One NFL player you forgot played for your favorite team

Minnesota Vikings – Archie Manning

One of the more recognizable names in the NFL, Archie Manning is famous for two things. One is being the patriarch of the most prominent football family in America. The other is being the biggest star for a struggling New Orleans Saints franchise during the 1970s.

Two of Manning’s sons, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, went on to become the No. 1 overall selections in their respective drafts. They also each won two Super Bowls as Peyton did so with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos while Eli defeated Tom Brady and the Patriots twice with the New York Giants.

Their father never got to taste that kind of success as he joined a very young, and inexperienced football program in 1971. The Saints were first introduced to the world in 1967 and they used the No. 2 overall pick on Manning in 1971. He never had a great cast around him and his best season was in 1979 when he led them to an 8-8 record.

Overall, Manning was 35-91-3 as the starter but was still highly thought of. A lot of the issue in New Orleans was the talent around him as Manning spent much of his career being harrassed by defenders. Eventually, his time with New Orleans came to an end as they traded the veteran to the Houston Oilers for Leon Gray. He played in just eight games for Houston and was 0-8 for them.

The Minnesota Vikings decided to trade for Manning in 1983 s they lost starting quarterback Tommy Kramer to an injury. Manning gave them an experienced option but again, he was unable to find success and was just 0-2 for the Vikings.