Many people wonder if Gus Manning, the former Tennessee athletics director who passed away at the age of 99, was related to Peyton Manning, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Tennessee quarterback. The answer is no, they were not biologically related, but they shared a deep bond and respect for each other and for the Volunteers program.
Who was Gus Manning?
Gus Manning was a Tennessee icon who served the university for more than 50 years in various roles, including sports publicity director, assistant athletics director, senior associate athletics director, and consultant athletics director. He was hired by General Robert Neyland in 1946 and worked under eight athletic directors and 11 head football coaches. He was inducted into the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.
Gus Manning was born on July 8, 1923, and grew up in Knoxville, where he attended Rule High School. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 and served three years in the Pacific during World War II. He returned to Knoxville and enrolled at Tennessee in 1947, where he walked on to the football team and earned a varsity letter with the baseball team. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in journalism.
Gus Manning was a pioneer in sports media and administration. He was the first full-time male employee of the Tennessee athletic department who was not a coach. He handled everything from ticket sales, business operations, event management, facilities, and more. He was also a prolific writer and historian who authored several books on Tennessee sports. He was named Business Manager of the Year by the College Athletic Business Managers Association in 1989.
Gus Manning was beloved by many people in the Tennessee community, especially former players and coaches. He had a great sense of humor and a wealth of knowledge about the Volunteers history. He passed away on February 14, 2023, at his home in Knoxville.
How did Gus Manning and Peyton Manning become friends?
Peyton Manning was one of the greatest players to ever wear the orange and white. He played quarterback for Tennessee from 1994 to 1997, leading the team to three SEC East titles and two SEC championships. He won several awards, including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and the Sullivan Award. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1997. He was drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998 and went on to have a stellar NFL career that included two Super Bowl titles, five MVP awards, and 14 Pro Bowl selections. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Peyton Manning met Gus Manning when he arrived at Tennessee as a freshman in 1994. They quickly developed a close relationship that lasted until Gus’s death. Peyton admired Gus’s loyalty and dedication to Tennessee and learned a lot from his stories and wisdom. Gus appreciated Peyton’s talent and character and supported him throughout his career.
Peyton Manning showed his respect for Gus Manning in many ways. He convinced the Colts that Gus was his grandfather so that he would be treated better when he visited Indianapolis. He also donated money to Tennessee in 2016 to name gate 16 at Neyland Stadium as “Gus Manning Gate”. He posted a tribute to Gus on Instagram after his passing, calling him “an icon” and “a major piece of Tennessee history”.
Conclusion
Gus Manning and Peyton Manning were not related by blood, but they were related by spirit. They both loved Tennessee football and represented it with excellence and integrity. They both left a lasting legacy on the program and on the people who knew them. They were both true Volunteers.
