The ESPN Special “The Book of Manning” which has been airing all week on ESPN, is a documentary, which tells the story of The Manning Family. If you’ve been hiding under a rock, The Manning family consists of parents Archie and Olivia Manning. NFL brothers, QB Peyton Manning of The Denver Broncos, Eli Manning of The New York Giants and Cooper Manning, who at the age of 18, was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which force him to end his college football career, before it even started.
Even though, the documentary shows the brothers as kids, playing football in the backyard of the family home, the story is really about their father, former NFL QB Archie Manning of the expansion team, the New Orleans Saints. The behind the scene look into Archie’s life is truly amazing and yet sad. The loss of Archie’s Father due to suicide, helped mold him into the father he is today. One thing I’ve noticed is how Archie really longed for physical affection (hug, kiss) from his dad. To his own admission, he acknowledged men just didn’t show affection to their kids in those days. You could see how that lack of physical love from his dad really left him hollow.
You would think when Archie started his family, he would continue the same cycle, but he went the opposite way, by choosing to hug and kiss his sons. Archie made a conscious effort to be an hands on dad. What I hope that people can see, especially men, is the importance of loving your kids, not just through, buying them toys, clothes and video games, but through physical love. A hug goes a long way in a child’s life, especially young boys.
What captivates me most about this story is how close the entire family is and it all goes back to Archie Manning, calling the RIGHT Play….. by Loving his Sons.
By ROBBIEROB MVP
Sports Blogger
ReelUrbanNews.com
