Archie & Eli Manning Talk Fatherhood, Football, and Freezing Under Pressure
Football stars and proud dads, Archie and Eli Manning. Photo: Getty Images
Sundays (a.k.a. game days) are special in the Manning household. Father Archie Manning played quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in the 1970s and ‘80s. His kids, Peyton and Eli, have carried on the family football tradition serving as NFL QBs for the Denver Bronco and New York Giants, respectively. Not only are the sons Super Bowl champs (one ring for Peyton and two for Eli), they were both the first draft picks in the first round, straight out of college. Not bad for a first post-graduation gig.
Although it’s the off-season, this Sunday — Father’s Day — will still be extremely important for proud dads Archie and Eli. “People tell you how great it is [to be a grandparent],” says Archie Manning. “I say it’s underrated. We have eight [grandkids] now. I’m looking forward to this weekend, spending time with [Eli’s] three.” They will undoubtedly share laughs and make memories without the weight of the gridiron — but thankfully the fam has a solution for stress, too. Here Eli shares how he survives a girl-governed home and his high hopes for the upcoming season.
Have you shared any grooming advice with each other over the years?
Eli Manning: Know where you’re going and what people will be wearing. Something we’ve talked about is erring on the side of having a tie and a jacket on. You want to be comfortable.
Archie Manning: My thought on grooming is respect the situation. If you’re going to be somewhere you need to be dressed up: Put on a coat and tie. If it’s in between and just 20 percent of the people are wearing a coat and tie, wear a coat and tie. I’m proud of these guys when I’m home on a Sunday afternoon and I see them post-game wearing a coat and tie. I think it looks good.
What does your grooming regimen entail?
Eli Manning: I don’t have an exact system on how often I shave. I try to be pretty well-kept and try to look good. Going to football practice, you don’t always have to look your exact best year-round. I’m with 60 guys most of the day. On game day, if I have events or appearances or a date with my wife, I try to be well groomed.
What are your favorite grooming tools?
Eli Manning: I got a Gillette razor when I was 18, and I’ve used it ever since. I use their shaving gel. Besides that, whatever shampoo or soap my wife buys – I use that.
Do you steal your wife’s beauty products?
Eli Manning: She is in charge of that aspect. She used to buy my razors, but with Gillette Shave Club, I’ve taken that responsibility off of her. I’m in charge of picking out how often I need them to come, and they deliver to the door. I get to be in charge of something!
Any regimens she wants you to adopt?
Eli Manning: She tries to put stuff under my eyes. It started tingling a little bit. I don’t like it. I can look a little older! I can handle it.
Tell us about your first pedicure experience.
Eli Manning: Don’t lie!
Archie Manning: I had this pedicure seven years ago when I was with my wife. I did it just for the heck of it. I did something funny. I got my big toenail painted for my granddaughter. It was red with a little star on it. Nobody told me, “You can’t wipe that off.” We go to Eli’s wedding out in Cabo [San Lucas]. The first night the party was on the beach. They gave you flip-flops to wear. I took off my shoe, and I went, “Nooo!” I put my shoes back on. I was a novice to the pedicure.
Are there any other beauty treatments you’ve tried?
Eli Manning: I’ve never done a body wrap. I’m good for a facial every two years. My wife talks me into it. It’s a little more painful, I always forget. All of my experiences have been good. No negative experiences.
You grew up in a male-dominated household. How has having three daughters changed you?
Eli Manning: It’s been fun. It’s a little bit different growing up. I was the youngest of three boys. It was a lot of sports. Both my brothers played every sport, and our house was where the neighborhood kids always came over. We had a small basketball court in the back. Now, with three girls, it’s a lot more dress up. They have all the Frozen dresses and tea parties, and a little bit more singing.
Are your girls into sports?
Eli Manning: In summer, we do a lot of swimming and we get out a bunch. I still like the activity and get them running around. I make sure they’re active.
How often do you go for massages?
Eli Manning: During the football season, I get a massage every week. I try to rejuvenate the body, so I’m good to go the next week.
Archie Manning: I read about how good it is for you. I really like it.
What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
Eli Manning: It’s our second year in this new offense. I think we finished the season strong, so I’m excited about getting back on the field and having all our weapons healthy with Odell [Beckham Jr.] and Victor Cruz. Just being out there, and winning games, making the playoffs, and hopefully bringing a championship back to New York.
Do you ever feel pressured to live up to expectations? How do you deal with stress?
Eli Manning: Having a father who played professional football and a brother who was just five years older than me and having success in college and in the NFL, I think I accepted the fact that I’m going to work as hard as I can and do everything possible to be the best player I can be. I don’t worry about being as good as my brother or as good as anyone else – just as good as I can be. I never thought anything different about it.
Archie Manning: Peyton has a saying he got from a great coach named Chuck Noll. He says pressure is when you don’t know what you’re doing. These guys have tried to know what they’re doing. Preparation is a good thing. I think they learned early from coaches.
What makes you feel the most confident?
Eli Manning: When you know what you’re doing. When you see a defense and know exactly what defense it is, what play you’ve got. If you’re giving a talk or a speech, and you’ve got that speech down. If you’re in a room of people and you know everybody in the room and they’re your closest friends, you’re the most confident and secure. Knowing your circumstances, what you’re trying to accomplish and having a goal, and having prepared to reach that goal.
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