Brett Duke/The Times-Picayune
By Ross Jackson
Over 1,400 high school football quarterbacks descended upon Thibodeaux, La. this week for the annual Manning Passing Academy. During the four-day event, the young passers get a chance to work with not just the Manning family, but several other quarterbacks including LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Texas’ Arch Manning, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and a surprise NFL quarterback, Saints rookie Tyler Shough.
Usually collegiate quarterbacks act as counselors throughout the program, so it is rare for a passer that has advanced to the pros to stick around. For Shough, the decision to do so was simple.
“It’s only an hour away, why wouldn’t I come back and help out and just be around everybody, talk to some of the college guys about my experience with the whole draft,” Shough said to WWL-TV Sports Director Doug Mouton. “I want to help out as much people as I can because of my own college experience and what I wish I knew and how I can continue to get better and learn from those guys. I want to continue to grow that, for sure.”
It’s yet another positive gesture by Shough, who has been hitting home run after home run this offseason in embracing the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.
Shough, along with his Saints competitor Spencer Rattler, has attended the Manning Passing Academy before. But the unique nature of him turning pro and sticking around to mentor the young campers is something that stands out to Saints legend Archie Manning.
“Most of the Saints’ players have gone back home now for this month off,” Manning said to Mouton. “[Shough] said ‘I’m staying right here.’ He said, ‘I want to come work the camp.’ So, I’ve never had one of our college quarterbacks, when he goes pro to say, ‘I want to come back and work the camp.’ So we’re glad to have Tyler here.”
A standout decision by the rookie quarterback who has been sharing his experience going through the draft and much more with the young crop of signal callers. Shough continues to find effective and genuine ways to endear and immerse himself into his new community off the field while preparing to go head-to-head with Rattler for the starting position on the field next month as the Saints return to training camp.
