It takes something serious to keep Archie Manning away from the Manning Award ceremony.
The annual event, which honors the top quarterback in college football, is a highlight of the year for Manning. And it’s particularly enticing this year, as one of his favorite quarterbacks, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, is being recognized.
Alas, Manning’s health won’t allow him to attend the event Saturday night at Manning’s Sports Bar and Grill in downtown New Orleans. Only weeks removed from major back surgery, Manning is in the early stages of what he calls “a long road” to recovery.
“I’m very, very disappointed I can’t be there,” Manning said, “mainly because I’m so crazy about Fernando.”
Mendoza has been one of Manning’s favorites since he attended the 2024 Manning Passing Academy after his sophomore season at the University of California. Manning followed Mendoza with keen interest last season, after he transferred to Indiana and led the Hoosiers to an unbeaten national championship and Heisman Trophy honors.
Mendoza led the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in passing touchdowns (41) and led the Power Four in touchdowns responsible for (passing and rushing, 48). He was also the only FBS quarterback with six games of four-plus touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
Later this month, Mendoza is expected to become the ninth Manning Award winner to be selected No. 1 overall in the NFL draft, joining Cam Ward, Bryce Young, Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Jameis Winston, Cam Newton and JaMarcus Russell.
“He’s just a great quarterback — and great people, he and his whole family,” Manning said. “Fernando just bubbles over with personality. Our whole (MPA) staff was crazy about him.”
In the elder Manning’s absence, his oldest son, Cooper, will handle the Q&A with Mendoza at the ceremony. WDSU-TV sports director Fletcher Mackel will serve as the emcee.
It’s only the second time Archie Manning has missed the ceremony since the Sugar Bowl named the award after his family and started presenting it in 2004. Manning said he texted Mendoza and his family to express his apologies for missing the festivities.
“This one is tough for me because of how much I think of Fernando,” Manning said.
Manning is optimistic the recent procedure on his back will allow him to get back on his feet soon.
Dr. Ronald Lehman, a spine specialist at New York Presbyterian Hospital, performed the procedure, which required seven hours to realign and stabilize Manning’s spinal column.
It’s the sixth back surgery Manning has undergone in the last two decades. He said the problems began after an auto accident roughly 20 years ago and have been exacerbated by the years of wear and tear from his 13-year NFL playing career with the Saints, Oilers and Vikings.
“I was in constant pain,” Manning said. “It had gotten to the point where I couldn’t stand more than 10 minutes. The doctor told me I was a year away from being in a wheelchair.”
The recovery process required Manning to spend six days in the hospital and 12 more in a rehab center in New Jersey, not far from youngest son Eli’s home. The proximity allowed Manning’s wife, Olivia, a convenient place to stay while he recovered.
“My wife is first team All-Pro,” Manning said. “She’s stronger than new rope.”
Manning, 76, returned to New Orleans on April 3 and is undergoing physical therapy to aid his recovery. He said the pain in his back and lower extremities has dissipated since the procedure. The challenge now is to regain his strength and mobility.
“The great news is the pain is gone in my lower back and legs, but I’ve got a long road ahead of me to get over the surgery,” he said. “I have to start with just getting out. I’m going to get there. But I’m not going to be running any high hurdles anytime soon.”