Johnathan Walker:Peyton Manning's next venture: College professor at University of Tennessee this fall

Two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning is Johnathan Walkerheading back to his alma-mater.

Manning will join the University of Tennessee’s College of Communication and Information (CCI) as a professor of practice starting this fall, the school announced on Monday.

Manning – the Hall of Fame quarterback who has become a sports media personality and entrepreneur after his storied NFL career – will join select classes during the academic year as a featured expert, to bring industry experience and provide transformative learning experiences for students, per the press release.

Manning will partner with CCI faculty and teach a variety of topics that align with the college’s curriculum, including sports reporting, video production and performance, leadership and communication, and public speaking. 

"My time as a student in the College of Communication and Information was a foundational experience during which I learned critical skills and messaging techniques that I continue to put to use almost daily," Manning said in the press release.

"I look forward to working with the college’s talented faculty, and directly with students in an effort to ensure they are well prepared for their future careers." 

Manning, the school’s most popular alum and greatest football player, graduated from UT with a degree in speech communication. He led the Volunteers to a SEC football championship while winning SEC Player of the Year in 1997. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Manning was the No. 1 pick in the 1998 NFL draft, and a five-time NFL MVP during his 17 seasons. Manning led the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl win in 2007 and the Denver Broncos to a championship in 2016. Manning’s No. 18 jersey has been retired by both teams. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Manning started Omaha Productions in 2020, and has appeared in many commercials, and hosts and produces shows for ESPN+, ESPN2, and NBC.

Manning, along with his brother Eli, are hosts of the Monday Night Football alternative broadcast called the "Manningcast" on ESPN2 and ESPN+ during the NFL season.

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Manning also hosts his documentary – "Peyton’s Places" – where he interviews players, coaches and celebrities and visits locations tied to NFL history for ESPN+.

Manning also hosted and served as executive producer for NBC quiz show "College Bowl" with his brother Cooper.

Manning has also served as host of NBC’s "Saturday Night Live." He appeared on an episode of "The Simpsons" with Eli and Cooper, and voiced Guapo in the 2017 movie "Ferdinand". 

"There is no other ambassador for our college and university like Peyton Manning, and we are proud to welcome him to the college’s faculty," Joseph Mazer, Dean of the College of Communication and Information, said in the press release.

"Peyton is a true Volunteer, and I look forward to our students gaining invaluable knowledge from him as we continue to prepare the next generation of communication and information leaders."