Why Archie Manning calls Alabama football's Bryce Young a 'cool customer'

Archie Manning has one son in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, another who likely will join him, and the nation's No. 1 class of 2023 recruit is his grandson.

Even though just 20 years old, Alabama football quarterback Bryce Young plays the position the calmest Manning has seen in a lifetime that featured a 14-year NFL career.

Tuesday afternoon, Young was named winner of the 2021 Manning Award, given to the top quarterback in college football by the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee.

Manning called the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner "a cool customer" because of his relaxed state leading Alabama, which made its second straight College Football Playoff championship game. It was Young's first season as a starter.

"We're very proud to have you as the winner of the Manning Award this year," Manning said to Young on a video conference. "Outstanding season, such remarkable play. ... It was incredible. I've got to tell you it was a real joy to see you play. Watched you play so many times.

"I tell my friends I've seen a lot of quarterback play, but I call Bryce a cool customer. I've just never seen anyone that plays in such a relaxed matter and plays so well."

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Young called it a huge compliment given how much football Manning has seen and thanked his coaches and teammates. He said he learned through trial and error that staying calm and tempering his emotions is the best way for him to perform at his highest level.

"Growing up being a fan of football, the name Manning is just synonymous with greatness, excellence at every level of football," Young said. "To hear my name next to an award with Manning on the back of it means so much. I'm blessed."

Young is the second straight Alabama signal-caller to win the award after 2021 NFL Draft first-round selection Mac Jones the prior season.

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"Through the years at our passing camp and living in New Orleans, being a former player in the Southeastern Conference and my boys playing in the Southeastern Conference, I've seen a lot of Alabama football and their quarterbacks," Manning said. "They've always had good players, and they had good players way back in my day.

"These last few years are a real credit to the university, coach (Nick) Saban and his offensive coaches. This past year, I recognized right away that they had three quarterbacks that had been at Alabama to start in the NFL. That's quite an accomplishment and it's very impressive."

Contact Jerell Rushin at 205-600-4015 or jrushin@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JerellRushin_.