Archie Manning
COLLEGE: Ole Miss
POSITION: Quarterback
BORN: May 19, 1949 in Drew, Mississippi
JOINED SAINTS: NFL draft: 1971 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
YEARS WITH SAINTS: 1971–1982
Archie Manning's Career Background
Former Saints star quarterback Archie Manning was enshrined in the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1988, a nod to the illustrious career he had with the Black and Gold.
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. The pass attempts and completed by Manning that year led the league despite the team going 2-11.
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. He finished his career with the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings before retiring from football following the 1984 season.Â
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. Manning is also an owner/investor in a restaurant, Manning's on Fulton Street.
Archie Manning's College Career
Prior to being drafted by the Saints, Manning had a noteworthy collegiate career at Ole Miss as a three year starter. In the first national prime time college football broadcast in 1969, he threw for 436 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 104 yards in a heartbreaking 33-32 loss to Alabama. That year, he scored 14 touchdowns as he was named to the All-SEC team and recipient of the Nashville Banner Trophy as Most Valuable Player in the Southeastern Conference in addition to winning the Walter Camp Memorial Trophy. He also placed fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1969 and third in 1970. In addition to his accolades, Manning's career totals included 4,753 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, along with 823 rushing yards. He was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989 and his number was retired by the Rebels in addition to them setting the speed limit on campus to 18 mph after him.
Archie Manning's Career Honors & Awards
Pro Bowl - 1978, 1979
New Orleans Saints Ring of Honor
New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame
SEC Player of the Year - 1969
1st Team All-American - 1969
1st Team All-SEC - 1969
