PEYTON Manning had a feeling that a current NFL star would turn out to be a future Hall of Famer just by watching one pass of his.
There was a past moment when Manning identified a future $364 million NFL great.
3
Peyton Manning won five NFL MVPs and is considered one of the best quarterbacks of all timeCredit: Getty
3
It’s been revealed that the Pro Football Hall of Famer needed just one pass to identify a future NFL starCredit: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via G
Manning comes from a legendary family, as he’s the second son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and older brother of New York Giants legend Eli Manning.
And Peyton, who’s a Pro Football Hall of Famer, knows a thing or two about elite quarterbacks and how to identify them.
During The Manning Passing Academy, which was founded by Archie in 1996, Peyton witnessed Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Matthew Stafford throw one pass and immediately knew that he would be a future NFL star.
Peyton’s older brother, Cooper, recently recalled the story of seeing Stafford throw at the Manning Passing Academy during the Under the Numbers Podcast.
“I can remember standing next to Peyton one time when these college kids were throwing, and Matthew Stafford dropped back and threw one. Peyton was like, ‘Yep, he’ll be the No. 1 pick,” Cooper said.
“It was like two throws – it was that simple.”
Stafford would become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
He’s earned two Pro Bowl nods and is currently sixth all-time in passing yards per game.
And Stafford would lead the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl 56 victory in 2022.
Peyton has previously spoken about Stafford’s impressive performance at the Manning Passing Academy.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in ‘vacation mode’ as NFL star makes major decision over his Kansas City Chiefs future
“You were at our camp back in 2008 and I’ve got to tell you, I’ve never told you this, Eli and I were arguing over who had to throw after you because you were throwing the tightest spiral,” Peyton told Stafford during ESPN’s ManningCast in 2021.
“I remember you were throwing a post route, and you waited till the receiver got to like 60 yards before you threw it.
“For me, I’d have to hit the cut-off man to make a throw going 60 yards.”
Cooper also revealed that Peyton was also impressed by a throw that future MVP and quarterback Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, made while working at the Manning Passing Academy.
“I remember watching Josh Allen – we had a quarterback competition, and it was raining,” Cooper said.
3
The 2009 No. 1 overall pick Stafford has two Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl victory on his stellar resumeCredit: Getty
“He threw a ball 79 yards in the rain and hit the back of a moving golf cart – that was his target.
“I was like, ‘Goodness gracious.'”
It’ll be worth monitoring who Peyton believes can be a star in the NFL.
He’ll be back for a fifth season of the Monday Night Football alternate broadcast, Manningcast, in the fall.