Archie Manning
Elisha Archibald Manning III (born May 19, 1949) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982. He also had brief stints with the Houston Oilers and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Manning is the patriarch of the Manning football dynasty, having preceded sons Peyton and Eli as successful NFL quarterbacks.
This article is about the former American football quarterback. For his grandson, see Arch Manning.No. 8, 4
May 19, 1949
Drew, Mississippi, U.S.
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
212 lb (96 kg)
Ole Miss (1968–1970)
3,642
3,642
2,011
55.2%
125–173
23,911
67.1
2,197
18
Early life[edit]
Born in Drew, Mississippi, Manning was the son of Jane Elizabeth (née Nelson) and Elisha Archibald Manning Jr. He grew up heavily involved in football, basketball, baseball, and track. His father, known as "Buddy", was interested in Archie's sports activities, but the nature of his job left him little if any time for attending games. Instead, Archie III drew his inspiration from a local high school sports star, James Hobson.[1] His mother was "a ubiquitous presence at all of his games, no matter what the sport or level."[2] Manning attended Drew High School.[3] Manning was selected in the Major League Baseball draft four times, first in 1967 by the Braves, twice by the White Sox, and finally by the Royals in 1971.[4] In the summer of 1969, his father, Buddy Manning, committed suicide. Archie, who was home from college for summer vacation, was the first to discover Buddy's body. In the biopic-documentary Book of Manning, Manning said that he considered dropping out and getting a job to support his mother and sister, but his mother persuaded him to return to college and not put his rising football career to waste.
Post-NFL career[edit]
Manning continues to make his home in New Orleans, though he also owns a condo in Oxford, Mississippi, to which he relocated following Hurricane Katrina. He has served as an analyst with the Saints' radio and television broadcasts, and has worked as a commentator for CBS Sports' college football broadcasts. Archie has also appeared as a commercial spokesman for products in Southeast Louisiana, where he remains popular with many fans. Working with his three sons, Cooper, Peyton, and Eli, Archie hosts the Manning Passing Academy each summer. This camp brings together young players from grades 8–12 who work with high school coaches and college players.[17] In 2007, Manning was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award by the Boy Scouts of America.[18] The Silver Buffalo is the highest award given for service to youth on a national basis.
In 2007, Manning was hired as a spokesman for a United Parcel Service contest to promote its "Delivery Intercept" service. He appeared in an advertising campaign for the UPS Delivery Intercept Challenge Video Contest, which saw amateur videos of football interceptions from high school and youth games.[19] Among the prizes were a tailgate party with Manning as well as Manning-autographed footballs.
In October 2013, Manning was selected to be one of the 13 inaugural members of The College Football Playoff Selection Committee.[20] He is one of three appointees who are members of the College Football Hall of Fame.[21]
In 2014, for health reasons, he stepped down from the College Football Playoff Committee.[22][23]
Manning owns a football-themed restaurant called Manning's Sports Bar and Grill, located in Harrah's New Orleans.[24]