FORT LAUDERDALE, La. -- For 39 years now Archie Manning and his family have been among the most positive ambassadors for the city of New Orleans.
And this Sunday, Peyton is the enemy.
On Tuesday, Peyton talked glowingly at media day about his love for New Orleans, and Friday his little brother, Eli Manning, was in Fort Lauderdale delivering very much the same message.
The Giants quarterback was on a yacht to promote a new shoe along with Chad Ochocinco and others, including Archie Manning, Chuck Liddell, boxer Shane Mosley and others.
And even though he's still pulling for his brother, Eli Manning knows what this game means for New Orleans.
"From that season where the Saints didn't get to play a home game, to opening up the Superdome a couple years ago versus Atlanta, a great thing for the NFL and for New Orleans," Eli Manning said. "These fans have been through a lot of hardships and a lot of great things. I was part of that, rooting hard for the Saints, and I was at that first playoff game that they played in. So I'm excited for New Orleans."
When asked whether this week was tough at all, Archie Manning said: "The Saints story is a great story, so don't feel sorry for us. We're might lucky."
Nationally, the coverage has been all about New Orleans in the most positive way, all week. And that can only be good for the city of New Orleans and for the region.
