User reviews

Though I suspect this was originally part of the 30 for 30 documentary series, on the UK version of Disney Plus this now appears as a documentary film in its own right. I liked American Football enough to know who Peyton and Eli were, though I had no idea that their father had played or any of the business about which college they all attended.

Archie Manning has a promising football career, playing quarterback for the University of Mississippi. When his father takes his own life, he considers dropping out to help support his family but is convinced to continue by his mother and eventually makes it to the NFL, playing for 13 seasons for the New Orleans Saints. With his career winding down, he has three sons. Cooper whose promising career was ended by Spinal Stenosis, Peyton and Eli - both of whom would win multiple Superbowls in hall of fame careers.

Again, this was mostly new information to me. Expertly told by interviews with the family and with a story narrated by John Goodman. It focuses much more on the college experiences of the family, rather than the NFL Careers. Archie becomes a legend for Mississippi's team, the Ole Miss Rebels and Cooper seemed set to follow him, until his diagnosis. Then Peyton decides to play for Tennessee instead, which does not go down well with the Mississippi faithful, some of whom turn their ire at Archie for letting it happen. Eli though does go to Ole Miss and breaks records set by his father.

It's a really good documentary, I felt. Made with a lot of access to the family and with their blessing, there is plenty of old family footage of the three kids playing football in the yard and making each other cry. It might be nice to revisit it again in a couple of years, when it seems like Cooper son Arch might have added an new chapter.

Although the story may evolve around two time NFL SuperBowl champion quarterback Peyton Manning and a 100 percent lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when his name first appears as a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021, this excellent documentary extends to the entire Manning clan, including now Grandpa Archie Manning, former NFL quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. We find out details as well on Archie Manning's other two sons, New York Giants two time NFL Super Bowl Champion quarterback and younger brother of Peyton, Eli Manning. Not to be forgotten in the Book of Manning family story is Archie's third and eldest son, Cooper, who unfortunately was forced to give up a career in playing football due to spinal stenosis. Cooper though lives vicariously through both Peyton and Eli's NFL careers and their closeness is very real.

We are witness to some of the early days in the three (3) Manning brothers Cooper, Peyton, and Eli, being ccompetitive with one another through family videos playing football as toddlers. It made me cry.

After watching this documentary the only thing I believe was neglected was the critical role the Manning boy's mom Olivia, played in both raising these fine young men and supporting them through their trial and tribulations through their high school, college and professional careers.

This is an excellent, superb, tear enducing documentary that will warm even the toughest sports enthusiast's heart. A perfect 10 for 10 rating!