By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – When it comes to healthy aging, it’s good to hear from someone who is walking the walk.
Former NFL quarterback Archie Manning is doing that. The 74-year-old visited the Studio Theatre at Carter Green in Carmel Thursday afternoon as part of the Healthy Aging with Archie Manning event, hosted by Ascension St. Vincent.
Pete Bustamante, the Chief Medical Office for the Ascension St. Vincent North Region said that Ascension St. Vincent “is known for having the most robust senior care program in all of Ascension. And we actually have a very strong program that’s evidence-based in how to age in the best way that we can.” The cornerstone of that is studying what is called the four Ms: mobility, mentation, medications and what matters.
The attendees got a chance to meet Manning, who then participated in a conversation and Q&A period. That was followed by a healthy aging panel presentation and another Q&A.
“It wouldn’t be effective if they had a 40-year-old sitting up here who’s in this great health and runs marathons and everything telling 70-year-olds how to deal with life,” said Manning, who turns 75 in May. “I’m kind of walking the walk. I’ve had my share of some setbacks in the last 10 years to deal with, but also I just try to practice what we’re preaching here today. Be concerned about health care and to take care of ourselves and be able to enjoy this stage of our life.”
Archie Manning is the father of two sons who are multiple Super Bowl champions. Eli Manning won twice as the quarterback of the New York Giants. Peyton Manning finished his Pro Football Hall of Fame career by winning Super Bowl 50 in 2016 with the Denver Broncos – and of course, brought the Indianapolis Colts a Super Bowl XLI victory in 2007.
Several months after winning the Super Bowl with the Colts, the St. Vincent Children’s Hospital was renamed the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, after Peyton and his wife donated to the facility.
“I told him, this is your finest hour,” said Archie Manning.
Richard Eisgruber, Carmel, brought this photo of him with Archie and Peyton Manning. (Richie Hall)
Eli Manning and his wife have also gotten involved with a children’s hospital affiliated with the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss. Eli would establish Eli Manning Children’s Clinics; the Mannings co-chaired a $100 million campaign with the hospital, with the couple pledging $1 million.
“Sometimes daddies will say to me, you got to be so proud of your sons, won four Super Bowls,” said Archie Manning. “And I am, but I try to explain to them, you put yourself in my place. Yeah, you’re proud of the football part. But both of them have done their part in their respective communities.”
Archie Manning said that something “would be missing if they were champion football players and MVPs and so forth,” but they weren’t doing anything to give back to their communities. “It makes you proud that they want to give back,” he said.
Archie Manning was a college star at the University of Mississippi, where he was named to the All-SEC team in 1969 and 1970 and was the conference’s most valuable player in 1969. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Once he got to the NFL, Manning played for 13 years, most of them for the New Orleans Saints (1971-1982). He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1978 and 1979.
“I worked out hard and I trained hard because I was getting beat on a good bit and I wanted to be able to answer the bell,” said Manning. “And I just felt like, the better shape you’re in, the healthier you’re going to stay.”
Manning retired in 1984. After ending his playing days, he said he tried to remain active on health issues, such as working out hard, taking care of his cardiovascular health, get medical checkups and listen to his doctors.
Manning still looks healthy for his age, which he said has caught up to him in some ways.
“I’ve had knee replacements, I’ve had six spine surgeries,” he said. “It happens. But I think because of my attitude on taking care of myself and my attitude on conditioning that I’ve been able to get through those things.”
Manning said being active is the key, not just physical activity, but also keeping one’s mind active as well. Physically, he continues to do weight training with elastic bands and he rides his stationary bike to get his cardiovascular work in. He reads to keep his mind active.
“It’s just being active,” said Manning. “You got to keep going.”