Belmont and Belcourt Biographies - Peyton and Eli Manning: An Unauthorized Biography

P EYTON AND E LI M ANNING

An Unauthorized Biography

Copyright 2012 by Belmont & Belcourt Biographies

All rights reserved. Neither this book nor any parts within it may be sold or reproduced in any form without permission.

eISBN: 9781619841819

P EYTON M ANNING

Peyton Manning is a quarterback for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Indianapolis Colts for 14 seasons from 19982011. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and an elder brother of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

Peyton Williams Manning was born on March 24, 1976, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the second child of Archie and Olivia Manning, who had three sons. Cooper Manning, the oldest, arrived in 1974. Eli, the youngest, was born five years after Peyton. All three boys appeared to be born athletes from the moment they could crawl. They all displayed a natural affinity for athletics, even showing movement and mobility at a very young age. At 12-plus pounds at birth however, Peyton appeared that he might be headed for a career as an offensive lineman.

The size of the Manning kids wasnt surprising, given their genes. Their father, Archie, was one of the most celebrated athletes in the history of the South. He was a legend at the University of Mississippi, where he played quarterback from 1968 to 1970 for the Rebels, where he was twice voted an All-American. He then became the top pick of the New Orleans Saints. From there, he embarked on a star-crossed 14-year NFL career that also saw him suiting up for the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings. Archie's career is known as one that was bittersweet because he was considered a borderline-elite player, but his New Orleans teams were consistently among the worst in the NFL. A hard-hitting shortstop in his youth, Archie could have chosen professional baseball as a career path, having been drafted by the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago White Sox after graduating from Drew High School. The multi-sport skills displayed by Archie would definitely run in the family.

Olivia was a perfect match for Archie, who was treated like royalty wherever he went in the South. She had been named Homecoming Queen at Ole Miss in 1970. The two were clearly born for each other.

Peyton loved football, just like his dad. By his third birthday, he was tossing the pigskin with Cooper. The two had plenty of room to practice in the yard of the familys huge home, which was built in 1853, in the historic Garden District of New Orleans. Eli eventually joined his brothers in their games once he came along five years later.

Childhood seemed to be perfect for Peyton. In his youth, he idolized his father and dreamed of being a star college quarterback. The Mannings were a close-knit family. Trips across the state to visit Grandma Manning in Drew, or to see Olivias parents in Philadelphia, were always happily anticipated and enjoyed by all.

Peytons only bad memories of his childhood came when professional athletics intruded on the family's home life. The Saints were the laughingstock of the NFL, and despite some great individual seasons, Archie often bore the brunt of the fans ire. While Archie struggled with his losing team on the field, it was his family that had to endure much of the negatives of the situation.

In 1982, after Archie was traded to the Oilers, he and Olivia and decided that the family would stay in New Orleans. During that time, Peyton and his brothers missed their dad terribly. Archie bounced between the Oilers and Vikings the next four years. In 1984, his last season in the NFL, Olivia and the boys followed him to Minneapolis. Peyton hoped to get his first taste of organized football there, but he was too young for the fifth-grade squad.

The Manning family had had enough of their father's life as an NFL quarterback and returned to New Orleans the following year. Peyton looked forward to playing football for Isidore Newman School, which was one of Louisianas top private schools. There was one big problem though: Newman had canceled its sixth-grade program. In 1988, Peyton finally got his chance to put on the pads for the first time. When asked to list his favorite positions, interestingly enough, he wrote down quarterback and defensive back.

Years of watching from the sidelines had given Peyton lots of time to brush up on his football knowledge. A trivia buff, Peyton was absolutely crazy about the college game. For him, nothing compared to the SEC. He listened to audio tapes of his dads college games and quizzed his little brother on the conferences past. When Eli couldnt answer a question, he usually received a pounding.

Life in the Manning household almost always revolved around sports, but Archie and Olivia never pushed their kids to be stars. In fact, Archie attempted to coach Peyton just once, which was in youth-league basketball. The results there were disastrous. Peyton chewed out his dad for stocking the team with his friends, instead of the best players available.

Cooper was the source of part of Peyton's competitive fire. The two waged regular battles, fighting over who was better, smarter or tougher. However, despite their sibling rivalry, deep down they admired each other immensely.

Peyton won the starting quarterback job at Newman as a sophomore 1991, and it was his brother Cooper who paved the way by switching to receiver his senior year, even though he was set to call the signals for the Greenies, the defending Class 2A state champs. The move paid big dividends for Peyton. In the season opener, he completed nine passes to Cooper in the first half alone. Newman went on to a 12-2 record and advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs. On the year, Peyton threw for 23 touchdowns, a bakers dozen to his brother. To this day, he says he has never had more fun on the football field.

Peytons physical skills are impressive but not overwhelming. His 6-5, 230-pound frame is a definite asset. Before his neck injury, Peyton was the most durable quarterback ever to set foot on the gridiron. It helped that he has never had to absorb a great deal of punishment. That was due in part to a steady offensive line but also to his ability to read defenses and get rid of the ball quickly.

Peytons arm strength is above average, while his accuracy is off the charts. He throws his share of wobblers, but most of his passes find their targets between the numbers and in stride. The touch he puts on the ball makes him a receivers best friend.

Peyton wont beat too many people in a sprint, but his pocket presence is excellent. This allows him to avoid sacks and buy extra time to allow a receiver work his way open. Despite his lack of speed, Peytons footwork is textbook, as are his play fakesfew quarterbacks in the games history have been able to fool defenses like he can.

Peyton is a throwback in many ways, including the fact that he calls his own games. With the Colts, he received a different offensive package every week. Every play had several options, both run and pass. When a call came in from the sideline, Peyton decided on the final incarnation based on his personnel and the defensive alignment presented to him at the line of scrimmage.

Peyton is regarded as a strong leader. He inspires teammates through deed and word. His work ethic is unparalleled, and he makes his teammates better. As John Elway put it, he raises all boats. Peyton is as intense as they come. Hes also not afraid to get into a teammates face and demand his best effort. Some guys cant get away with such tactics. Peyton can.