Archie Manning is a popular motivational speaker at Playing Field Promotions

Manning is the patriarch of the first family of football – he’s the father of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton and New York Giants quarterback Eli. And while younger people may only know him as the father of his famous sons, Manning enjoyed a stellar football career himself long before his sons could throw a football.

Manning was an All-American quarterback at Ole Miss and still holds the school record for total career touchdowns at 56. He also ran for 823 yards and threw for 4,753 and scored 14 touchdowns.

In 1971, Manning was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the second pick overall of the NFL draft. With the Saints, Manning picked up where he left off in college. He was a two-time All-Pro, set many Saints passing records and was named the 1978 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He played 10 of his 13 seasons with the Saints and is still a revered figure in New Orleans, a distinction he now shares with current Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Among his honors…

• College Football Hall of Fame – 1989
• Third in Heisman Trophy Voting – 1970
• Fourth in Heisman Trophy Voting – 1969
• #18 Ole Miss Jersey Retired
• Ole Miss All-Century Team
• All-SEC – 1969, 1970
• Walter Camp Award – 1969
• NFL Offensive Player of the Year- 1979

Manning remains active in the New Orleans community and was selected as one of 10 outstanding New Orleanians by Family Service of Greater New Orleans. He hosts several Archie Manning Cystic Fibrosis benefit golf tournaments in Louisiana and Mississippi and is active in a wide variety of charitable and civic causes, including the Louisiana Special Olympics, the New Orleans Area Boy Scout Council, the Salvation Army, NOKIA Sugar Bowl Committee, New Orleans Sports Foundation, National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

In honor of the Mannings’ college football accomplishments, the Sugar Bowl has created the Manning Award to go to the nation’s best college quarterback.

Brees has replaced Archie Manning as the city’s most popular sports figure. “Who Dat?” has just taken on a whole new meaning.

The Saints overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to defeat the favored Indianapolis Colts, 31 – 17. In so doing, the Saints won the Super Bowl for the first time in the team’s 43 year history and unleashed a celebration in New Orleans that’s going to last long beyond Mardi Gras…

Drew Brees, named the game’s MVP, was outstanding. He completed 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns. The Saints defense played well too, limiting the Colts to just seven points after the first quarter.  The biggest play of the game involved Saints defensive back Tracy Porter, who intercepted a Peyton Manning pass and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown with 3:12 remaining. The Saints special teams was also strong – placekicker Garrett Hartley connected on field goals of 46-, 44- and 47-yards.

And while the game was ultimately won on the field, gutsy play calling by Saints coach Sean Payton also played a big part in the win. With the Saints trailing 10 – 6 at halftime, Peyton called for an on-side kick to begin the third quarter. The play worked, the Saints took possession at their 42, and six plays later Pierre Thomas scored on a 16-yard screen pass to give the Saints their first lead of the game, 13 – 10. They never looked back.

Of course, as everyone knows, this game was much more than a game to the Saints and the city of New Orleans. Devastated after Hurricane Katrina, the Saints were one of the few positive things the city had going for it. As is often the case with sports, it provides people a diversion from their everyday problems. This couldn’t be more true in the case of the Saints and their fans.

Prior to this season, the Saints had one just two playoff games in the team’s entire existence. For many years, they were among the league’s worst teams – think today’s Detroit Lions – and people referred to them as the “Aints”. But that’s now all forgotten. Brees has replaced Archie Manning as the city’s most popular sports figure. “Who Dat?” has just taken on a whole new meaning.

Related stories:
Drew Brees Vs Peyton Manning: Who’s Going To Win The Super Bowl?
Drew Brees Leads Saints to First Super Bowl Title

Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints meets Peyton Manning of the Indiana Colts in the ultimate showdown on Super Bowl XLIV Sunday, February 7, 2010, in Miami Florida.

It’s hard not to pick the Indianapolis Colts with Peyton Manning leading the charge. Manning is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history with a record-setting four MVP awards and one Super Bowl title. Should he lead the Colts to victory this weekend, he may very well solidify himself as the greatest quarterback ever, past John Elway, Joe Montana and Dan Marino. Manning gives the Colts experience, leadership and poise that’s impossible to discount…

Speaking of experience, that’s a big advantage for the Colts. A number of the players were members of a Colts team that won Super Bowl XLI in 2007. The Super Bowl is not just another game. The hype surrounding it is bigger than anything in U.S. sports. If the players aren’t careful, they can get too up for the game.

I was listening earlier this week to ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt relay a story that Hall of Famer John Hannah had once told. Hannah, who played for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX, told how he got so pumped up for the game that he was exhausted by the end of the first half. He talked about the importance of staying even-keeled emotionally and treating the Super Bowl like just any other game.

One thing that might hurt the Colts is the potential loss of All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney to injury. Freeney is considered among the most dominating  defensive players in football and if he’s not able to play or compete at full strength, that’s going to be a big blow to the Colts. Without his presence, the Saints will be able to protect Drew Brees much better.

Speaking of the Saints, I’m actually rooting for them. The first NFL game I ever attended was a Saints game at the Superdome. I grew up watching Archie Manning, Chuck Muncie, Tom Dempsey, etc.

Drew Brees is a great quarterback and has earned MVP consideration this season. If he’s protected and has time to pick his spots, he can be very dangerous. The Saints defense was impressive a couple of weeks ago against Brett Favre and the Vikings. They pressured Favre all day long and forced several turnovers. The Colts are one dimensional offensively and rank near the bottom in rushing offense. If the Saints can pressure Manning or force the Colts to run more, I think they have a chance to win.

My prediction…New Orleans over Indianapolis, 24 – 20.

Bart Starr

Bart Starr

Then…Bart Starr was quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956-71, winning five NFL Championships and named MVP of the first two Super Bowls. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. After his playing career, Starr was the head coach of the Packers for nine seasons from 1975–83 and compiled a 52–76–3 record.

Now…Today, Starr resides in Alabama and runs Healthcare Realty Management. He is co-founder of the Rawhide Boys Ranch, a place which assists boys in trouble. He’s also a popular sports motivational speaker.

Archie Manning

Archie Manning

Then…Archie Manning played for the New Orleans Saints from  1971 – 82. In 1972 he led the league in pass attempts and completions, and in 1978, he was named the NFC Player Of The Year by UPI. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1978 and 1979. He went on to conclude his career with the Houston Oilers (1982-1983). He ended his 13-year career having completed 2,011 of 3,642 passes for 23,911 yards and 125 touchdowns. His 2,011 completions ranked 17th in NFL history upon his retirement.

Now…Today, Manning is best known as the father of NFL stars Payton and Eli. He resides in New Orleans and travels around the country as a sports motivational speaker. He’s also served as a spokesperson for numerous companies, including UPS and Mastercard.

Dan Fouts agent

Dan  Fouts

Then…One of the most prolific passers in NFL history, Dan Fouts led the NFL in passing yards four times and ended his career with 40,000 yards, the third player to surpass that mark. He led the Chargers to the playoffs from 1979 – 82 and twice to the AFC Championship. His career high of 4,802 passing yards during the 1981 season was an NFL record at the time. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Now…Fouts lives in Oregon and has enjoyed a successful college and NFL broadcasting career with CBS, ABC and ESPN. He was an analyst on Monday Night Football alongside Al Michaels and Dennis Miller for two seasons beginning in 2000.

Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach

Then…After an illustrious career at Navy in which he won the 1963 Heisman Trophy, Roger Staubach helped the Cowboys become “America’s Team”. He led the Cowboys to four Super Bowl appearances, its first title in 1972 and a second one in 1978. He was named MVP of the 1972 Super Bowl and became the first of four players to win both the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP. When he retired in 1980, Staubach was the highest rated passer of all time at 83.4. The six-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Now…Staubach has enjoyed as much success off the field as he did on it. Residing in Dallas, he started The Staubach Company, one of the largest commercial real estate companies in the country. He served as CEO of the multi-billion dollar company until he stepped down in 2007. The next year, the company was sold to Jones Lang LaSalle for $613 million.

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a speakers bureau and top booking agent for football speakers, athlete appearances and endorsements.

When booking an athlete or celebrity, one should take the following factors into consideration:

1.) Who are some of the agency’s recent bookings? If a booking agency is legitimate, they should be able to provide numerous examples of recent bookings.

2.) What is the booking agent’s specialty? Some agencies specialize in business speakers, others in athletes and still others in corporate entertainment. For instance, if you’re looking to book a sports speaker, you would be best served by hiring a sports booking agency that offers a large roster of athletes. Most booking agents have access to a handful of popular sports speakers like Archie Manning, Howie Long, Jim Morris, Jim Abbott and Magic Johnson, but others have access to thousands of athletes, which can provide you with many options across different sports and fee ranges. So how do you find out about the the booking agent’s specialty? Ask questions. Look at the talent roster on their website if they have one.

3.) What kind of fees does the booking agency quote? A legitimate agency for the most part should be quoting similar fees. If you find an agent quoting fees that are unusually low or high, chances are the booking agent either doesn’t know the correct fee or they’re attempting to make a big commission.

4.) Does the booking agent have references? Most agencies should be happy to provide a list of references of companies and organizations they’ve done work for.

5.) How organized and professional do they appear to be? Do they respond quickly with the information you requested?

Another often-asked and confusing matter to a lot of people is whether athletes and celebrities are exclusive to a particular booking agent. I’m often asked who actually represents a certain athlete or celebrity when they’re listed with so many different agencies. While some athletes and celebrities do have exclusives, the vast majority are non-exclusive and are happy to get business from any number of different agencies.

The choices are many, but with a bit of research and by asking the right questions, you should be able to select a booking agency that provides expert service, meets your needs and will work with you in booking the ideal athlete or celebrity for your particular situation.

Jonathn Wexler is a top booking agent for PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency, specializing in booking celebrity and athlete appearances, speaking engagements and corporate entertainment. When you utilize our services, you will have access to top celebrity talent plus many of yesterday and today’s greatest athletes. Our booking agents can assist your business on how to hire athletes and celebrities for an autograph signing, pharma campaign,  celebrity endorsement, fundraiser, trade show, convention, corporate entertainment, marketing and more.