Arch Manning shares unique perspective father’s story provides him

Most football fans know all about Archie Manning‘s two youngest sons — Peyton and Eli Manning — who combined for four Super Bowl victories and 18 Pro Bowls between them, among a litany of other honors.

But few know much about Archie Manning’s oldest son, Cooper, whose own once-promising football career ended before it ever began when he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis — an abnormal narrowing of the spine — prior to his freshman season at Ole Miss in 1992.

Now, 33 years later, Cooper’s own son, Arch Manning, is preparing to finally take the reins as the Texas Longhorns‘ starting quarterback ahead of his third season in Austin.

During a recent interview with ESPN‘s Marty Smith, Arch Manning opened up about how his father’s story impacts his perspective just as his own collegiate career is about to take off.

“My dad was a receiver in high school, Peyton’s top receiver (at Isidore Newman), he went on to Ole Miss and he started getting hand numbness and they found out he had spinal stenosis and had to stop playing football after a surgery that went wrong,” Arch Manning told Smith. “He had to stop playing at 18, so it was tough. I think he was going to be a good player. He was an athletic guy. But it just reminds me to not take it for granted and enjoy the little moments.”

Cooper Manning has since built himself a successful career outside of football, and has become a pseudo-celebrity in his own right with a self-depricating humor that clearly runs in the family. Cooper Manning also co-hosts the College Bowl quiz show on NBC alongside his brother Peyton.

Still, given how his father’s collegiate dream never materialized due to factors outside of his control, Arch Manning is fully embracing every part of his own collegiate journey, even the offseason workouts.

“That’s great because it reminds me to not take any day for granted,” Arch Manning said. “Enjoy the hard workouts in the summer, enjoy the bus rides to practice, enjoy the plane ride after a game. Just because it can all get taken away so quickly with an injury or anything. That’s why I’m so blessed to be in this position and I’m not going to take it for granted.”

Cooper Manning jokes about life as father of backup QB: ‘Crowned prince’ of parents section

Cooper Manning enjoyed parent life watching Arch Manning for Texas over the last two seasons. Although, the former wide receiver is going to be very nervous next season.

After backing up Quinn Ewers the last two seasons, Arch Manning is slated to take over as the Texas Longhorns’ starting QB in 2025. Cooper Manning is, of course, a celebrity amongst the Texas parents in the stands — a role he clearly relished.

“(The) last couple years, it’s been pretty fun,” Cooper Manning told Dan Patrick. “I’ve kind of enjoyed just being the backup quarterback’s dad. It’s pretty delightful. I’m the crowned prince of the parent section. Do no wrong. But I think I’ll be a lot more nervous and, you know, just probably biting fingernails. and head down, but I like sitting with the parents, we have great, Texas has a great parent section. Good, family oriented group, we sit with the fans  … good group.”

Nick Kosko contributed to this report.