayanbadejo are another pair of brothers who say that their relationship is paramount over their wins and losses. These men cheer one another on in every endeavor and only wish for the others loss when their teams go head to head!  In fact, Femi, older than his brother by eighteen months, plays running back for the Arizona Cardinals and younger brother Brendon is a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.  Both brothers struggled to become noticed by the NFL (although Femi was recruited much sooner than Femi was) and were undrafted free agents for quite a while.  They finally were picked up by NFL coaches with an eye for talent but the road was long and hard for the two men. In 2003, the brothers were teammates for a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins but that has changed and they now face off against one another.  Three times they have been opposite one another on the field but Femi and Brendon say that it is not a big deal.  Their relationship stays strong even amidst the desire to win every game they play, no matter who the competition is.

 

Tiki and Ronde Barber, as twins, are an even more unique pair of football players.  Tiki, like Brendon Ayanbadejo, has had a more difficult road to success than his brother Ronde has.  Even though Tiki played college football well, after playing NCAA football for the University of Virginia, he was at first denied the opportunity to play for the NFL. Because he and his twin were born prematurely, Tiki is somewhat undersized for a football player at five foot ten inches. But despite his slight stature, he was the leader for total yards gained in his ninth season with the NFL.  Ronde now plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tiki's last team was the New York Giants.  In February of 2005, the brothers were able to unite as teammates in the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii.  Tiki retired after this season and has begun the move into a career in broadcasting.  Ronde still plans to stick with the NFL for a while longer.  Both the Barber brothers show solid character and wise decision making.  These characteristics will take both of them far.

 

NFL players truly have achieved star status now, simply because of their visibility.  The media is always hunting up a new story about the player's lives off of the field.  Certainly, the scrutiny that Michael Vick has recently come under is an excellent example of that, although his decisions and actions have led to his present troubles.  The Barber, Manning, and Ayanbadejo brothers have all put forth an excellent face to the media, limiting the negative press they have had to endure.  Lets hope that these men will continue to live wisely and quietly while they are in the public's eye.  Their options will be unlimited if they do.