Jalen Hurts pays a touching tribute to Michael Jordan as he sits down with Arch Manning's dad Cooper Manning for an interview
Cooper Manning has come to be known as the big brother of Peyton and Eli Manning from the well-regarded Manning family that started with their father, Archie Manning. Over the past few years, that perception has changed, and he is known for his insightful interviews with athletes and the little matter of being the father to Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning.
On Sunday, during a segment of his "The Manning Hour" show on Fox, Cooper hosted Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had invited children benefitting from the "Minds Matter Programme" and Michael Jordan's "Jordan Wings Initiative" to the show. Hurts, who is signed to the Jordan brand, paid an emotional tribute to the NBA legend.
"It means everything," Hurts said. "What Jordan has been able to establish and the impact he's had on the sports culture. To be able to represent that in this time, being an example to those watching now is great."
Why Arch Manning's father, Cooper Manning, stopped playing football
Cooper Manning was the first Manning brother to start his football career, following in his father, Archie Manning's steps by committing to play football for the Ole Miss Rebels before his right bicep started atrophying and it was diagnosed as an ulnar nerve injury.
Further tests at the Mayo Clinic finally diagnosed him with spinal stenosis, which is the lack of space between the nerves and the spinal cord, causing him to retire from the game before his career had properly started.
During a 2013 interview with USA Today, Cooper revealed that he does not regret not reaching the same heights as his brothers due to his career getting cut short.
"I don't play that game," Cooper Manning said. "I don't think that's a good thing. The only thing that is going to come out of that is feeling sorry for yourself. I think I get a little better (in people's memories) every year because of my brothers' success. When your career ends at 18, there's a lot up in the air.
"When they took football away from me, I never took it out on the game. I really never had any bitterness. I just said, this is the hand I'm dealt, and I'm going to play it. I don't know if I have it down pat yet, but I'm having fun trying.
"I’ve always tried to downplay the whole surgery and injury and just wanted to get back to normal. This was the one time I guess you got the full scoop."
Cooper Manning has become a fan favorite among Texas Longhorns fans for his enthusiastic support for his son, Arch Manning, and his often practical jokes, including riling up rival teams before the Longhorns' games.