Our countdown to the start of the New Orleans Saints’ 2024 season continues with Day 8. It just so happens to be that only one player has ever had the privilege of wearing this number, and that player is Archie Manning.
The father of Eli and Peyton Manning attended Ole Miss where he was a two-time first-team All-SEC player as well as a third-team All-American in 1969. In the 1971 NFL Draft, Manning was selected no. 2 overall by the Saints. During his time in New Orleans, Manning was for the most part a highly talented player on a not so talented team which led to some hard times in the Bayou. However, even with little success as a team Manning was able to carve out a 12-year career with the Saints passing for nearly 22,000 yards and 115 passing touchdowns. Manning was also named to two consecutive Pro Bowls in 1978 and 1979. Today, Manning is now honored and recognized to the highest degree as a he was elected into the teams Ring of Honor as well as the teams Hall of Fame. And for all the reasons above, it is likely that no other Saint will wear his No. 8 again.
Here are some great moments of Archie during his time as a Saint:
