The 2017 College Football Hall of Fame Class was honored by the NFF on Tuesday at the Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan. The distinguished class includes Bob Crable (Notre Dame), Marshall Faulk (San Diego State), Kirk Gibson (Michigan State), Matt Leinart (Southern California), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Bob McKay (Texas), Dat Nguyen (Texas A&M), Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern), Mike Ruth (Boston College), Brian Urlacher (New Mexico) and coaches Danny Ford (Clemson, Arkansas), Larry Kehres (Mount Union [Ohio]) and Steve Spurrier (Duke, Florida, South Carolina).
With all of the drama surrounding the New York Giants and Eli Manning, the presence of Peyton and his pops Archie, also a member of the CFB Hall of Fame, was a big draw for the press in attendance.
The Shadow League caught up with Archie and asked the proud papa some questions about the family and the recent firing of the Giants executive branch.
I like Ben (McAdoo)…with all the injuries they’ve had this year, Archie told TSL. Jerry Reese has been good at what he does for a long time so, its just unfortunate.
In response to Eli possibly starting on Sunday now that the old regime is out, Archie said, Well…hes gotta be ready. Its not easy. So, hell go to work this week and hopefully theyll come out and play hard and hang in.
TSL asked Archie about how the tumultuous week was for Eli.
Elis emotional, I just told him. Hey its football. Its life. Its not the end of the world. Hang in. Be classy. I think he did. It was an unusual week, but we handled and were proud of him.
While Eli experienced some pain this week, Peyton was on top of the world with his CFB HOF induction. Manning recalled the first time he rocked a tuxedo. He was 13 years old, and he was in New York for his fathers College Football Hall of Fame ceremony. Manning’s mother, Olivia, let him and his two brothers skip school for the occasion.
“First time wearing a tuxedo, Peyton said. First time being in New York.
The legacy of the Manning Family quarterbacks continues even as their actual presence on the field wanes.
Our family is very excited for Peyton, said Archie. He was very passionate about college football. I think he really went slow through his four years at Tennessee and soaked everything up and enjoyed the experience. So now 20 years later to go in the Hall of Fame with a great class is special.
