Arch Manning and His Generational Legacy

Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or tune in for your alma mater’s games, chances are you’ve heard the name Arch Manning.

Media outlets have tracked his athletic journey since high school, and will do so more intensely than ever throughout the next year.

Many of these platforms will highlight his biggest achievements on the field, like his consistency, completion percentage, and what he brings to the table as an athlete. 

However, the majority of these outlets will focus on how he performs as Texas’s leading signal caller, not who Manning is as a person.

So, who is Manning-beyond his impressive generational legacy?

Manning’s famous football lineage

The 21-year-old has attracted exceptional attention, largely due to his renowned family background.

Many fans are aware of the fact that Manning’s grandfather and uncles each served memorable terms in the NFL. 

His grandfather (Also Arch, more popularly known as Archie) played quarterback (QB) for Ole Miss before playing for 14 years in the NFL. In addition, his uncles, Eli and Peyton, each garnered two Super Bowl victories and MVP awards for their respective teams. 

While many fans assume that Arch’s father is the black sheep of the family because he isn’t an NFL-caliber QB, he did commit to Ole Miss as a wide receiver before a diagnosis of spinal stenosis forced him to retire from the sport. 

Manning’s mother was also a volleyball player who helped lead the Academy of Sacred Heart to a championship in 1986, per College Football Network. 

So, it’s no shock that the 21-year-old has chosen to pursue an athletic career, as well.

Is Manning simply a product of nepotism?

With a lineage like his, it’s not surprising that some fans are quick to come for the Longhorns’ throat, saying he is only given the opportunities he is, due to his family tree. 

Although the quarterback hasn’t seen much playing time at Texas (largely due to Longhorns’ former QB Quinn Ewers being just one year older than Manning), his high school numbers seem worthy enough to quiet the scrutiny. 

Manning didn’t have to wait his turn to get his playing time- and no, this wasn’t rewarded to him based on his last name. 

In four years- each of which he started as the varsity QB for Isidore Newman School in New Orleans- Manning completed 642/996 passes (64.5%), threw for 8,539 yards, contributed 115 touchdowns, and threw only 19 interceptions. 

How Manning handles the haters

Due to his unique position in the league, Manning has every right to fire back at trolls who say he is just another nepo baby. 

However, he seems to take a different approach.

In a recent video with Complex Sports, Manning read several mean tweets directed at him. Rather than match the tone of one user who called him a “nepo baby,” Manning took the comment in stride and was even able to make a joke out of it.

Another user wrote that the Longhorn possesses “previously unimaginable levels of Manning swagger.”

“I love that. I guess that’s a compliment,” Manning replied. “Peyton and Eli didn’t have much swag, so I’m glad I get to up our swag in the Manning family.”

Whether he receives any favoritism or not, he seems to have the skills and the right head on his shoulders to be a force next season.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by the activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.