Ole Miss Legend Archie Manning named 2016 NFF Gold Medal Recipient

The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that former Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning has been named the 2016 recipient of the NFF Gold Medal.

The Gold Medal recognizes a special individual who has displayed integrity, been successful in his or her career and demonstrated the basic values of those who have excelled in an amateur sport. Manning will be honored for his achievements on and off the field during the 59^th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 6 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

“Archie Manning became an icon as one of the greatest players to ever set foot on the gridiron, and he subsequently used his standing to become one of the game’s greatest ambassadors,” said NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell.

“The entire football community has been blessed by his enormous contributions, and we take great pride in having him as our chairman. He has earned this honor many times over, and we are extremely proud to add his name to the esteemed list of past NFF Gold Medal recipients.”

Archie Manning (Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics)

Manning was an All-America quarterback for the Rebels, a Pro Bowl quarterback for the New Orleans Saints and a College Football Hall of Fame inductee. After his football career, Manning has excelled as an investment broker, broadcaster, restaurateur, endorser, community leader and philanthropist.

In 1993, Manning joined the NFF Board of Directors. He was part of the board of directors until 2007 when he became the NFF Chairman and the leader of a nationwide network of 120 chapters in 47 states with more than 12,000 members.

While Manning was chairman, the NFF saw tremendous growth and his guidance played an intriguing role in the recent opening of the $68.5 million College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Manning also helped launch the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame, which raise and distribute millions of dollars for the NFF scholarships, programs and initiatives.

The organization currently distributes more than $1.3 million each year and recognizes student-athletes for their hard work on and off the gridiron.

“There are a lot of good things and people because of football, and we recognize them,” Manning said in a promotional video for the organization. “I am especially proud of the fact that we recognize that scholar-athlete, and we reward kids starting in high school with our charter program, distributing scholarships to those who do a great job of balancing football time with their academic requirements.”

In addition to the presentation of the NFF Major Awards, the NFF and College Hall of Fame will make way for the 2016 College Football Hall of Fame which includes: Marlin Briscoe (Nebraska-Omaha), Derrick Brooks (Florida State), Tom Cousineau (Ohio State), Randall Cunningham (UNLV), Troy Davis (Iowa State), William Fuller (North Carolina), Bert Jones (LSU), Tim Krumrie (Wisconsin), Pat McInally (Harvard), Herb Davis (Colorado), Bill Royce (Ashland [Ohio]), Mike Utley (Washington State), Scott Woerner (Georgia), Rod Woodson (Purdue), and coaches Bill Bowes (New Hampshire) and Frank Girardi (Lycoming [Pa.]).

For ticket information to the 59^th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, contact NFF Director of External Relations Will Rudd at 972-556-1000 or wrudd@footballfoundation.com