Knoxville Welcomes Peyton Manning to Class
Knoxville, TN – Football legend Peyton Manning made a special appearance in a classroom at the University of Tennessee, creating an unforgettable experience for students. Manning, who is well-known for his impressive career in the NFL, visited as part of a sports promotion and branding class taught by Josh Lively, a part-time adjunct professor.
A Surprising Announcement
The whole thing started when Lively received a confidential email in March asking him to host Manning as a guest speaker. This came as a shock to Lively, who was only in his third semester of teaching. “I’m like, holy cow, how did you guys select me?” he said, reflecting on the unexpected honor. After finding out, Lively had to keep the surprise under wraps for five months until the first day of class.
A Classroom Reaction
When the big day finally arrived, Lively had a fun way to reveal the guest to his 99 students. He first teased them by showing a picture of Manning on the projector but quickly claimed it was a joke, leading to gasps and laughter from the students. Eventually, he let them off the hook: “I’m just kidding. It is, in fact, Peyton Manning. He is coming to our class,” he announced, leading to what Lively described as chaos in the classroom.
Learning from a Legend
Manning arrived 35 minutes early for the session, and students were excitedly waiting to hear him speak. Lively noticed the enthusiasm in the room: “You could just tell, they understood, OK, this is a big deal,” he commented on the students’ eagerness to hear from the football icon.
During the class, Manning spent a little over an hour sharing insights about his remarkable career, which spans from his days at Tennessee to the professional level in the NFL and includes his current work with Omaha Productions, an entertainment company he founded. He spoke candidly and thoughtfully, showcasing not just his sports knowledge but also his passion for the business world.
A Memorable Experience
Lively, who had never met Manning before this event, found it surreal to be sitting just a few feet away from him. “I’m talking to him and I can physically see the emotions in his face as he’s answering,” he recalled, emphasizing how much it meant to him personally. The atmosphere in the room was vibrant, and students were visibly giddy as they waited to take photos with Manning after the lecture.
Looking Ahead
As part of his new role as a professor of practice at the UTK College of Communication and Information, Manning is expected to partner with faculty and share his experiences on various topics in future classes. His presence is being seen as a game-changer for students studying communication and sports promotion.
CCI Dean Joe Mazer noted that this would undoubtedly be one of the most memorable classes for students, observing that “there’s nothing that can touch this, because, I mean, the dude’s an icon.” Lively echoed that sentiment, expressing joy in providing his students with such a unique opportunity to learn from someone with Manning’s stature in sports history.
The Impact of the Visit
Overall, Manning’s visit not only offered valuable insights but also inspired a group of students eager to pursue careers in sports and advertising. As Lively put it, “Just the pure joy was awesome,” reflecting the excitement that permeated throughout the classroom, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.
