Manning family legacy in New Orleans grows with the renaming of Children’s Hospital New Orleans to Manning Family Children’s Hospital. As Eli Manning awaits the decision on his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he and his family continue to strengthen their bond with their hometown, a place that reveres them as local legends.
During a “Louisiana Legacy” event on Wednesday, just days before New Orleans prepares to host its 11th Super Bowl, the announcement was made regarding the hospital’s new name following a significant donation from the Manning family.
Archie Manning, the 75-year-old father of Eli, expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s incredibly difficult to describe what it means to have a hospital named after you. This is far beyond any accolade in sports. We hold immense respect for this hospital and its leadership, and to honor our family in this way is among the most remarkable moments of my life. I am truly overwhelmed.”
Having made New Orleans their home for over 54 years, Archie and Olivia Manning were married just before Archie was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in January 1971. Their three sons—Cooper, Peyton, and Eli—were all born and raised in this vibrant city. While Peyton, a two-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer, could not attend the event due to prior commitments, he shared a video message expressing his appreciation and confirming his arrival in New Orleans on Friday.
Eli Manning, who also secured two Super Bowl victories with the New York Giants, is eligible for the Hall of Fame this year, with the 2025 class announcement set for Thursday evening.
Reflecting on his roots, Eli remarked, “New Orleans holds a special place in my heart, having grown up and been raised here. My parents have lived here for 54 years, and even though my family and I reside elsewhere, this city always feels like home. We cherish every opportunity to return and seek ways to give back to the New Orleans community. Contributing to the children’s hospital is one meaningful way to ensure that the youth in this city receive the best care and have the opportunity to lead healthy, happy lives. It is a privilege to be involved.”
The Manning legacy continues with a third generation of quarterbacks, as Cooper’s son, Arch, is making a name for himself in his third year at the University of Texas. Cooper reminisced about how close their home is to the hospital, recalling moments during youth football practices when players would pause to pray whenever a hospital helicopter flew overhead, bringing in patients in need.
Before the official naming, the family engaged in a “fireside chat” where Olivia shared a humorous memory from the 1980 Saints season, notorious for their 1-15 record. She recounted how young Cooper questioned whether it was acceptable to join the crowd in booing the team and if it was permissible to wear paper bags over their heads, a trend among frustrated fans.
The Mannings have a history of significant contributions to pediatric healthcare. Peyton has a children’s hospital named in his honor in Indianapolis, while Eli has children’s clinics named after him in Mississippi, where both he and Archie played college football. Archie humorously noted, “Cooper and I thought it was time to get into the children’s hospital business.”
Reflecting on their philanthropic journey, Archie stated, “In 2007, we dedicated the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, and in 2009, we opened the Eli Manning Children’s Clinics in Jackson, Mississippi. After those events, I told my sons, ‘This is your finest hour.’ Without a doubt, renaming this hospital is our family’s finest hour.”
Greg Auman serves as an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He previously covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. Follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.
