Arch Manning's journey in the football world is closely intertwined with that of his dad, Cooper Manning. From growing up with football legends to making important decisions, here's a detailed look at their story.

Uncover the Life and Legacy of Arch Manning's Dad

He's from New Orleans

Cooper Manning's roots in Louisiana run deep. His father, Archie, was drafted to the New Orleans Saints in 1971, and during his time with the NFL team from 1971 to 1982, Archie and his wife Olivia welcomed Cooper and his brothers in the Crescent City. Cooper still lives in the area with his family and loves sharing local insights. He once suggested to Town & Country in November 2016 that making a local friend and attending a crawfish boil is a must. The smell of spices and delicious food during these gatherings is truly unforgettable. Corn, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, and garlic all come together in this Louisiana tradition.Even at family events like the University of Tennessee football game, Cooper's connection to his hometown is evident.

He has been married since 1999

Cooper met his wife Ellen in the early 1990s and they got married in 1999. Ellen is a New Orleans native with an athletic background. As a skilled middle hitter, she led the Academy of the Sacred Heart to its first-ever volleyball state championship in 1986. She also shone in track, earning all-district honors for the high jump and was inducted into the Sacred Heart Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. When Arch had a 67-yard rushing touchdown against UTSA in September 2024, Cooper attributed it to Ellen's track abilities. Academically, Ellen was a top performer, graduating from Sacred Heart and later earning her law degree from Loyola University New Orleans. Cooper once shared on the Youth Inc. podcast in March 2022 that his wife is good at everything, from karaoke to painting and volleyball.

He's a father of three

Besides Arch, Cooper and Ellen have two other children. Their oldest daughter, May, is a student at the University of Virginia and a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She previously attended her mother's alma mater and was the captain of the volleyball team, winning the Louisiana State Division IV girls volleyball championship and named the most valuable player. Their youngest child, Heid, played football at Isidore Newman School and is now studying at the University of Texas. Despite Arch's growing status as a football star and his siblings' athletic achievements, Cooper ensures their household maintains a down-to-earth approach. At the dinner table, they talk about normal school life and crushes, not just football.

He's a former athlete

Cooper was once a standout all-state receiver in high school. He was known for catching touchdown passes from his younger brother, Peyton, at Isidore Newman School. However, his promising athletic career was cut short when he began experiencing numbness in his hands and fingers before his freshman year at the University of Mississippi in 1992. After a series of tests, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which required surgery and ended his football career. Despite this, Cooper remained his brothers' biggest cheerleader and didn't hold any bitterness. He told USA Today, "When they took football away from me, I never took it out on the game. I just said, this is the hand I'm dealt and I'm going to play it."

He works in TV and finance

Since 2014, Cooper has been sharing his football insights and humor on Fox NFL Kickoff through The Manning Hour. The show features short, two-minute segments with a variety of guests. Additionally, he teamed up with his brother Peyton to host and executive produce two seasons of NBC's Capital One College Bowl, where students answered trivia questions about football. Beyond sports, Cooper has a career in business as the senior managing director of investor relations at AJ Capital Partners. He previously worked with Howard Weil in New Orleans and played a key role in the company's sale in 2012.

He helped Arch make a major decision

When Arch emerged as one of the most highly sought-after high school quarterbacks, the Manning family carefully researched his college options. Arch visited several top programs like Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, and LSU. When it came time to decide, Cooper offered practical guidance. He said, "My goal as a dad was to be there like a concierge. At the end of the day, I asked Arch, when on Sunday night, after throwing four interceptions, with his girlfriend breaking up with him, two tests on Monday he hadn't studied for, in the rain and cold and a bit homesick, where does he want to be? And he said, 'I want to be at the University of Texas.' And I said, 'Well, there's your answer. Done.'"