Manning was an Ole Miss All-American quarterback and a Pro Bowler with the New Orleans Saints. He is the latest of a long list of Gold Medal winners. The first of these was President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 1958. Six other U.S. presidents have been honored, along with four generals and three admirals. One Supreme Court justice, as well as a number of luminaries, including actor John Wayne and baseball legend Jackie Robinson. The National Football Foundation’s highest honor is the gold medal. It is presented to recognize contributions to amateur football. In 2007, Roger Staubach, Hall of Fame quarterback, was awarded the gold medal. It seems like a good time for Manning and Staubach to be compared, who were both quarterbacks of the same era but had very different professional football careers. Staubach, who was a Dallas Cowboys player, was named the NFL’s quarterback for 1970s. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and has won two Super Bowls as well as four conference championships. Manning, however, has never backed a winning team in NFL. What is the difference? Staubach said, “Luck or geography.” “I played for Archie and the Cowboys. Also, I was lucky. Archie didn’t.” I called Staubach (AKA Captain Comeback, Roger the Dodger) to get his thoughts on Manning’s legacy, and how the Saints’ No. How 8 compares to other quarterbacks from his era. Staubach, now 74, is wildly successful in real estate and active. He was keen to discuss Manning, who he considers a friend. “You know that the Saints are a great team. . . Staubach stated that the organization was a very successful one. “The Saints Archie played for weren’t like that.” Staubach said. Archie Manning was a great football quarterback for bad teams. “On the other side, I was fortunate and went to the Cowboys. The whole time, I only had one coach. Staubach stated that he lost track of the number of Archie’s coaches. Staubach said, “Unless you have played quarterback in the NFL there is no way to understand the difference it makes.” Staubach was with the Cowboys for the majority of his career. He had Tom Landry and the same supporting cast. He was able to rely on his familiar receivers, strong and steady offensive lines, and the backing of a running team. Manning, on the other hand, had to endure six coaches over a period of ten seasons. The Saints running game was largely Archie running for his own life. He tossed more passes than he could count, and one he didn’t recognize. Archie will tell the story. Manning stated that “we had gone through I don’t know how many tight end that year.” “And this man comes in with the play, and I looked at them. I realized that I didn’t really know him. I asked, “Who are you?”” He had signed the previous day. There was not much chance of success. There was also the time that the Saints had Jubilee Dunbar as a speedy receiver. He could run like the wind, but had some other, shall we say, flaws. Dunbar was to run a short out-pattern as a safety valve on one Sunday play. Manning, however, was running for his own life. Dunbar, as is often the case with Dunbar, ran the wrong course. Archie threw his ball as far as possible before being buried by the opposition. The crowd roared and Archie heard it again. Jubilee was running a deep post, not the short out, and had caught it in stride for a touchdown of 70 yards. Archie stated that Jubilee didn’t realize he was using the wrong pattern. Manning was sacked an unprecedented 340 times by the Saints during his career. This despite the fact that he was one the most difficult quarterbacks of his time. Manning was often chased into the pocket against Cowboys and Rams teams. He can be sure that all the sacks contributed to the four major operations (back, neck and knee, back again) he’s had in the past three years. Staubach stated that it didn’t seem fair in the beginning and still doesn’t. “But I know how great he was. Everyone in the league knew how great he was.” Staubach points to a 1971 game, Manning’s rookie year. On their way to the Super Bowl, the Cowboys played New Orleans in mid-October. Cowboys tried to use a two-quarterback scheme, but Craig Morton was chosen as the quarterback. The Saints, who are lowly, took control of the game quickly. Manning ran for one touchdown, and the Saints led 17-1 at halftime. Landry introduced Staubach in the second quarter and the Cowboys pulled within 17-14. Manning then scored the winning touchdown on a two year run, scoring a victory of 24-14. Staubach stated, “That turned out as a big game to me, even though it was lost.” “It was an excellent break for me, and you must have them in your career. Archie never had any.” Landry quickly selected Staubach to be his man and the Cowboys won 11 out of their last 12. They also finished the season back at Tulane Stadium where they beat the Dolphins 24-3. Manning was the leader in passing for the league with a 2-11-1 team. He was named the NFC Player-of-the Year in 1978 for a team that went 7-9. Staubach stated, “I played in Pro Bowls with Archie and we became good friends.” “We are still friends. Staubach believes what many of you have suspected for years. Archie Manning would have had similar success if he was with another franchise or the Saints later in his career. Mississippi Today’s sports columnist is Rick Cleveland. Check out his columns as well as his Sports Daily blog. Reach Rick at rcleveland@mississippitoday.org.