Archie Manning receives Rube Award

Cooper and Peyton Manning sat in the Superdome bleachers. Cooper's arms were neatly folded across his chest. Peyton's head sunk into his hands. Both frowned.

The Saints were getting beaten badly.

And their father, Archie Manning, was having what he describes as a "rougher" game.

Sure enough, boos escorted Archie off the field as the Saints went three and out for what felt like the 20th time that night.

Peyton, shaking his head from side to side, glanced up at his mother, Olivia. "Can we boo, too?" he asked.

Archie Manning was told the story shortly after the game. And he lets out a hearty laugh when remembering it nearly 35 years later.

"In a way, that's what I wanted my boys to learn," Archie Manning said. "Athletes are no different from anybody else. They're people. You should be remembered for what you do off the field, not on it."

Turns out you can do both. At least in the case of the Mannings.

Peyton became an All-American at Tennessee. Younger brother Eli went to Ole Miss like his dad and became the first pick in the NFL draft like his brother. Both are Super Bowl champions.

But Archie Manning, whose No. 18 jersey is retired at Ole Miss for his days leading the Rebels under center, viewed Friday as recognition for the message he conveyed to his boys all those years ago — before the Manning name was accompanied by the aura it carries today.

"It means I did my job," he said. "You have to give back."

Manning received the Rube Award, given to recognize an athlete for outstanding contribution to the state's communities, at Friday's Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

"I'm truly honored," he said. "I'm just honored to help out this fine state of Mississippi."

At Friday's ceremony, the line to shake Manning's hands weaved between tables, chairs and pillars.

He greeted each of the wide-eyed admirers.

"I hope people look back and think I was a good guy," he said. "That's what I hope I've accomplished."

Deuce McAllister, who was one of six inducted into the hall of fame, certainly thinks he has.

"I still call him Mr. Archie to this day. He gets mad at me every time. But he's just that inspiring figure to me. I have so much respect for him," the former Ole Miss and Saints running back said. "If there's one person you want to be like with your life, it's Archie Manning. The list of the great things he's done goes on and on."

There are Manning's two Pro Bowl selections. His hall of fame days at Ole Miss. His NFC Player of the Year Award.

But that's not what Rick Cleveland, executive director of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, says makes Manning "more than suited" for the award.

"I can't think of a better person to receive it. He always took time to give back to the community," Cleveland said. "More than most people. It's really his passion."

Just this week, Archie and Olivia Manning announced the establishment of the Manning Family Fund for a Healthier Mississippi.

"He loves to give," Cleveland said. "And he loves his family. No one loves their family more than Archie."

A little too much sometimes, Manning jokes.

During his time playing for the Oilers at the tail end of his football career, Manning would board the 4 p.m. Southwest flight in Houston several times a week after practice to make it back for dinner in New Orleans.

"Everything I do is for them. This award is for them. And back then, I was homesick," he said. "I was always a little scared weather would get me and I'd miss practice. But it was worth it. I love them so much."

Turns out there's a lot Manning loves.

"Family and giving back is so important," he said. "But I would be lying to you if I said I didn't hope people enjoyed watching me play back in the day. There's a special place for football in my heart."

Manning chuckled Friday when asked where Ole Miss falls in his list of loves. "What do you think?" he asked, waving a hand down the length of his body.

He was wearing a blue jacket with red pinstripes, a white shirt and a red tie.

"I love Ole Miss, if you couldn't tell," he said. "I just feel very fortunate to have had so much good in my life. From football to family and everything in between."

Contact Riley Blevins at rblevins@jackson.gannett.com or (601) 961-7344. Follow @Riley_Blevins on Twitter.