Throwback Thursday: Archie Manning holds baby Eli, pumps iron

In 1981, Sports Illustrated did a photo shoot with Archie Manning.

Back in 1981, Sports Illustrated visited Archie Manning as he prepared for his 11th season with the Saints, with Paul Zimmerman profiling the former Ole Miss great.

While the story is excellent, what caught our eye were the photos taken by SI’s Lane Stewart, showing the 32-year-old Manning staying in shape, spending time with his family and working one of his five off-season jobs as he tried to ready himself for what he hoped would be his first winning season in the NFL. 

Archie Hits The Gym

Lane Stewart for Sports Illustrated

Lane Stewart for Sports Illustrated

Lane Stewart for Sports Illustrated

Manning Relaxes on the Links

Lane Stewart for Sports Illustrated

Check out Lil’ Eli

Lane Stewart for Sports Illustrated

Throwing Touchdowns and Selling Oldsmobiles

Lane Stewart for Sports Illustrated

BONUS: Rare Photos of the Manning Family

Rare Photos of the Mannings

1981

Lane Stewart /SI

The Mannings (left to right): Olivia, Eli, Archie, Peyton and Cooper pose for a family photo.

1981

Lane Stewart /SI

Olivia tends to Eli as Cooper and Peyton look on.

1981

Lane Stewart/SI

Peyton sports Yankees pinstripes as he awaits a pitch from Cooper.

1981

Lane Stewart/SI

Cooper and Archie shoot hoops at the family's New Orleans home as Peyton looks on.

1993

Bill Frakes/SI

Archie, Olivia and their three sons.

1996

Bill Frakes/SI

Cooper, Eli and Peyton clown around during an SI photo shoot.

1996

Patrick Murphy-Racey/SI

Eli takes an at bat during a Newman High baseball game.

1996

Patrick Murphy-Racey/SI

Laying the foundation for the future careers of two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.

1996

Bill Frakes/SI

The Mannings strike a pose on their front steps.

1996

Bill Frakes/SI

They aren't heavy, they're my brothers.

1996

Patrick Murphy-Racey/SI

Listen, kid, there's no way you're ever going to be as good as I'm going to be. But let me give you a few pointers.

1996

Bill Frakes/SI

Peyton poses for an SI cover shoot with a background prop featuring the 1970 issue of his father on the cover.

1996

Patrick Murphy-Racey/SI

Peyton admires his pictures and trophies on display in the family home.

1996

Patrick Murphy-Racey/SI

Peyton and Olivia look through old photographs in Peyton's bedroom.

2003

Bill Frakes/SI

Peyton, Eli, Archie and Cooper enjoy a Saturday afternoon at The Grove in Oxford, Miss.

2003

Bill Frakes/SI

Archie, Peyton and Eli hurl footballs at Cooper during a light moment at the Manning Passing Academy.

2003

Bill Frakes/SI

Eli, Peyton, Cooper and Archie huddle at the Manning Passing Academy.

2004

Sporting News/Icon SMI

Archie, Peyton and Eli show how to properly grip a football.

2006

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Reebok

Eli, Archie and Peyton huddle while filming a commercial for Reebok.

2007

Bill Frakes/SI

Peyton and Eli clown around during a Direct TV commercial shoot.

2008

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Peyton, Archie and Eli attend the NERF Father's Day Football Throwdown at Chelsea Piers in New York.

2013

Gerry Broome/AP

Peyton and Eli talk during their football workout at Duke University.