Tom Brady has suggested that Arch Manning’s struggles against Ohio State could serve as valuable adversity to help strengthen the young quarterback’s resilience. Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, shared his thoughts with Pro Football Focus, emphasizing the importance of adversity in developing a true leader. The matchup between Texas and Ohio State, ranked No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, marked the official start of the Arch Manning era, but it did not begin with an ideal start.
The game saw Manning, the grandson of Archie and nephew of Peyton and Eli, face significant challenges. Entering the fourth quarter, Manning had just 38 passing yards, and he finished with 167 in the Longhorns’ 14-7 loss to the Buckeyes. It was Manning’s first start on the road as a Longhorn, and the performance was met with swift reactions on social media. While some mocked his performance, Brady described the criticism as a ‘curse,’ but he believed it could be a ‘blessing in disguise’ for Manning’s development.
Brady encouraged Manning to use the setback as a motivational tool, suggesting that the experience would help him become more resilient and a better leader. The quarterback’s performance, which included a costly interception and a missed key third-down throw, highlighted the challenges he faced. Despite the loss, Brady pointed out that Manning has the potential to improve and succeed in college football with the right mindset and support. The game also saw Ohio State maintain its top-ranked status, while Texas dropped to No. 7 in the rankings.
Manning’s performance, though disappointing, may serve as a learning experience. Brady’s comments reflect the broader narrative in sports about the importance of overcoming adversity in the path to success. The young quarterback’s journey continues as he prepares for upcoming games against San Jose State, UTEP, and Sam Houston State. As he faces future challenges, the hope is that the experience against Ohio State will help him grow as a player and leader in the college football landscape.