The Mannings and The Hasselbecks

In 1984, quarterback Archie Manning and tight end Don Hasselbeck were winding down their NFL careers with the Minnesota Vikings. They not only had football in common. They also had some sons that had a particular interest in the game.

At about this time Cooper and Peyton and Matt and Tim Hasselbeck were playing football all the time in Minnesota. Sometimes together. Sometimes against each other. Little Eli Manning and Nathaniel Hasselbeck were a bit too young for these football games. They spent more time drinking all the Gatorade. They would eventually find football.

Of the six kids, the four that played quarterback would make it to the NFL. The two that didn't throw the ball, Cooper Manning and Nathaniel Hasselbeck, were considered by many to be the better athletes. No one could cover Cooper. Both non-quarterbacks would play in college. Cooper was a receiver at the University of Mississippi. Nathaniel was a receiver/defensive back at Boston College. Cooper's football career was cut short when it was found that he had a narrowing of his spine. If not for that the receiving Manning would likely have preceded the throwing Mannings in the NFL. Nathaniel preferred catching footballs too but was moved to defense in college. He found that he couldn't cover Santana Moss.

In 1984, two football playing families came together in Minnesota. Archie Manning and Don Hasselbeck were winding down their football careers. Their kids were just getting started.