Archie Manning
Archie Manning (born May 19, 1949) is a former American football quarterback who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons from 1971 to 1984, primarily with the New Orleans Saints, where he was selected as the second overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft.[1] Widely regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks of his era despite playing on consistently struggling teams, Manning amassed 23,911 passing yards, 125 touchdowns, and two Pro Bowl selections during his career.[1] He is also the patriarch of the prominent Manning football family, as the father of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, and grandfather to college quarterback Arch Manning, who has emerged as a notable player at the University of Texas.[2] Born in Drew, Mississippi, Manning excelled in multiple sports during his high school years before attending the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he played quarterback from 1968 to 1970.[2] At Ole Miss, he led the Rebels to victories in the 1968 Liberty Bowl and the 1970 Sugar Bowl (where he was named Offensive MVP), and appeared in the 1971 Gator Bowl, while accumulating 4,753 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, and 823 rushing yards.[1] His standout college performances included a 540-yard total offense game against Alabama in 1969, earning him All-SEC honors in 1969 and 1970, SEC Player of the Year in 1969, first-team All-American status in 1969, and finishes of fourth and third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1969 and 1970, respectively.[2] For his collegiate achievements, Manning was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989 and named to the Ole Miss Team of the Century.[1] In the NFL, Manning spent his first 11 seasons (1971–1981) with the expansion-era Saints, with the team achieving 45 wins during his tenure, though he helped lead them to their first .500 season in 1979.[1] He completed 2,011 of 3,642 passes for his career, with 173 interceptions, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1978 and 1979.[1] Later traded to the Houston Oilers (1982–1983) and Minnesota Vikings (1983–1984), Manning retired after the 1984 season and was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1988 and their Ring of Honor.[1] Post-retirement, Manning worked as a broadcaster and analyst for the Saints and CBS, served as an investment broker, and co-founded the Manning Passing Academy in 1993 with his sons to develop young quarterbacks from grades 8 through 12.[1] Married to Olivia Williams since 1971, he and his wife have three sons—Cooper, Peyton, and Eli—and have been active in philanthropy, including hosting annual golf tournaments to support cystic fibrosis research. In February 2025, the family made a significant donation leading to the renaming of Children's Hospital New Orleans as Manning Family Children's.[2][3] Manning also served as chairman of the National Football Foundation from 2007 onward and was awarded the NFF Gold Medal in 2016 for his leadership and contributions to the sport.[2]Early life
Birth and family background
Elisha Archibald Manning III, known as Archie, was born on May 19, 1949, in the small town of Drew, Mississippi, a rural community in the Mississippi Delta region.[4] His father, Elisha Archibald "Buddy" Manning Jr., managed a local farm-machinery business, which provided for the family but demanded long hours that limited his involvement in Archie's early activities.[4] Buddy, a former high school football player himself, showed interest in his son's pursuits despite these constraints, fostering an environment where sports were valued within the tight-knit family, which also included Archie's older sister, Pam.[4] The family's stability was shattered on August 16, 1969, when Buddy, then 59, died by suicide via shotgun, an event Archie discovered upon returning home during a break from college.[4][5] Struggling with health issues following a stroke and financial pressures from the declining business, Buddy's death left a profound emotional scar on the 20-year-old Archie, who grappled with grief amid his rising football prominence.[4] In the aftermath, Archie contemplated withdrawing from the University of Mississippi to take a job and support his mother and sister financially, but Jane "Sis" Manning, his mother, firmly encouraged him to stay in school and pursue his athletic path, demonstrating her role as the family's anchor of resilience.[6][7][8] Sis Manning, a homemaker who later worked as a legal secretary in one of Drew's law offices, maintained household stability through her practical support and emotional guidance, even as she managed the practicalities of life in their modest three-bedroom home across from Drew High School.[4] Her influence helped Archie channel his energies into sports, where he first encountered football through community leagues starting at age six, supported by local enthusiasm in the football-centric Delta culture and family encouragement despite his father's absences.[4] The family remained rooted in Drew following the tragedy, with Sis preserving mementos of Archie's achievements and upholding traditions that emphasized perseverance.[4]High school career
Archie Manning showcased multi-sport talent at Drew High School in Drew, Mississippi, spanning 1963 to 1967, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and track.[2] In football, Manning served as the quarterback for the Drew Pirates in the Delta Valley Conference, guiding the team to a 5-5 record during his senior season in 1966.[9] After the season, he was chosen for the Mississippi High School All-Star Game, where he earned MVP recognition by substituting for the North team and accounting for five touchdowns—four passing and one rushing—in a victory over the South.[10] Manning also starred in basketball as an All-State guard, leading Drew to the state tournament in his senior year and securing the 1966 Coahoma County Basketball Tournament title with upset wins over Greenwood, Clarksdale, and Coahoma.[2][11][10] On the baseball diamond, he began starting on varsity as a 13-year-old freshman and caught the attention of professional scouts, resulting in his selection by the Atlanta Braves in the 43rd round of the 1967 MLB June Amateur Draft straight out of high school.[11][12] His standout high school performances drew recruiting offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Tulane; Manning committed to Ole Miss on a football scholarship on December 10, 1966, during a basketball tournament where a Rebels graduate assistant sealed the deal.[10]College career
Ole Miss Rebels
Archie Manning, a highly touted quarterback from Drew High School in Mississippi, committed to the University of Mississippi in 1966, opting for his home-state program amid interest from several other major universities.[10] As a true freshman in 1968, Manning earned the starting role under head coach Johnny Vaught and guided the Rebels to a 7-3-1 record, culminating in a 34-17 victory over Virginia Tech in the Liberty Bowl.[2] His dual-threat ability—combining precise passing with effective scrambling—quickly established him as a cornerstone of the offense, setting team records for passing yards and efficiency that season.[13] In 1969, Manning's junior year, the Rebels achieved an 8-3 mark, with standout performances including a 38-0 shutout of No. 3 Tennessee in Jackson, a game fueled by pre-match taunts from Volunteers fans wearing "Archie Who?" buttons.[14] This dominant win, part of a season that featured Manning's leadership in high-profile matchups like the nationally televised prime-time game against Alabama, propelled Ole Miss to the Sugar Bowl.[15] There, Manning orchestrated a 27-22 upset over No. 2 Arkansas on January 1, 1970, throwing for key yards and earning MVP honors in a game that highlighted his poise under pressure against a national powerhouse.[16] His play that year further solidified Ole Miss passing records, emphasizing efficiency and big-play potential.[2] Manning's senior season in 1970 brought challenges, as a broken left arm sustained against Houston limited his participation for the rest of the regular season, contributing to a 7-4 finish for the Rebels despite his return for the Gator Bowl.[13] The team faced tough SEC competition, with a narrow 20-17 victory over Kentucky and a 48-23 win over Alabama, but Manning's resilience shone in those triumphs. The year ended with a 28-35 defeat to Auburn in the Gator Bowl, where Manning played through his injury but could not overcome the Tigers' defense.[2][17] Throughout his tenure, Manning's contributions elevated Ole Miss football, setting enduring team benchmarks in passing categories and cementing his legacy as one of the program's most dynamic quarterbacks.[18]College statistics and awards
During his three seasons as the starting quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels from 1968 to 1970, Archie Manning completed 402 of 761 passes for 4,753 yards, with 31 touchdowns and 40 interceptions, achieving a 52.8% completion rate.[19] He also contributed significantly on the ground, rushing for 823 yards and 25 touchdowns over that span.[19] Manning's dual-threat ability was evident in his total offense, amassing 5,576 yards in his career.[15] The following table summarizes Manning's passing statistics by season:| Year | Completions/Attempts | Completion % | Yards | TDs | INTs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 127/263 | 48.3 | 1,510 | 8 | 17 |
| 1969 | 154/265 | 58.1 | 1,762 | 9 | 9 |
| 1970 | 121/233 | 51.9 | 1,481 | 14 | 14 |
| Career | 402/761 | 52.8 | 4,753 | 31 | 40 |
Professional career
New Orleans Saints
Archie Manning was selected by the New Orleans Saints as the second overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft, out of the University of Mississippi, where his standout college performance had positioned him as one of the top quarterback prospects.[22] He quickly became the team's starting quarterback, making his debut in the season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. In his rookie season, Manning appeared in 12 games with 10 starts, passing for 1,164 yards and 6 touchdowns while the Saints finished with a 4–8–2 record, reflecting the franchise's ongoing struggles in its early years.[22][23] Over his 12 seasons with the Saints from 1971 to 1982 (including a partial 1982 season), Manning established himself as the face of the franchise, starting 129 games and throwing for 21,734 yards and 115 touchdowns. His peak performance came in 1978 and 1979, when he earned Pro Bowl selections after leading the team to improved records of 7–9 and 8–8, respectively—the latter marking the Saints' first .500 finish since their inception in 1967.[22][1] In 1978, Manning threw for 3,416 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning him UPI NFC Player of the Year honors despite the team's lack of playoff contention.[22] Despite these individual achievements, Manning's tenure was marked by significant challenges, including consistently poor team performance that resulted in no playoff appearances during his time with the Saints. The franchise endured nine losing seasons in his 10 full years as starter, hampered by inadequate supporting talent, frequent coaching changes, and organizational instability.[24] Trade rumors swirled around Manning throughout the 1970s, with the Saints fielding offers but ultimately retaining him as their cornerstone player amid the expansion team's difficulties.[25] Manning's popularity in New Orleans grew immensely, earning him the affectionate nickname "The Savior" from fans and media who viewed him as the hopeful figure to turn around the beleaguered franchise.[24] His resilience and leadership endeared him to the local community, solidifying his status as a beloved icon even as the team struggled on the field.[26]Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings
In September 1982, the New Orleans Saints traded veteran quarterback Archie Manning to the Houston Oilers in exchange for offensive tackle Leon Gray, who had been holding out and refusing to play under his contract.[25] The Saints, seeking to strengthen their offensive line amid a push toward younger talent at quarterback, including rookie Dave Wilson, viewed the deal as an opportunity to acquire immediate protection while parting ways with the 33-year-old Manning, who had expressed dissatisfaction with the team's direction.[27] Manning appeared in six games for the Oilers that strike-shortened season, starting five, but the team went 0-5 in his starts as he completed 66 of 125 passes for 877 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions.[22] A leg injury limited his effectiveness and contributed to the Oilers' struggles, marking a challenging transition in the twilight of his career.[28] Manning returned for the 1983 season with Houston, starting all three games he played early in the year, but the Oilers again lost all of them, prompting the team to seek draft capital for rebuilding.[22] On September 20, 1983, after an 0-3 start, the Oilers traded Manning—along with tight end Dave Casper—to the injury-plagued Minnesota Vikings in exchange for two 1984 draft picks (a high and a middle-round selection).[29] The Vikings, who had lost starting quarterback Tommy Kramer to a season-ending knee injury, acquired Manning as veteran insurance, though backup Steve Dils retained the starting role.[30] Manning appeared in two games for Minnesota that year without starting or attempting a pass, serving primarily as a reserve amid the team's 9-7 finish.[22] In 1984, Manning's role with the Vikings remained limited, as he dressed for six games and started only two late in the season—both losses—while completing 52 of 94 passes for 545 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Persistent elbow issues hampered his performance and mobility, restricting him to backup duties behind Kramer, who had returned from injury.[32] Following the season, Manning announced his retirement in August 1985, citing the recurring elbow problem as the primary reason after 14 NFL seasons, during which his final two years with Houston and Minnesota yielded no wins in eight combined starts.[33]NFL statistics
Passing statistics
Archie Manning's NFL passing career spanned 13 seasons from 1971 to 1984, primarily with the New Orleans Saints, followed by stints with the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings. Over 139 games started, he completed 2,011 of 3,642 pass attempts for a 55.2% completion rate, accumulating 23,911 yards, 125 touchdowns, and 173 interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 67.1.[22] Manning's performance varied year to year, with his most productive stretch occurring in the late 1970s. He peaked in 1980, throwing for 3,716 yards and 23 touchdowns while posting an 81.8 passer rating, though the Saints finished 1-15 that season. His 1979 campaign was also strong, with 3,169 yards and 15 touchdowns at a 75.6 rating, marking one of his two Pro Bowl selections tied to efficient passing. The following table summarizes his regular-season passing statistics:| Season | Team | Games Started | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | TDs | INTs | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | NO | 10 | 86 | 177 | 48.6 | 1,164 | 6 | 9 | 60.1 |
| 1972 | NO | 14 | 230 | 448 | 51.3 | 2,781 | 18 | 21 | 64.6 |
| 1973 | NO | 13 | 140 | 267 | 52.4 | 1,642 | 10 | 12 | 65.2 |
| 1974 | NO | 11 | 134 | 261 | 51.3 | 1,429 | 6 | 16 | 49.8 |
| 1975 | NO | 13 | 159 | 338 | 47.0 | 1,683 | 7 | 20 | 44.3 |
| 1977 | NO | 9 | 113 | 205 | 55.1 | 1,284 | 8 | 9 | 68.8 |
| 1978 | NO | 16 | 291 | 471 | 61.8 | 3,416 | 17 | 16 | 81.7 |
| 1979 | NO | 16 | 252 | 420 | 60.0 | 3,169 | 15 | 20 | 75.6 |
| 1980 | NO | 16 | 309 | 509 | 60.7 | 3,716 | 23 | 20 | 81.8 |
| 1981 | HOU | 11 | 134 | 232 | 57.8 | 1,447 | 5 | 11 | 63.6 |
| 1982 | HOU | 5 | 67 | 132 | 50.8 | 880 | 6 | 8 | 62.1 |
| 1983 | MIN | 3 | 44 | 88 | 50.0 | 755 | 2 | 8 | 49.2 |
| 1984 | MIN | 2 | 52 | 94 | 55.3 | 545 | 2 | 3 | 66.1 |