Archie Manning had to hear about it all over again. How, when quarterbacking for the Minnesota Vikings, he suffered 11 sacks in that single, fateful 1984 game against the Chicago Bears.
But Manning, a National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame inductee lauded for his humble spirit, took it all with a smile at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet. Manning was the keynote speaker for the sports-star-studded Jan. 19 event, held in the Ambassador Grand Ballroom of Embassy Suites.
David Bazzel of KABZ-FM, 103.7, was master of ceremonies for an evening highlighted by Manning's hilarious anecdotes about his career and his sons, Cooper Manning and pro-football celebrities Peyton and Eli Manning. The Cliff Harris award was presented by Harris to linebacker Connor Harris (no relation) of Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Presentations also were made to the Arkansas college players of the year, high school players of the year and high school coaches of the year.
Rawleigh Williams, the Razorback running back who recovered from a scary neck injury, earned the Paul Eells Award, named for the late Arkansas sportscaster. Dr. Clifton Roaf presented the Willie Roaf award, named for his Pro Football Hall of Famer son, to Arkansas offensive lineman Dan Skipper and Razorbacks-bound offensive lineman Kirby Adcock of Nashville. Chris Odom, Arkansas State University defensive end, and defensive lineman Akial Byers of Fayetteville High School were each presented with the award named for Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Dan Hampton.
Also presented was the 2016 Sully Award, named for KATV sports director Steve Sullivan and given to the season's best broadcast play calls. Recipients were Rex Nelson, Ouachita Baptist University (collegiate division), and Josh Bertaccini, Fayetteville High School (high school division).
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 01/29/2017