THIBODAUX, La. — Peyton and Eli Manning took some time during their passing academy for youngsters this week to talk about facing off against one another again this season when the Denver Broncos play the New York Giants on Sept. 15.
The Houma Courier (http://bit.ly/15b4vIZ ) reported that Peyton, who is entering his 16th NFL season and second with Denver, said he remembers little from the two previous games against Eli except for a moment during the National Anthem.
“What I do recall from the first two games, I stand around the 40-45-yard line for the National Anthem. I look across, and I see Eli is in the same exact spot,” Peyton said. “So you do take a moment and realize how unique it is, but once the game starts, you play to win.”
Peyton and Eli, as well as their father, Archie, fielded questions Friday at press conference for the 2013 Manning Passing at Nicholls State.
The four-day camp ends Sunday.
While the brothers deflected some questions about the upcoming game, Peyton and Eli both said they understood how rare it is for brothers to quarterback opposing teams, and how the game may be the final time the two will compete against each other in the NFL.
Peyton is 2-0 against Eli as the Indianapolis Colts, Peyton’s former team, defeated the Giants in 2006 and 2010.
Without a win over his big brother, Eli is looking forward to the game, but he is also amazed at how Peyton played in the 2012 season after missing the entire 2011 season following neck surgery.
“(Playing against each other) doesn’t happen that often, and this will be the third time, so it is special to look at the other sideline and see my big brother. It is unique, and I look forward to it.”
Besides their upcoming game, the Mannings also spoke of their passing academy in its 18th year and the eighth at Nicholls.
Archie said he appreciates all the work done by the university and his staff to host 1,200 campers.
“Once again, we are excited to be back in Thibodaux. We have a great staff of college and pro coaches. We asked our coaches to stand up and give an introduction, and some of them say it is their 16th, 15th, 14th year coming back. That tells us that our staff likes coming back and want to come back,” Archie said. “It takes a lot of people to make this work. My boys have been here for 18 years, 100 percent of the time. Eli was a camper when we first started, and Peyton was a junior at Tennessee. We are glad to be here, and the weather got off to a good start.”
Besides working with the Mannings, campers also get instruction from high-profile college quarterbacks who work as counselors.
The list of college quarterbacks working the camp over the four days was highlighted by 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel and Alabama’s two-time national champion quarterback A.J. McCarron.
