Peyton is known for his confidence on the field, but he insists that even under pressure, nothing is spontaneous. After revealing the secret behind his infamous “Omaha” call (spoiler alert: it had more to do with the number of the syllables than the city), he discussed how doing the prep work and always having a plan B is integral in football—and in life. Archie also highlighted the necessity of being prepared and quoted former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll on dealing with pressure. The quote goes, “Pressure is what you feel only when you don’t know what you’re doing.”
Both Mannings closed the keynote by touching on how important community is to the success of one’s career. Peyton shared how having a support system got him through a neck injury that affected his throwing arm. This support system ultimately inspired the Mannings to give back to the community with the Peyback Foundation, which seeks to provide kids some of the same opportunities the Mannings had growing up to help them follow their dreams.
Whether it’s on or off the field, many of the lessons the Mannings learned in their careers as professional athletes will resonate with leaders in any industry. Understanding what it takes to be a good leader, responsible contributor, and prepared individual are the building blocks that make up a solid, successful team.