PATS16NO
A few points fundamental to sports & sportsmanship ...
1. You damn well better respect ALL of your opponents. Otherwise you've got a giant helping of Humble Pie on its way.
2. Everyone who makes it onto any NFL team, in any capacity, has shown himself to be "elite" & worthy of respect. Do you think that the MVP of Superbowl 48, one of the most accomplished QBs in the league (Russell Wilson) "can't respect" an undrafted, rookie free agent cornerback, who never got to play for a Div I team, and currently earns the "league minimum", less than 1/50th of Wilson's own salary?
3. Peyton's career achievements have earned him huge amounts of respect.
4. Every single time you denigrate an opponent, you also denigrate any/all victories over them.
5. "Respect" is NOT the same thing as "fear".
6. Do you think that Larry Bird didn't respect Magic Johnson, even when the Celtics carried a decisive edge in wins over the Lakers? Do you think that Bill Russell didn't respect Wilt Chamberlin, even tho Russ owned Wilt on the court?
7. There is someone who has a unique insight into Peyton's football skills: Tom Brady. Do you think that TB doesn't respect Peyton? You don't have to guess. TB has expressed himself very clearly on this subject. Perhaps you ought to give TB's opinion on the matter a little more weight.
8. Respecting others does NOT demean yourself. It's exactly the opposite. ALL people who are worthy of respect, GIVE respect at every opportunity.
It used to be called "sportsmanship".
Here's a suggestion: Try it on for size. For, say, a year.
Try to look at everyone around you, & find reasons to respect them. And then express it to them.
Cops, soldiers, teachers, doctors (yeah, they're easy) ... but also waitresses, school crossing guards & the guys who pick up the trash. Do you know where you'd be without them?
The guy that will have earned (& will get) the most increase in respect from others as a result of this experiment: You.
Just my $0.02 worth...