The Making of a Quarterback: Archie Manning's Formative Years

Archie Manning, a name synonymous with football excellence, left an indelible mark on the sport. Before his sons Peyton and Eli dominated the NFL, Archie carved his own path, demonstrating remarkable talent and resilience. This article delves into the formative years of Archie Manning, highlighting his early life, collegiate career, and the experiences that shaped him into a football icon.

Early Life and Athletic Prowess

Born on May 19, 1949, in Drew, Mississippi, Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning III displayed exceptional athletic ability from a young age. Excelling in football, basketball, track, and baseball at Drew High School, he even started on the varsity baseball team at 13. The Atlanta Braves drafted him after his senior season, a testament to his baseball skills. However, Manning's passion for football and his commitment to education led him to accept an athletic scholarship to the University of Mississippi, where he would play under the guidance of Hall of Fame Coach Johnny Vaught.

Collegiate Career at Ole Miss

Manning's collegiate career at Ole Miss was nothing short of remarkable. In between his freshman and sophomore year, Manning landed the starting quarterback job, becoming the first sophomore ever entrusted with the role by Coach Vaught in his previous 21 years. Prior to his junior season, Manning faced a severe test when his father committed suicide in the summer of 1969. Despite this personal tragedy, he demonstrated remarkable composure and continued to excel on the field.

1969 Season: A Star Emerges

The 1969 season was a breakout year for Manning. In one of the first nationally televised college football games, he threw for 436 yards and rushed for 104 against Alabama. Although Ole Miss lost that game 33-32, Manning's performance became legendary. He scored 14 touchdowns that year, earning him All-SEC honors and the Nashville Banner Trophy as the Southeastern Conference's Most Valuable Player. He also won the Walter Camp Memorial Trophy and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Accolades and Records

Manning continued his stellar play in 1970, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting. His career totals included 4,753 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, along with 823 rushing yards. He led Ole Miss to a 34-17 victory over Virginia Tech in the 1968 Liberty Bowl. In the 1970 Sugar Bowl, he earned offensive MVP honors, passing for 273 yards and a touchdown and rushing for another score while guiding Ole Miss to a 27-22 upset win against Arkansas. In the 1971 Gator Bowl, he played against Auburn with a plastic sheath encasing his left arm, which he had broken several weeks earlier against Houston.

Manning ended his career with 5,576 yards of total offense, and he accounted for a then-school-record 56 touchdowns. He still holds several school records, with a number of his previous records having been broken by his son, Eli, who quarterbacked the Rebels from 2000-03.

Legacy at Ole Miss

Archie Manning's impact on Ole Miss football is undeniable. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989, and his number 18 was retired by the Rebels. The university even set the speed limit on campus to 18 mph in his honor. He is a member of the Ole Miss Team of the Century (1893-1992) and SEC All-Century Team. He was named an SEC Legend in 1998.

NFL Career with the New Orleans Saints

Manning's talent and potential were evident, leading the New Orleans Saints to select him with the second overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft. The Drew, Miss. native was drafted by the Saints in the first round (second overall) of the 1971 NFL Draft out of Mississippi. Manning was immediately thrusted into the lineup, starting 10 of the 12 games he appeared in during his rookie campaign. His breakout season came in 1972 during his sophomore season, when he started all 14 games, completing 230-of-448 passes for 2781 yards and 18 touchdowns. In 1979, Manning led the infant franchise to their first .500 season as he went 252-of-420 for 3,169 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning him a spot on the Pro Bowl roster for the second consecutive year. Overall, Manning played ten full seasons for New Orleans and missed one due to a shoulder injury. He played in 134 games with 129 starts, accumulating career totals of 1,849-of-3,335 passes for 21,734 yards and 115 touchdowns.

Challenges and Recognition

Despite playing for a struggling franchise, Manning earned respect from his peers and fans alike. He was sacked 337 times during his Saints career, but some opposing defensive linemen were known to take it easy on him due to the team's poor protection. In 1978, he was named the NFC Most Valuable Player by UPI after leading the Saints to a 7-9 record. Manning was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1978 and 1979. He finished his career with the Houston Oilers (1982-1983) and the Minnesota Vikings (1983-1984). He ended his 13-year career having completed 2,011 of 3,642 passes for 23,911 yards, 125 touchdowns, and 173 interceptions. He also rushed for 2,197 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 2,011 completions ranked 17th in NFL history upon his retirement.

Post-Football Career and Legacy

Following his retirement from football, Manning settled in New Orleans. He has served as an analyst with Saints' television and radio broadcasts, and has worked as a commentator for CBS Sports' college football broadcasts. Manning and his wife Oliva have three sons - Cooper, Peyton and Eli - who he runs the Manning Passing Academy with, which develops young players from grades 8-12 by having them work with high school coaches and college players, while raising money for Special Olympics of Southeast Louisiana. For 25 years, Manning also hosted golf tournaments with his name in Louisiana and Mississippi to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis research. Payton and Eli were signal callers in the National Football League for the Colts, Broncos and Giants, winning two Super Bowls apiece and now star in the Manningcast on ESPN2 and ESPN+, where they provide an alternate broadcast on select Monday Night Football games. In honor of the football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli, the Allstate Sugar Bowl created the Manning Award to go to the nation's best college quarterback. Archie also has a grandson, Arch, who currently plays quarterback for the University of Texas.

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Family and the Manning Passing Academy

Archie and Olivia Manning raised three sons: Cooper, Peyton, and Eli. Cooper's football career was cut short due to spinal stenosis, but Peyton and Eli went on to become Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks in the NFL. The Manning family established the Manning Passing Academy in 1996, a testament to their commitment to developing young football players.

Community Involvement and Recognition

Archie Manning's contributions extend beyond the football field. He has been actively involved in numerous charitable organizations, including the Boy Scouts, Special Olympics, and the United Way. His dedication to community service has earned him numerous accolades, including the Byron "Whizzer" White Humanitarian Award.

Arch Manning: Carrying on the Legacy

Archie Manning's grandson, Arch Manning, is currently a quarterback for the University of Texas, carrying on the family's football legacy.

High School Career

Arch Manning played high school football at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. In his freshman year, Manning was the varsity starter at quarterback, the first freshman quarterback to start Newman's season opener in at least 40 years. He shone in his debut, leading Newman to a 26-point victory. In the final game of the season against Dunham, Manning threw for only 71 yards on 20 attempts and 10 completions. Manning opened his sophomore season by having six touchdowns against East Jefferson. On October 15, 2020, he made his national television debut in a game against Booker T. Washington, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more. In a game where Newman beat Cohen, 76-0, Manning passed for 169 yards and five touchdowns in the first quarter of action before being pulled from the game.

College Career at Texas

Manning made his 2024 season debut against Colorado State when he entered the game in relief of Ewers during the third quarter while the Longhorns had a 38-0 lead. Manning finished with five completions for 95 yards and a touchdown. He also added a rushing touchdown. Against UTSA, Ewers left with an abdominal injury in the second quarter forcing Manning to come into the game with a 14-0 lead. On his first play of the game, Manning threw a 19-yard touchdown to DeAndre Moore. Two plays later, he rushed for a 67-yard touchdown to put the Longhorns ahead 28-7. After Manning threw a 75-yard strike to freshman wide receiver Ryan Wingo to go up 42-7, he added another passing touchdown in the fourth quarter to go up 49-7 before being relieved by freshman Trey Owens. Manning was named the starting quarterback for the preseason #1 Texas Longhorns heading into the 2025 season. In the first game against the defending national champion #3 Ohio State Buckeyes, Manning struggled as he completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, a touchdown, and an interception as the Longhorns lost 14-7 on the road. In the Week 4 win against Sam Houston, Manning completed 18 of 21 passes for 309 yards, three passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns, becoming the fourth Texas quarterback with at least two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns in a game. In Week 9 against Mississippi State, Manning completed 29 of 46 passes for 346 yards, three passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown.

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