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Cooper Archibald Manning (born March 6, 1974)[1] is an American entrepreneur and television personality who is the host of the television show The Manning Hour for Fox Sports as well as principal and senior managing director of investor relations for AJ Capital Partners. He is the eldest son of former professional football quarterback Archie Manning, the older brother of former professional football quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, and the father of Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning.[2][3][4]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Born on March 6, 1974, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Manning is the first child of Archie and Olivia Manning. He played football at Isidore Newman School as a wide receiver, having a breakout season as a senior with his brother Peyton at quarterback.[5]

Manning was a highly ranked prospect out of high school and ended up committing to the University of Mississippi, Archie's and later his brother Eli's alma mater. When practices started in the summer before school, Manning felt some numbness in his fingers and toes, so he went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to be diagnosed.[6] There he was told that he had spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spine and pinching of the nerves.[5][7] Manning accepted the diagnosis and immediately ended his playing career.

In honor of Cooper, Peyton donned his brother's jersey number, 18, when he began his professional career in the National Football League in 1998.[8]

Post football career

[edit]

Manning was a partner of Scotia Howard Weil, an energy investment boutique with offices in Houston and New Orleans.[9][10] The firm holds an annual energy conference that attracts representatives for top-level investors, public energy companies, private energy companies, private equity firms, and other commercial lenders from around the world.[11]

During the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans, he hosted his own segment on The Dan Patrick Show, titled "Manning on the Street."[12] On September 13, 2015, Manning joined the broadcast team of Fox NFL Kickoff.[2] In 2016, AJ Capital Partners added Manning to its executive team as principal and senior managing director of investor relations.[3] AJ Capital Partners is a private real estate company based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on building a portfolio of hotels and resorts, most notably, the company's in-house brand, Graduate Hotels, a collection of boutique design-driven hotels in university-anchored markets across the US. Other projects have included restorations of existing hotels and development of new properties, several located in Chicago, such as Chicago Athletic Association,[13] Soho House Chicago,[14] Thompson Chicago,[15] and Hotel Lincoln.[16]

From 2021 to 2022, Manning co-hosted College Bowl alongside his brother Peyton.[17]

He has a golf podcast called We Need a Fourth with Kenny Mayne and Brian Baumgartner, produced by SmartLess Media.[18]

Personal life

[edit]

Manning has three children with his wife, Ellen: two sons, with Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning the eldest, and a daughter. He is Roman Catholic, having converted to the faith to marry his wife.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cooper Manning

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from Grokipedia
Cooper Manning (born March 6, 1974) is an American businessman, media personality, and former prospective college football player, renowned as the eldest son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the older brother of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.[1][2] A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Manning briefly pursued a football career before it was halted by a serious medical condition, leading him to a successful tenure in the energy and real estate sectors.[3] Manning attended Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, where he excelled as an all-state wide receiver, notably catching passes from his younger brother Peyton during their time on the team.[1][2] He earned a football scholarship to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1992, but his promising athletic path was derailed that same year when he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis—a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses nerves—at the age of 18.[1][2] The condition, which caused numbness and muscle atrophy in his extremities, forced him to retire from football before completing his freshman season, preventing a potential NFL trajectory similar to his siblings and father.[3] Transitioning to business, Manning graduated from Ole Miss and built a career in finance and investment. He spent 16 years as a partner at the New Orleans-based energy investment firm Howard Weil (later Scotia Howard Weil), focusing on institutional sales and research.[4] In 2016, he joined AJ Capital Partners, a Chicago-based real estate development and investment firm, as Principal and Senior Managing Director of Investor Relations, where he leads business development and investor engagement for the company's multifamily and hospitality portfolios.[5][6] Manning is married to Ellen Heidingsfelder, whom he wed in 1999, and they have three children: daughter May and sons Arch and Heid Manning, with Arch being a quarterback for the University of Texas Longhorns.[2][7] In media, Manning has leveraged his family's football legacy as a contributor and interviewer on FOX NFL Sunday and FOX NFL Kickoff, and as host of the Fox Sports radio show The Manning Hour.[1] He also serves as the host of the trivia competition Capital One College Bowl since 2021, drawing on his wit and sports knowledge to engage audiences.[2] An accomplished public speaker, Manning frequently appears at events discussing family, resilience, and the Manning dynasty's impact on American football.[1]

Early life

Family background

Cooper Manning was born on March 6, 1974, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the eldest son of Archie Manning, a former NFL quarterback who played for the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1981, and Olivia Williams Manning.[7][8] The family resided in New Orleans throughout Archie's professional career, fostering a deep connection to the city and its Saints franchise.[9] Manning grew up alongside his younger brothers, Peyton, born in 1976, and Eli, born in 1981, both of whom would later become prominent NFL quarterbacks, contributing to a football-centric household environment.[7] The brothers often engaged in backyard football games with their father, who would throw passes from the porch of their home, instilling an early passion for the sport within the family.[10] Family traditions included attending New Orleans Saints games together, where the young Mannings joined Archie in the dressing room after home games to interact with players, exposing them to the professional football world from an early age.[11] In 1982, following Archie's tenure with the Saints, the family relocated within New Orleans to a historic home in the Garden District at 1420 First Street, which they restored and where the brothers spent much of their childhood.[12][13] Olivia Manning, who earned a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Mississippi and met Archie during their time there, played a pivotal role in maintaining family values and stability amid the public attention drawn by Archie's fame and the city's sports culture.[14][7] Her involvement in charitable causes, including board positions with the American Red Cross and Longue Vue House & Gardens, further emphasized a commitment to community and family resilience.[15] This upbringing laid the foundation for the Manning family's enduring legacy in football, exemplified by Peyton and Eli's subsequent NFL achievements.[16]

Education and youth

Cooper Manning grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, in a family with longstanding ties to the city, where his father Archie had been a prominent figure in local sports and community life.[17] He attended Isidore Newman School, a private, coeducational college preparatory institution in New Orleans, from kindergarten through 12th grade.[18] Known for its rigorous academic curriculum aimed at preparing students for top universities, Newman emphasized intellectual development alongside other pursuits during Manning's time there.[18] Manning was a dedicated student at the school, graduating in 1992 with a foundation that positioned him for higher education.[19] These experiences contributed to his well-rounded development during his youth in the vibrant cultural environment of New Orleans.[17]

Football career

High school achievements

Cooper Manning began his high school football career at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he played as a wide receiver for the Greenies from 1988 to 1992.[20] He started as a freshman and rose to become a key leader on the team by his senior year, often catching passes from his younger brother Peyton Manning, the sophomore quarterback.[21] The Manning family football heritage provided a motivational backdrop for his development as a player.[3] During his junior and senior seasons, Manning earned All-State honors in Louisiana's Class 2A division, recognizing his standout performances as a two-time selection.[4] In his senior year of 1991, he delivered a standout performance, setting multiple school receiving records that still stand as benchmarks for the program.[3] His No. 18 jersey is the only one retired by the school.[21] These efforts contributed to the Greenies' strong 13-1 record that season, culminating in a state playoff appearance that reached the semifinals.[3][21] The team also advanced to the playoffs in 1990 during his junior year, underscoring Manning's role in elevating the program's postseason success.[21] Manning's high school tape drew significant recruitment interest from major college programs, including offers from Ole Miss, Texas, and Virginia, leading to his commitment to Ole Miss, his father Archie's alma mater.[4] At 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, he was noted for his exceptional speed, clocking a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, along with precise route-running and reliable hands that made him a big-play threat comparable to professional prospects.[20][3]

Medical diagnosis and end of playing days

During his senior year at Isidore Newman School in late 1991, Cooper Manning began experiencing numbness in his hands and fingers during football practices, along with atrophy in his right bicep; these symptoms were initially dismissed as fatigue from the rigors of the season.[22] As a highly touted two-time All-State wide receiver who had committed to play at the University of Mississippi, Manning's performance had been stellar, underscoring the significant potential lost to his emerging health issues.[4] In the summer of 1992, at age 18, Manning sought further evaluation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where an MRI confirmed a diagnosis of spinal stenosis—a congenital narrowing of the spinal canal that compressed nerves and posed a severe risk of paralysis or permanent damage if he continued contact sports.[22] Medical specialists strongly advised against pursuing college football, emphasizing that any impact to the head or neck could exacerbate the condition irreversibly.[4] At the time, treatment involved conservative monitoring and avoidance of high-risk activities rather than immediate surgery, allowing Manning to maintain daily function without progression to more invasive interventions.[1] The diagnosis prompted an immediate and profound emotional shift for Manning, who chose to relinquish his football scholarship and forgo participation in the sport, instead prioritizing recovery and adjustment to life beyond athletics.[23] He later reflected on the hardship, noting in a 2013 ESPN documentary that the aspect he missed most was the "brotherhood" and camaraderie of the game, highlighting the personal toll of abandoning a path he had excelled in since youth.[4] To aid his rehabilitation, Manning underwent physical therapy sessions in New Orleans, focusing on restoring strength and mobility while adapting to the limitations imposed by his condition.[24] Following his high school graduation in 1992, Manning briefly served as a student assistant coach at Newman School, supporting his younger brother Peyton's team during practices and games, which provided a limited way to remain connected to football without physical involvement.[1] This transitional role marked the definitive end of his playing days, as he shifted focus entirely away from competitive athletics to pursue academic and professional opportunities at Ole Miss, where he enrolled that fall but did not join the football program.[4]

Professional career

Business roles in finance

After concluding his collegiate football aspirations due to health concerns, Cooper Manning pursued higher education at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), graduating in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism.[25] Manning transitioned into the finance sector immediately upon graduation, joining Howard Weil, a New Orleans-based investment banking firm, in 1996 as an analyst specializing in the energy industry. His early responsibilities centered on equity sales and mergers for energy companies, particularly in oil and gas, where he brokered deals for institutional investors.[26][27][28] Over the next decade, Manning rose to partner at Howard Weil, contributing to its expansion as a leading energy investment boutique with offices in New Orleans and Houston. In December 2005, he co-led the acquisition of the firm from Legg Mason alongside Andrew Rosenberg and Paul Pursley, enhancing its coverage of more than 150 energy companies and strengthening its focus on midstream and upstream sectors in the Gulf Coast.[29][28] The firm's prominence grew under Manning's involvement, culminating in its 2012 sale to Scotiabank for an undisclosed amount, after which it operated as Scotia Howard Weil; Manning stayed on as a partner through the integration, overseeing continued energy sector advisory services.[30][28][31] In 2016, Manning shifted to private equity and real estate investments, becoming Senior Managing Director of Investor Relations at AJ Capital Partners, a Chicago-based firm specializing in hospitality and multifamily developments. In this role, he manages investor relationships and drives capital raises for ventures, including Gulf Coast properties, building on his energy background in risk assessment and deal structuring.[32][28] Manning's career has been marked by expertise in energy mergers and acquisitions, with contributions to positioning Howard Weil as a key player in regional oil and gas transactions; he is noted in New Orleans business communities for his strategic acumen in volatile markets. The Manning family name provided an initial advantage in establishing networks within Louisiana's interconnected energy and finance circles.[26][33]

Media and public appearances

Manning began his media career shortly after college, serving as a host for late-night call-in shows on WWL 870 AM in New Orleans, where he discussed local sports topics including New Orleans Saints games and offered insights drawn from his family's football legacy.[34] This early radio work in the late 1990s and early 2000s allowed him to build a rapport with audiences through casual, engaging commentary, often leveraging his personal connections to the NFL.[35] In 2015, Manning launched "The Manning Hour," a weekly NFL talk show on Fox Sports that he hosts, featuring interviews with players, coaches, and occasionally his brothers Peyton and Eli to analyze games and strategies.[1] The program, which airs during the NFL season, has continued through 2025, emphasizing lighthearted segments like cooking with guests and football anecdotes, and has solidified his role as a familiar face in sports broadcasting.[36] He has made guest appearances on ESPN's "ManningCast," the alternate broadcast of Monday Night Football hosted by Peyton and Eli since 2021, contributing family perspectives during select episodes.[37] Since 2021, Manning has co-hosted the NBC game show Capital One College Bowl alongside his brother Peyton, where college teams compete in academic trivia challenges for scholarships, with seasons airing in 2021 and 2022.[38] Manning has expanded into podcasting as a co-host of "We Need a Fourth," a comedy-golf series launched in 2025 on SiriusXM and SmartLess Media alongside Brian Baumgartner and Kenny Mayne, where he shares stories from family golf outings and NFL life.[39] Additionally, he frequently speaks at sports banquets and events on themes of resilience following his career-ending spinal stenosis diagnosis in college, drawing from his experiences to inspire audiences on overcoming adversity.[33] Known for his humorous and relatable demeanor—which contrasts with his brothers' more analytical intensity—Manning's public persona emphasizes approachability and wit in media settings.[40] By 2025, Manning's role in Fox's NFL coverage has grown, including regular contributions to "FOX NFL Kickoff" with segments on game stories and player features, coinciding with increased attention on his son Arch's rising profile as a college quarterback at the University of Texas.[41]

Personal life

Marriage and immediate family

Cooper Manning met Ellen Heidingsfelder, a New Orleans native born on December 20, 1968, in 1997 through mutual social circles in the city, where both had deep roots in local Catholic communities.[42][43] They dated for two years before marrying on April 10, 1999, in a private ceremony at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, attended by immediate family members including Manning's parents, Archie and Olivia.[44] Heidingsfelder, who grew up in Louisiana, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in 1991 and her law degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1994, before establishing herself as a corporate attorney in the city.[45][46] The couple has built a stable partnership centered in New Orleans, residing in the Garden District since 2000 and adopting a collaborative approach to family decisions, including those related to their children's activities.[47] This shared life reflects the influence of the Manning family's athletic legacy on their values of resilience and community involvement. Ellen provided steadfast support to Cooper during his early career transitions following his spinal stenosis diagnosis in the mid-1990s, helping him pivot from football aspirations to business and media roles.[20] In 2024, Manning and Heidingsfelder marked their 25th wedding anniversary, underscoring the enduring strength of their marriage amid family and professional commitments in New Orleans.[48]

Children and family dynamics

Cooper and Ellen Manning have three children: daughter May, born in March 2002, and sons Arch, born April 27, 2004, and Heid, born in 2006.[49][50][49] May Manning, the eldest child, pursued a non-athletic academic path after excelling in volleyball at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans. She attended the University of Virginia, where she majored in business with a minor in entrepreneurship, graduating in May 2025. Following her degree, May entered the sports marketing field, joining Excel Sports Management as a brand marketing professional in New York, focusing on internships in branding, investment, and fitness prior to graduation.[51][52][53] Arch Manning, the middle child, emerged as a high school football star at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, where he set state records for passing yards and touchdowns. He committed to the University of Texas in 2022, prioritizing fit over lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities estimated at millions; his current NIL valuation stands at $3.6 million, the second-highest in college sports as of November 2025, bolstered by deals with brands like Red Bull and Uber.[54][55][56] As the starting quarterback for the Longhorns in the 2025 season, Arch has thrown for 2,374 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions as of November 19, 2025, contributing to Texas's strong campaign.[54] Heid Manning, the youngest, followed his siblings at Isidore Newman High School, where he played football as a center—snapping to Arch—and also competed in lacrosse, emphasizing multi-sport development as encouraged by his parents. As of 2025, Heid is a sophomore at the University of Texas, balancing academics and athletics while adjusting to college life alongside his brother.[49][57][58] The Manning family maintains close-knit dynamics through annual traditions that bring together multiple generations despite geographical spread. Cooper and Ellen prioritize privacy amid the family's fame, enforcing strict rules on social media use—such as prohibiting cell phones for young children and avoiding comment sections—to shield their kids from external pressure. Uncles Peyton and Eli play supportive roles in family events, offering guidance without imposing expectations.[59][59] In 2025, the family has shown strong support for Arch's Texas games, with Cooper, Ellen, and siblings frequently traveling to Austin and road contests; Archie and Olivia Manning have described themselves as "more nervous than ever" watching from afar, while the group stays connected via a dedicated family chat for encouragement. Cooper adopted an advisory role in Arch's recruitment, acting as a low-key facilitator without applying pressure—drawing from his own spinal stenosis diagnosis that ended his playing career—emphasizing old-school decision-making over NIL hype.[60][61][62]

References

  1. Cooper Manning - Fox Sports Press Pass
  2. Cooper Manning | The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane
  3. The Other Brother Like his famous father, Archie, and younger ...
  4. Cooper Manning football career: Revisiting oldest Manning brother's ...
  5. Team | AJ Capital Partners
  6. Cooper A Manning, AJ Capital Partners LLC: Profile and Biography
  7. All About Peyton and Eli Manning's Parents, Archie and Olivia ...
  8. Cooper Manning biography: Age, height, family, job, net worth
  9. The Manning Brothers: All About Peyton, Eli and Cooper - Yahoo
  10. A Saint in His City: Archie Manning in New Orleans
  11. Like Father, Like Son: Peyton and Archie Manning
  12. The home where NFL football stars Eli & Peyton Manning grew up
  13. Manning House - RealEstate New Orleans's post - Facebook
  14. Olivia Manning, 2014 New Orleans Top Female Achievers
  15. Olivia Manning to Be Honored with Legacy Award by Ole Miss ...
  16. Manning Brothers Put Readers Into 'Family Huddle' - NPR
  17. The Manning Brothers: All About Peyton, Eli and Cooper - People.com
  18. Peyton Manning's roots of stardom go back to family, friends, school ...
  19. Introducing the Manning Family Athletic Complex
  20. Cooper Manning, Peyton & Eli's Brother: 5 Fast Facts - Heavy Sports
  21. Manning brothers lift Isidore Newman - ESPN
  22. Cooper Manning's Injury, Aftermath Play Central Role in ESPN's ...
  23. Cooper Manning: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know - Athlon Sports
  24. Why Cooper is my Favorite Manning... And He Should Be Yours Too
  25. Cooper Manning On His Son, His Sports Broadcast And The UM ...
  26. Unsung Manning sibling a player in investment field
  27. While Eli and Peyton Win Superbowls, Cooper Manning Sells ...
  28. Cooper Manning - Eastern District of Texas Bar Association
  29. Lynx Capital: Real Estate Investment
  30. Scotiabank buys Howard Weil Inc. | CBC News
  31. NFL's Peyton Manning released, but Scotiabank drafts his brother
  32. Cooper Manning Joins AJ Capital Partners as Senior Managing ...
  33. Cooper Manning - Motivational Public Speaker
  34. Cooper Manning: Growing Up Manning - Retire Southern
  35. Cooper Manning relives talk show memories, fluffing up ... - YouTube
  36. The Manning Hour | NFL on FOX
  37. Larry David helped land Barack Obama on ManningCast
  38. Sports Media Pod: Cooper Manning on family golf outings
  39. Cooper Manning on the power of a positive attitude - iHeart
  40. The Unbearable Weight of Being Arch Manning - Texas Monthly
  41. Meet Ellen Heidingsfelder: The biography of Cooper Manning's wife
  42. No joke: Cooper Manning really loves his brothers - New Orleans, LA
  43. Marriage of Heidingsfelder / Manning - Newspapers.com™
  44. Ellen Heidingsfelder Manning Profile | New Orleans, LA Lawyer
  45. Ellen Heidingsfelder Manning - New Orleans, LA Attorney
  46. Cooper Manning's House in New Orleans, LA (Google Maps)
  47. https://fanarch.com/blogs/college-football/who-did-cooper-manning-marry
  48. Cooper Manning's 3 Kids: All About May, Arch and Heid - People.com
  49. How Old Is Arch Manning? Here's the Texas QB's Age, Birthday ...
  50. May Manning '21 | News Details - Academy of the Sacred Heart
  51. Arch Manning's sister May Manning unlocks major career milestone ...
  52. May Manning - Brand Marketing at Excel Sports Management
  53. Arch Manning - Texas Longhorns Quarterback - ESPN
  54. How much money does Arch Manning make? Updated 2025 NIL ...
  55. Arch Manning Career Stats - NCAAF - ESPN
  56. The Insider: An extended interview with Arch Manning's ... - 247 Sports
  57. Peyton Manning's foundation serving thousands of holiday meals
  58. Arch Manning and the Enormous Expectations of His Family Fame
  59. https://people.com/manning-family-spills-staying-connected-supporting-arch-manning-exclusive-11844285
  60. https://www.si.com/college/texas/football/arch-manning-s-grandparents-more-nervous-than-ever-watching-him-at-texas
  61. Cooper Manning recalls his role in Arch Manning's recruitment
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