Chuck Culpepper Sep 11, 2026, 07:00 AM ET Close Chuck Culpepper is an Enterprise writer for ESPN.

Fame took its time with Archie Manning six decades ago. When a Mississippi State coach tried to lure Manning to Starkville by noting that Ole Miss had signed eight quarterbacks, it came as news to Manning. "We got the Memphis paper. We didn't get the Jackson paper," he said.

Two generations later, Arch Manning began his eighth football season of being famous at 22. His father, Cooper, recalled, "Arch always said growing up, I can remember him being 6 or 7, 'I want to play quarterback one day in college, but I don't have any interest in being famous.'"

At the University of Texas, Arch said, "I'd say it's fair for me to think it's a little absurd. I really just like playing football with my buddies... if I were to take something away from my life, it would definitely be that."