In the Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps performed like no other American athlete ever has.
He won a record eight gold medals in one Olympics and set seven world records. For the month of August, Phelps was the face of America.
At the end of the year, when you step back and reflect on 2008 you'll think Phelps.
His ridiculous workout ethic and tremendous dedication to greatness makes him the best athlete of 2008.
Eli Manning owned 2008.
He won 14 of 15 games in the calendar year so far as part of the best team in football, he won a Super Bowl, and he was named that game's MVP.
Manning is in the elite class of quarterbacks and pulled off one of the most amazing runs in football history in the playoffs.
He led the Giants to a win over the Patriots, the so-called "best team ever," in one of the biggest upsets in sports history. And he is only getting better.
Marc: In the 2008 Olympics, Michael Phelps showed the world how much of an athlete he is. From the very minute he arrived in China, Phelps dominated the pool.
Jake: This was Eli Manning's year. He has gone 14-1 to this point, won a Super Bowl, been named a Super Bowl MVP and has made his team the best team in the NFL.
Marc: OK, so Manning has the best team in the NFL - big deal. Phelps has made American swimming the best in the entire world.
Jake: Manning defeated the "greatest team ever assembled," the New England Patriots, in the Super Bowl with one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
Marc: True - and I thank him for that every day. I hate the Patriots. But if you think about it, Phelps beat the current best swimmers in the world.
Jake: Which is impressive. However Manning led the Giants to road wins at the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Packers during the 2008 playoffs. And then he led the Giants to a win over New England. Four wins like that don't happen in the NFL, they just don't.
Marc: No, they don't. But just imagine how difficult it was for Phelps to win a record eight gold medals in China - especially when the Chinese-U.S. relations haven't been that great. At least Manning was playing on American soil.
Jake: But then Manning did something that Phelps can't. He has improved in the same year and made his team ever better. The Giants are 11-1 to this point, Manning has thrown 19 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. He is still improving. Phelps had his moment, Manning continues to have his.
Marc: OK, so you got me there. They're not exactly having national swimming meets every Sunday. But tell me that Phelps isn't still working as hard as he can in the off season to get better. The man is a workout machine.
Jake: We also wouldn't be talking if Manning somehow, fought his way out of two sacks, scrambled and lofted the ball down the field to David Tyree. The play will be replayed for ever, he has put his name in football legend, which is a tad bit bigger then swimming folklore.
Marc: All popularity contests aside, the simple fact is Phelps won eight gold medals. Eight medals that proved Phelps was the single greatest swimmer in the world. Not only that, but Phelps set seven world records at those games as well. I'd take eight hunks of gold and seven world records over an NFL championship any day.
Jake: I would take two giant (no pun intended) trophies and a ring instead. That's what Manning picked up in 2008: a Super Bowl trophy, a Super Bowl MVP trophy and a Super Bowl ring. Manning had a 2008 to remember and it looks like 2009 in shaping up for a great year too. Will we see Phelps in 2009?
Marc: Well, that's just not fair. Granted we won't see Phelps in the pool until 2012, you're sure to see him in some Visa or AT&T laptop connect commercials. Not only is Phelps a great athlete, he's a great actor - but that's beside the point.
Jake: Oh, great. Maybe I can check those commercials out when I watch Manning lead the Giants over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl.
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