It’s no secret that Cooper Manning, elder brother of football greats Eli and Peyton, had a short-lived football career – but did he actually play in the NFL or not? That’s the question I’m going to answer today, and you may be surprised by what I have to say!
First off, the answer is yes – Cooper did play football, but it was not in the NFL. He was a tight-end for Ole Miss during the 1993-1996 seasons. However, a spinal condition forced him to retire from the team in 1997. While this was a huge blow for Cooper, it ultimately led him on a different path to success in the investment world.
Despite being sidelined from his professional football career, Cooper never lost his love for the game. In fact, he’s now a frequent football analyst for the Fox Sports network, and is a regular co-host on the show ‘Brothers in the NFL’. On these shows, Cooper delights viewers with light-hearted humor and his unique insights into the world of professional football.
His NFL experience may have been cut short, but Cooper has still made a big impact on the football world. Though he never stepped foot on the field during an NFL game, his brothers certainly did. And, throughout his time as a player at Ole Miss, Cooper was a great example and mentor to many budding football stars.
Perhaps most importantly, Cooper gives us a reminder about how life can throw us some curveballs, even when we may feel like we’ve already got everything figured out. Even if you have a great plan and fail-safe options in place, there is no guarantee that things will go your way. That’s why it’s important to always be open to change, and embrace new opportunities. You just never know where the journey may lead.
Speaking of journeys, I can’t forget to mention Cooper’s most recent accomplishments. In 2017, he helped create a new online sports media network called KIP, bringing together both veteran and young players to share inspiring stories. And last year, he started his own charity – the Archie Manning Manning Family Fund – to help young people in need of medical care. It’s great to see that even though Cooper was forced to step away from the game he loves, he still found ways to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Obviously, Cooper didn’t get the chance to prove himself as a professional player, but this didn’t rob him of his ability to make meaningful contributions to the world of football. His determination, resilience, and willingness to try something new are admirable qualities that we can all strive to emulate. Who knows where else he may end up in the future!