Archie Manning happy for retired son Peyton, lighter travel schedule

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For the first time since their youngest son, Eli Manning, was a rookie in 2004, Archie and Olivia Manning's travel schedule will not be nearly as demanding during football season.

Because their middle son, Peyton, retired from Denver after an 18-year NFL career, the Mannings can focus on Eli, who's playing in his 13th season.

Archie and Olivia watched the draft differently than they have since Eli was the first overall pick by San Diego in 2004 before he was promptly traded to the New York Giants.

"During the draft, she came in and said, like she was really sad, 'I'm not following but one team in the draft,'" Archie Manning said Wednesday night when he was honored as Touchdowner of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Houston. "It's (following two teams) what you get used to. We juggled our fall schedule between Denver, New York, Ole Miss or stay at home.

"Not that we won't go to Denver because they're (Peyton's family) living there, and we want to see our grandchildren. But we won't follow the Broncos quite as close as we have the last four years."

As for Peyton's retirement, Archie said, "We're happy for Peyton. "It ended well. It was time.

"The only thing I told him is that I don't know if this league is a place for 40-year-olds. It's tough out there."