Arch Manning has been an utter beauty to watch while playing for Texas. The legendary Manning family’s newest generation has everything it takes to be a bona fide name in the American Football realm. The standout Longhorns QB took centerstage, sprinting 67 yards with an insane 20.7 speed for a touchdown on Saturday, leading the team to a striking 56-7 win against the UTSA Roadrunners. The breathtaking display of what a player he’s shaping up to be stretched beyond the quality of his uncles, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, who were precise and alert in their game but lacked speed. The third-generation athlete has often been compared to his grandfather, Archie Manning, the prolific NFL figure.

Arch has although brought a whole new package to the table that holds more maturity, mobility and the unique ability of a dual threat passer, he undoubtedly owes some part of his talent to his superior genes to say the least. Broncos legend Shannon Sharpe noted his explosive running caliber was an inherited gift from his grandpa, the only Manning who used to make good use of his legs before Arch. But Sharpe isn’t the only one who can address that. During the latest edition of The Triple Option podcast, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell put a stamp on the narrative. ”I don’t think Texas is there yet, but I understand Arch is the crowd favorite,…I think it’s all a credit to the Manning family.” the most powerful man of the sports imparted.

However, going beyond the current Longhorns sensation, the commissioner shed light upon the generic scenario of the generational passing-the-torch tradition of US football and how it benefitted some over others.

NFL Commissioner draws a parallel between Marvin Harrison Jr. and Arch Manning

Football, less of a sport and more of a religion to the fanbase, has seen a seamless downstream flow of talents for ages. Beyond the breathtaking games and impressive performances of the youngsters, there has often been a deeper reality. Defining the non-football background kids, the NFL mogul noted, ”The way God created young people, they’re usually a mess. They have to listen. Every young person, in my experience, is listening to someone. 17- and 18-year-olds are not equipped to make life-changing decisions.”

But when it comes to the cream products of the football bloodline, they show the signs of a different breed right from the beginning. To draw a parallel comparison between Archie Manning and Arch Manning, the iconic grandfather-grandson, Goddell referred to another marquee familial pair, Marvin Harrison Sr-Marvin Harrison Jr.

”There’s no one better than Marvin Harrison Sr. He was the person that Marvin Harrison Jr. was listening to. It wasn’t about NIL; it wasn’t about money. It was about becoming the best possible version of yourself.” Goodell concluded.

If you want to know about other nitty-gritty of college football, you can refer to our ES Think Tank interview with Doug Sanders, founder of Sanders Sports and Entertainment.