The Manning Passing Academy celebrated its 25th anniversary this past week, but Saints legend Archie Manning can't take credit for the idea.
That distinction goes to his middle son, Peyton, who spent time at Bobby Bowden's passing academy during his time as the quarterback at Tennessee.
“He said ‘we need to help the quarterbacks and receivers in New Orleans and in south Louisiana,’ " Archie shared on SportsTalk with Mike Detillier and Kristian Garic from the edge of the field at Nicholls State this week. " ‘Nobody’s throwing the ball. Nobody’s throwing it any good.’ “
But it was a conversation with Bowden himself, Archie continued, that really drove the idea home. That and the ability to guarantee some time with his football-driven sons.
“I guess I became a little selfish at that point," Archie said. "The boys were growing up and I knew they were going to be gone so I said ‘it sounds like a good idea to me.’ “
The mission to help the passing games in south Louisiana began shortly thereafter at Tulane University, a facility that the camp quickly grew too large for. After multiple stops across Louisiana, the camp eventually settled at Nicholls State, though not without first getting courted by Disney World. Archie said they went to then-governor Bobby Jindal to express their desire to stay in Louisiana, and he vowed to upgrade the facilities at out in Thibodaux to keep the camp local.
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And while the guarantee of quality time with his sons -- even as Eli and Peyton played out long, successful careers in the NFL -- it was their consistent appearances, along with Cooper, that truly helped the camp thrive. Over the years the event has featured the likes of top names like Jameis Winston, Russell Wilson and Justin Herbert, and drawn athletes from across the nation and outside the United States borders.
Previous Manning Passing Academies have included visitors from Canada, France and Guam. The 2021 edition, a year after having to cancel due to the coronavirus pandemic, featured campers from 40 states.
“One thing that’s given us credibility over the years … between the three of [Cooper, Eli and Payton] they’ve never missed one minute of the camp,” Archie said.
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