- Archie Manning spoke to the Ole Miss team before their College Football Playoff opening game against Tulane.
- Manning quoted Bum Phillips, telling players “They can’t kill ya and eat ya.”
- He was invited by new interim coach Pete Golding and plans to attend the game with family, including son Eli.
H2: Manning visits Ole Miss ahead of CFP matchup
Archie Manning, Ole Miss legend and former New Orleans Saints quarterback, addressed the Ole Miss football team on Friday ahead of the Rebels’ College Football Playoff first-round game against Tulane at Vaught‑Hemingway Stadium. The talk came at the invitation of Pete Golding, who will make his head coaching debut Saturday after taking the job following Lane Kiffin’s departure.
H3: A simple, old-school message
Manning turned to a colorful line attributed to former coach Bum Phillips to set the tone. “I used an old Bum Phillips line, ‘They can’t kill ya and eat ya,’” he told reporters. “Bum used to always say that to the kickoff (coverage) team to start the game.”
The phrase is a classic bit of football bravado meant to steady players and remind them to play without fear. Manning said he used the line as a way to calm the Rebels and focus them on execution.
H3: A personal connection to the program
Manning’s tie to Ole Miss runs deep. He starred for the Rebels from 1968–70 before a decade-plus NFL career with the New Orleans Saints. He also has family connections to the program: youngest son Eli Manning quarterbacked Ole Miss from 2000–03, and his grandson Arch Manning was widely recruited before signing with Texas.
Manning and Golding developed a relationship during the recruitment of Arch Manning. The elder Manning said he appreciated Golding’s invitation and spoke warmly of the coach: “Pete’s a good guy and a terrific coach. I’m excited to see him at Ole Miss.”
H4: Plans to attend with family
Archie Manning said he planned to attend the game with friends and family, including Eli, and is looking forward to watching which team advances to the Sugar Bowl. “I think it’s going to be a good game,” he said. The winner of Saturday’s matchup will move on to the Sugar Bowl as part of the CFP’s next rounds.
H5: Why the visit matters
Manning’s appearance provides a morale boost and taps into the program’s history. As a high-profile alumnus and patriarch of one of college football’s most talked-about families, his words carry weight with players and fans. Using a Bum Phillips line also connected current players to a long tradition of football culture in the South — direct, confident and focused on grit.
H5: Quick context
- Game: Ole Miss vs. Tulane, College Football Playoff first round
- Location: Vaught‑Hemingway Stadium
- Manning: Ole Miss star (1968–70), Saints quarterback (1971–81)
- Coach: Pete Golding (new head coach after Kiffin’s exit)
Archie Manning’s message was short and old-school: play hard, play smart, and don’t be overwhelmed. For a team about to play on the CFP stage, a reminder like that can matter.
Image Referance: https://www.nola.com/sports/tulane/archie-manning-quotes-bum-phillips-in-speech-to-ole-miss-team-before-cfp/article_b9c638db-b243-4741-913f-72ec57823c7a.html
