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No, Cooper Manning never played football in the National Football League (NFL), unlike his younger siblings, Peyton and Eli Manning. As such, Cooper is the only male offspring of the great Archie Manning not to play in the National Football League.
Here, we will analyze why Cooper Manning didn't play in the NFL, whether he was good enough to play in the NFL, and what he does these days. So without further ado, let's look at the oft-forgotten Manning brother.
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Was Cooper Manning good enough to play in the NFL?
Cooper Manning played football in his youth and was pretty good at it. However, unlike his father and brothers, he ignored the quarterback position and instead played wide receiver. He was a solid prospect as a youngster, and he enjoyed a stellar senior year at Isidore Newman School alongside his younger brother, Peyton Manning.
Cooper's talents were noticed, and he received numerous scholarship offers from top-tier football colleges nationwide. He eventually chose to attend the University of Mississippi, his dad Archie and later his younger brother Eli's alma mater.
However, before his college career started, disaster struck. While practicing, he began to feel a numb sensation in his fingers and toes. He went to the hospital, and it turned out that he had spinal stenosis. This diagnosis ended his football career before it had truly begun.
Was Cooper Manning good enough to play in the NFL? The answer is most likely yes, as Copper was an absolute stud in high school, and his football IQ has always been off the charts. It could have been fun seeing Manning play in the NFL as something other than a quarterback. But, alas, it just wasn't meant to be.
What does Cooper Manning do these days?
These days Cooper focuses more on being a businessman, entrepreneur, husband and father to three athletic children. Manning is co-hosting "College Bowl" alongside his brother Peyton. He is also the senior managing director of investor relations at AJ Capital Partners.
Furthermore, Copper acts as a mentor to his three children, two of whom have NFL aspirations. His older son, Arch Manning, is the brightest football prospect of his class, echoing the rankings of his famous uncles.
His second son, Heid, is doing well; he is a starting center for the Isidore Newman School. His oldest child, a daughter, May, plays volleyball for the University of Virginia.
Cooper might not have played in the National Football League, but there's no doubt that he won the game of life, and he will be a proud father of at least one NFL player in a couple of years.
