Archie Manning
When you think of Archie Manning, you think of football, and the big, scrambling quarterback with the powerful arm who became a Mississippi legend and an NFL MVP. But Archie’s appeal transcends his athletic achievements. Anyone who meets him is inspired by his warm personality, his drive and sense of humor. Archie serves in PR and consulting capacities for numerous local and national organizations and is active in a wide variety of charitable and civic causes, including his Archie Manning Cystic Fibrosis benefit golf tournaments held in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Elisha Archie Manning was born May 19, 1949, in Drew, Mississippi. He attended the University of Mississippi where he earned All America honors. Archie is the only Mississippi player to have his number retired. Not coincidentally, the number “8” happens to be the speed limit on campus at Ole Miss.
In 1971, Archie was the second player chosen in the NFL draft as the first choice of the New Orleans Saints. He was a starter by the end of his rookie season and in his second year led the league in passing attempts and completions.
He went on to set Saints passing records, played in two Pro Bowls, and was named the NFC Player of the Year in 1978. He was the first player in Saints history to be inducted into the Louisiana Superdome Wall of Fame. While in pro football, he received the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award, the Bart Starr Humanitarian Award, the Spirit of Good Sports Award from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, and the U.S. Jaycees named him one of 10 Outstanding Young Americans. Archie concluded his 15-year pro career in 1985 with the Minnesota Vikings.
In 1992 Archie was voted Mississippi’s Greatest All Time Athlete, and was recently named Mississippi’s Most Popular Athlete of the Century. He was elected to the 50-Year All South Team (1940-1990) and is honored as one of the Top 25 Athletes of the Century in Louisiana. Archie is enshrined at the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame, and is listed among the 100 All-Time Greatest College Football Players, an accolade he shares with his son, Peyton.
Included among Archie’s many community activities are the Louisiana Special Olympics, the New Orleans Area Boy Scout Council, the Salvation Army, United Way Speakers Bureau, NOKIA Sugar Bowl Committee, New Orleans Sports Foundation, and the NFL and College Hall of Fame Boards of Directors. He also operates the Manning Passing Academy, a quarterback and receivers camp based at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La., founded by Archie and his sons Cooper, Peyton and Eli.
Current Projects
Manning Passing Academy
For almost four decades the Manning family and the quarterback position have been practically synonymous with one another. In July, AstroTurf will be among the sponsors at the 2007 Manning Passing Academy, the annual football camp hosted by Archie Manning and sons Cooper, Peyton and Eli. The family owned and managed camp draws more than 1,000 high school quarterbacks and receivers from across the country, embracing the basic fundamentals of football while catering to the offensive skill positions of running back, tight end, wide reciever and, of course, quarterback. For the first time, the athletes and coaches at the MPA will enjoy playing on AstroTurf, sports' most advanced synthetic turf.
Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, La., home of the Manning Passing Academy, is getting a new, state-of-the-art AstroTurf GameDay Grass playing surface for its Guidry Stadium, courtesy of Archie Manning and GeneralSports Venue. The surface should be installed before the MPA begins its third season at the school on July 12. Following the installation of the new surface, the field will be renamed in honor of the Manning family and their contributions to the school, along with the tag, "Built by AstroTurf." The surrounding facility will retain the name of John L. Guidry Stadium.
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