They always say that the first entry is the hardest. Whoever said that is right...it is. I hate talking about myself, but this is the way ya'll will get to know me so I better start right? I guess the best way to start is at the beginning and work my way up.
My name is Elisha Nelson Manning and I am the youngest son to Football legend Archie Manning and his wife Olivia. I was born January 3, 1981 in the Garden District of New Orleans. I have two older brothers, Cooper and Peyton. Coop is married to Ellen and has three kids, May, Arch and Heid. He still has a home in New Orleans but right now is in Oxford, Mississippi with my parents due to Hurricane Katrina. Peyt is married to Ashley and ofcourse lives in Indianapolis where he is unquestionably the best quarterback in the league.
Growing up around football, I really was destined to play. Daddy played for years and soon Coop and Peyt were playing too. We all went to Isidore Newman School and are credited to making the team a contender for state championships. We never did win but all three of us were All-Americans and we recently had our jersey retired at the school. Cooper was the first to go to college and ofcourse chose Ole Miss, daddy's alum. He never got to play because of a narrowing in his spine that kept him one hit away from a wheelchair. It didn't stop him from enjoying college and making a good living for himself. It did stop Peyt from choosing Ole Miss though. He went on to choose Tennessee, much to the dismay of Mississippians. They had told daddy to force Peyt to go to Ole Miss but that would never happen. Daddy doesn't force anything upon us. Peyt went on to have a great career at Tennessee and ofcourse the rest is history.
Me? I chose Ole Miss, which I think relieved both of my parents. See I never really talked much..always have had an easy demeanor about everything. So I didn't really discuss things with them I just said I had made a choice and wanted to make the proper calls. They had to ask me what my choice was. I got to Oxford and really fell in love with the place. It is easy to love the atmosphere and the people. I broke alot of daddy's records and beat Florida, something Peyton never did. I was a finalist for the Heisman and ended up going number one in the draft in 2004. I am remembered as the one who said no to San Deigo and threatened to sit out if they chose me. They did anyway but traded me to the New York Giants which is where I am today.
I would like to think I haven't changed any since going into the pros. I approach everything with the same attitude and drive I always did. I don't go crazy in the huddle and emotion just doesn't show much. That is Peyton...he goes nuts under center and shows plenty of emotion. I liked Oxford so much that I chose a place that is kinda like it to live up here. I like in Hoboken, NJ and it really reminds me of Oxford. I have a girlfriend, Abby McGrew, and we have been seeing each other since before I left Ole Miss. She is wonderful and kinda reminds me of both my sisters-in-law.
See what happens when I have to talk about myself? I can't believe I wrote that much! If there is anything else you want to know go ahead and ask! My AIM sn is Broadway Eli.
Never in a million years did I think that I, Peyton Williams Manning, would get an online journal. Now, if you count the one on my website, I've got two. I figured I might as well, that it would give me something to do after a game or on a day off. Usually I'm not a very public person but there is a first for everything right? Where to start my introduction.....
For starters, I'm the middle child of football legend Archie Manning and his wife Olivia. I was born and raised in the Garden District of New Orleans and attended Isidore Newman School. I have two brothers, Cooper and Eli. All three of us have grown up around football and played it in school. Cooper and I used to go to dad's practices and hang out with the rest of the Saints and when they were done we'd go out and throw the ball back and forth until it was time to go home. You could say that was when my love of the sport started....when I was a toddler. To be honest, Cooper was supposed to be the golden child of the family not me. That changed when a doctor found out there was a narrowing of his spinal cord, one bad hit and he could have been paralized for life. It's amazing how things change and how well he took it. If it had been me I would have played anyway, regardless of the risk.
When it came time for me to choose a college, I think the whole state of Mississippi was already getting my locker ready at Ole Miss. It was a top contender in my list of schools, really it was. I knew my parents wanted me to go there. I also knew the pressure to be just like my dad would be there if I did choose them. After alot of thinking and spending a day or two in a hotel to get away, I chose to go to the University of Tennessee. I had visited there and loved the place, loved everything about it. Unfortunately, the backlash from Ole Miss fans and former schoolmates of my parents was horrible. They sent letters to my dad wishing me an injury or even worse. They were nasty to my parents, even though it wasn't their place to make me go anywhere. Looking back, I think I made the right choice though. I graduated in three years and entered grad school to keep my eligability. The only regret for me was not getting the Heisman Trophy, I have always felt like I let my fans down for that.
The draft was an amazing experience for me. Being picked first really was just the icing on the cake. The whole thing was fun and exciting for anyone involved. Now because of it I am a part of a great team and I'm sure I'll be with them my whole career. I have a foundation that helps children called the Peyback Foundation. I speak to thousands of kids every year about why they should stay in school and get an education. Every summer my dad, my brothers, and I do the Manning Passing Academy for Freshman in high school up to seniors to come and learn the game better. It's alot of fun and its one of the rare times I get to see Eli, Cooper and my dad.
The NFL has treated me well, I love playing for a great league. I've broken alot of records and now have the chance to see my little brother play. I'm looking forward to 2006 when we play each other. Judging by what I've seen this year from Eli, it'll be one hell of a game.
Saving the best for last, I got married in 2001 to Ashley Thompson. I had met her while in college when she came to a game against her school, the University of Virginia. We dated for years before finally getting married and we live here in Indy. She is VP of my foundation and is behind me every step of the way in everything.
Wow, ok, I got longwinded here! I promise my regular entries wont be this long! I really should get some sleep so I'll spare you any more ramblings. My AIM sn is TheMiddleManning