Archie Manning Will Get Air Time At Super Bowl, But How Much?

NFL News - February 3rd, 2010 - Written by John Ritter

It could have been a day of celebration for Archie Manning when he saw his beloved New Orleans Saints clinch their first Super Bowl in franchise history.

He could have finally felt solace in the fact that the team he drug through the 70s had finally broken the barrier, and removed themselves from the not-so-glamorous list of teams who have never reached the championship (there are only four now).

Sunday could have been a day that Manning would be covered with black-and-gold, mind-and-body, with little question who he was rooting for.

Only if.

Only if his bloodline wasn't standing in the way. As ticket sales indicate the game will be bombarded by New Orleans fans, decked out in 'Who Dat' gear, Archie won't be among them. He pledged his allegiance to the Colts this weekend because his son, Peyton, will be the quarterback on the other sideline as Indianapolis aims to win it's second championship in four years.

“I appreciate the Saints, but I can’t cheer against my own son,” Archie told The New York Times.

Archie said there will be no waffling. He is pulling for his son without reservation. But it will still be interesting to watch his reaction at the game as he will undoubtedly receive a luxury box with the rest of the Manning family. Bodog is guessing that the CBS cameras find him often during the game, setting an over/under line of four. The NFL Betting site is favoring the over with -170 odds, but will pay out at +140 if he is shown less than that.

Archie holds many of the Saints quarterbacking records, playing for the team for 12 years. He won the NFC's Player of the Year in 1978, and was selected to the Pro Bowl that season and the one after. His best year came in 1980, when he threw for 3,716 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Manning's brother, Eli, who won the championship with the New York Giants in 2008, will also be an interesting target. His target line on Bodog is three appearances, again favoring the over.

Most NFL Sportsbooks think Peyton will have a big day, favoring him to pass his 247-yard total from Super Bowl 41, and eventually win the game's MVP.

But, as mentioned, there will be plenty of support on the New Orleans' sideline because tickets are being gobbled up by it's fans at a four-times higher rate than Indianapolis'.

Although Archie may have a soft spot for his old team more-so than he is letting on, it is clear that the team won't be hurting without him.