Peyton Manning Isidore Newman Greenies HS 1993 (LA) mini football helmet,
As a 15-year-old sophomore in the fall of 1991, Manning provided glimpses of the same qualities that served him well at the University of Tennessee and 18 NFL seasons with Indianapolis and Denver: a vast skill set, fiercely competitive and the ability to make everyone around him better.
Though Manning never played for a high school state championship before his graduation in the spring of 1994, he left an indelible mark at Newman. He still holds the school record for passing yards (7,528) 22 seasons later.
Beyond the statistics and school records, stories of Manning's work ethic, thirst for knowledge and game-week preparation are legendary.
Former Newman coach Tony Reginelli remembers in the spring of 1993 when Manning used his free period at the end of the school day to work out with Saints players at their facility. When the NFL frowned on a high school player working out at Saints' camp, then quarterback Jim Everett and other players moved the workouts to Tulane so Manning could participate.
Because of Manning, Reginelli scrapped his veer offense in favor of a pro-style passing scheme. As Manning progressed as a junior and senior, Reginelli and offensive coordinator Frank Gendusa accepted input from their quarterback and allowed him more freedom on the field as a play caller.
Reginelli, who compiled a 203-63 record in 44 seasons as head coach at Newman, retired after Manning's senior season in 1993.
"People have made a big deal about 'Omaha,' " Reginelli said, referring to the word Manning made famous to change plays and/or snap counts at the line of scrimmage. "We always used the other team's helmet color to change plays from a run to a pass or vice verse."
Manning rarely called an audible during his sophomore season in '91 but routinely changed plays during his last two seasons.
"It's unbelievable to think a kid at 15, 16 and 17 was running a pro style passing attack and hitting a third read which was a 25-yard post," said Newman coach Nelson Stewart, a defensive tackle in high school and teammate of Manning. "He would line guys up in some exotic or unique formation and then -- by his own verbiage -- break them out of it into the real play just so he could see how the defenses aligned.
"Peyton did it all on his own. He was at that level. Imagine a kid at 17 doing that. He knew how to break down film and how to break down defenses. He was always evolving. That's the magic of him."
Stewart credits Manning with introducing 7-on-7 practices in the metro New Orleans area. Those off-season workouts typically featured offensive skill players (QB, RBs, WRs) going against defensive backs and linebackers in non-contract passing drills.
"Nobody was throwing the ball like we were back then," Stewart said. "It was still the wing T and the veer. Peyton did this on his own. He'd turn the lights on at Newman and bring his wide receivers to throw against any team that wanted to play. They'd travel to Florida State to throw in their team camp.
"Peyton essentially ran those summer practices. Because of his ability to get the ball out quickly and change protections and the chemistry they developed, we were able to play at a much higher level. He brought the whole team up."
That remained the same every step along the way, from evolution to revolution.
So now you know the rest of the Peyton Williams Manning story.
Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/sports/nfl/new-orleans-saints/brian-allee-walsh/article64770742.html#storylink=cpy
