Manning Passing Academy: Why the best football players in America come to Thibodaux each summer
The most famous family in football isn't native to Louisiana, but it didn't take long to place roots down in the state.
Archie Manning was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1971, and even though it's been more than 40 years since leaving the team, he's still revered as one of the most popular players in Saints history. All three of his sons — Cooper, Peyton, and Eli — played high school football in Louisiana, as did his grandson, Arch.
Twelve years after Archie's retirement from the NFL, the Manning family gave back to the state they adopted as their own, hosting the first Manning Passing Academy in 1996. The camp was opened to the top high school quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends in the country.
The MPA bounced between multiple different college campuses throughout Louisiana in its first decade, most notably Tulane and Southeastern Louisiana. But in 2005, it found its permanent home in Thibodaux at Nicholls' John L. Guidry Stadium.
The partnership has been mutually beneficial.
The camp has exploded in popularity since moving to Thibodaux. Quarterbacks across college football highly regard the chance to serve as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy, according to Arch's interview with NBC Sports earlier this week. Forty-six quarterbacks, representing the biggest names and programs in college football, are set to attend this year's camp as counselors. In fact, many of the top quarterbacks in the NFL today — including reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes II, and recent Heisman winners Bryce Young and Jayden Daniels — are alumni of the camp, as either a high school or college athlete.
Get the full QB list here: Manning Passing Academy 2024: Glen Powell, Will Howard, Arch Manning, Jaxson Dart among participants
At the same time, the city and parish see a large boost to their economy during the yearly four-day camp. Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Tourism estimates that Lafourche Parish generates over $3 million in economic impact, as well as renting out over 700 hotel rooms in and around Thibodaux as players, coaches, and fans come to town.
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The camp isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
In 2023, the Mannings and Nicholls State University extended their contract through 2028, keeping the camp in town for years to come. In a show of appreciation of and respect towards the family, the school renamed its playing field prior to 2007's camp. For the last 17 years, every athlete that has set foot in John L. Guidry Stadium has done so on Manning Field.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: Why the best football players in America come to Thibodaux each summer
