Archie Manning Q&A with Rob Tuchman

They say timing is everything. I recently started writing a monthly column for Incentive Magazine. My job is to develop a Q&A article with a noted motivational speaker each month. Two months ago, I picked my first subject without realizing the impact of my decision. Let’s just say I couldn’t have gotten any luckier with my selection.

At the time I was doing a motivational speaking event for a client and I suggested Archie Manning as the speaker. Archie is an old pro at the speaking game and can work a room better then almost anyone I know. The event was here in New York City and, of course, we all know Archie’s son Eli plays for the New York Giants. Archie was a perfect fit for this Wall Street crowd. Archie did confide to me that he was glad the Giants had won that week during the season so he wouldn’t get a mouth full from his audience. You have to love New York.

All this happened back in December, including the cover shoot with Archie (photo above) and the appearance for TSE Sports & Entertainment. The magazine came out earlier this month. I don’t think anyone was predicting the Giants would win the Super Bowl and Eli Manning would be the MVP of the game when we decided to profile Archie. But that’s exactly what happened and Incentive Magazine is very happy to have Archie’s face on the cover.

I’m really ecstatic for Archie as he is both a decent and humble man. He has two sons who have won the Super Bowl and he is riding on top of the world, though you would never get that feeling by being with him. I’m glad this first article for Incentive worked out well for everyone and I hope you enjoy it. Each month I will post my article here or you can always read it at incentivemag.com. Maybe Incentive Magazine will soon become known as the “Opposite SI Jinx!” I guess it all depends on my next interview!

The following is my interview with Archie from Incentive Magazine…

As quarterback for the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982, Manning was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1978, and he continues to hold the most passing records for the Saints. He was voted Most Popular Saint in franchise history. In 1992, Manning was voted Mississippi’s All-Time Greatest Athlete. Today he enjoys speaking to groups at business meetings and corporate events.

Q. What is your typical speaking topic?

Archie Manning: I have about three. One of them is principles for success. It’s kind of a comparison of football to the business world and their similarities. Another is business management. The other is personal management…and of course I have a lot of war stories.

Q. What do you enjoy most about giving speeches?

AM: The opportunity to meet people in the business world and to learn about their companies and businesses. I like witnessing the success stories. Also the friendships I’ve made traveling around the country and speaking to various groups.

Q. Do you enjoy the interaction with clients, signing autographs, and taking pictures?

AM: I enjoy people and meeting people, and if an autograph or photograph gives them pleasure, I’m happy to oblige, as long as it’s in a controlled environment. It’s part of meeting people.

Q. How many appearances and speeches will you give a year?

AM: I probably wind up doing 25 to 50 engagements a year; it really depends how much I want to take on. My only reservation is traveling. Some years I back off because of issues with travel.

Q. Are your speeches motivational, spiritual or comical?

AM: A combination of comical and motivational.

Q. How do you come up with your speeches?

AM: I have three base speeches, and oftentimes I will tweak them based on the client or audience.

Q. What motivates you to do speaking engagements?

AM: My mother entered me into a talent contest when I was 14 years old—I had the choice of singing with my sister or a public speaking contest. And while I love my sister, I didn’t want to sing with her, so I chose the public speaking contest. I trained for it and won first place and entered again the next year! I believe this conquered any anxiety I may have had of getting up and speaking in front of a group. As an adult, I started speaking to youth groups, then touchdown clubs, quarterback clubs and then it just evolved to corporate speaking.

Q. Do you prefer speaking to certain types of groups or industries?

AM: It doesn’t matter to me—I do enjoy the corporate because you hear success stories about businesses and individuals. But I also enjoy philanthropic speaking, chambers of commerce, boy scouts, communities, etc. I really enjoy it all.

Q. Do you get a lot of questions about your sons, Peyton and Eli?

AM: Oh yeah, of course. And I enjoy Q&As—they are what lead to funny stories, good examples of situations, etc. I really enjoy them.

Q. Favorite speech you gave or motivational moment?

AM: I’ve had so many wonderful experiences that I can’t really single out one. I’ve made some wonderful friends through speaking and I’m grateful for that. And when someone tells me they’ve enjoyed my speech, I can tell they mean it, and it’s very rewarding.

Sidebar: Rob Tuchman’s Top Athlete/Speakers

1. Bill Walton - NBA Hall-of-Famer
He never watches the clock and consistently spends more time with a group than he contracted for. He also does a great job at integrating a corporate message into his speech.

2. Tiki Barber - NY Giants running back and NBC broadcaster
Corporate events come as easy to him as running the football did when he was with the New York Giants.

3. Michael Strahan - NY Giants defensive end
Really seems to enjoy working a room and making sure even the most shy person is having a good time.

4. Greg Biffle - NASCAR driver
Who? All your attendees will know this NASCAR great. As most NASCAR drivers know, the sponsor is king.

5. Charles Barkley - NBA Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist
What you see on television is what you get with Sir Charles. He can make the most hardened CEO smile.

6. Terry Bradshaw - NFL Hall of Famer and Fox NFL broadcaster
Any football fan will recognize the bald pate and broad grin of Terry Bradshaw. The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and longtime NFL analyst remains a favorite speaker for his quick wit and generous nature. “He’ll do a speech in the morning, play golf in the afternoon, and join the awards dinner at night, and clearly have a lot of fun doing it all,” says Tom Hurley, VP of sales at JNR Inc., an Irvine, Calif.–based incentive house.

7. Marv Levy - Recently retired Buffalo Bills head coach
The wise old grandfather with incredible stories to tell.

8. Cal Ripken, Jr. - Baltimore Oriole and consecutive-game record holder
One thing is for sure—if you book him, he’ll be there.

9. Mike Eruzione - U.S. Olympic “Miracle on Ice” hockey team captain
A master at the motivational speech. Thankfully that puck he shot in the 1980 Olympics was not a few inches wide of the goal, or we would have never known.