Meet May Manning: The Sister of Football Prodigy Arch Manning

By Jason Bolton September 10, 2024 06:57

Photo by @coopermanning

The Mannings, one of the most recognized families in sports, have stayed relevant due to their multi-generational talents. With the older Mannings like Archie, Cooper, Peyton, and Eli already retired, the spotlight now goes to Arch and May. Where Arch has been dominating headlines with his football prowess, May is making a name for herself in ways of her own. In this piece, we take a look inside May Manning's life, detailing her backstory, her accomplishments, and her unique lens of having the world-renowned name "Manning."

Family Background and Early Life

Born in Drew, Mississippi, on March 12, 2002, into a family in which Peyton and Eli Manning are her uncles, it was only natural for May to have stepped onto the field of sports.

May grew up in the shadow of her grandfather, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning. Her uncles Peyton and Eli have both appeared to leave quite a lasting mark on not just the NFL, but life away from football as well. That dynasty, of course, holds a lot of weight when you're born into it.

Academic and Athletic Careers

May grew up in Oakland, California, where she attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart, where her mother and grandmother had also gone. This was May's introduction to athletic prowess, as she excelled in tennis, swimming, and gymnastics, as one can see from her physique, but she was most brilliant at volleyball.

In her later years at Sacred Heart, May won a volleyball state championship and was named MVP for her team, following the footsteps of her mother, who was a formidable volleyball player in the prime of her athletic career.

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College Pursuits

After graduating high school, May took her talents to the University of Virginia, pairing a business degree with a minor in entrepreneurship. Although May could have played collegiate volleyball, she chose not to pursue a sport at the university level so that she could focus on her academics and on herself.

At the University of Virginia, May has been active in her sorority as the Ritual and History Director for Kappa Kappa Gamma, proving that her competitiveness and desire to succeed are not limited to the volleyball court but also to her education.

Connection to Arch Manning

She and her brother Arch share a bond of sibling support, and May truly admires him. Regardless of the excitement generated by Arch, May has worked to stay by his side and support him through every turn. Their bond as siblings is much stronger, having lived through some of the pressures and demands inherent in being Mannings.

The Manning Legacy

Some expectations come with being in the Manning family. For May, this has required a delicate balance of finding her way amid the opportunities and inherent responsibilities of being born into her last name. She understands the attention paid to her famous relatives but is concerned mostly with being herself.

Lastly, May Manning is involved in a variety of school activities that she continues to explore beyond sports and academics. Her engagement in her sorority and academic endeavors reveals a commitment to a fuller life. Optimistic for the future, May hopes to apply her business education in corporate jobs or as an entrepreneur.