It seems like the right time to answer a question that people frequently ask: What makes Archie so beloved in Mississippi? This is a valid question because Ole Miss never won eight games in any of the three varsity seasons he played. The Saints did not win a single season when he was quarterback in the NFL in New Orleans. Sports legends are almost always great winners. Archie was not like that. He did, however, have a dashing style as a quarterback. Even though he lost, like in the famous 33-32 Alabama game 50 years ago, he still managed to do it with an ability for the dramatic and impossible. He would make disaster his touchdown just as it seemed he was going to be fired. He could run or throw. He was determined to win and competed as no one else has done before. It’s more than that that I believe made him almost deity in this place. His genuine humanity, his human kindness, shines through through all the years. Archie has been known to call a sick child or an aging infirmed person and make their day. He touches people. He strives for betterment in the lives of strangers. Every day he lives by the Golden Rule, which is to do unto others what he would want them to do unto him. Boo Ferriss was another Delta legend who won hearts with his everyday kindnesses. This is Archie’s personal story. It tells a lot about him and where he got his inspiration to become the person he is today. This was 1984, when Archie was playing the string with Minnesota Vikings. They were terrible. They would finish the season with a record of 3-13. Wade Wilson was still playing as the backup quarterback. Archie was now Archie. It was a Thursday night game that was nationally televised. The lowly Vikings were matched by a very good Washington Redskins team. My column was already prepared for the Jackson Daily News. I don’t remember what. This was back in Jackson’s heyday, when there were two newspapers that thrived, one of which was a Delta afternoon paper. We didn’t expect to see Archie play that night, so we tuned in to the game at our house. We saw something even more terrible than we expected. Halftime saw the Redskins leading with 31 points and the Vikings with none. Perhaps in fear for Wade Wilson’s safety, Les Steckel introduced Archie into the game during the second period. Archie reversed the clock that night. He was magical. He was a genius. He made almost all of his losses into wins. He also threw darts including two touchdowns. Archie led the Vikings to three consecutive scoring drives, which turned a joke into a game. Archie won the game, but the Vikings lost. I called the office. I informed them that they could save the column I had written and that I would be writing another. I did. It was about Archie Manning’s turning back the clock. The next day, I was at my desk when I received a call from the phone. I answered it. Instantly, I recognized the voice at the other end. Archie was calling from Minneapolis. This was before the internet, before people could read newspapers on their phones. The Daily News circulated widely throughout Mississippi, but didn’t make it to the Great Lakes. Archie stated, “I just want you to thank you for everything you wrote today.” I was stunned. No. 1. Professional athletes don’t often send thank-yous to writers. No. 2. How the hell did he get the Jackson Daily News from Minneapolis? I asked him and will never forget his response. He said, “My mother called me and read it to you, every word.” “I really appreciate that and she does, as well.” Make a regular donation to support this work today.