Notably, both quarterbacks are among the 31 players who share roots in the SEC.
The Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning played at Tennessee from 1994 to 1997, where he became the Volunteers’ all-time leading passer, totaling 11,201 yards in his four years. Manning also won 39 out of 45 total games as a starting quarterback, setting yet another record for the SEC career wins. As a result, Manning graduated with a multitude of awards, notably the First Team All-American honor.
The Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton played for Auburn, and in 2010 – his only season playing there – he won a National Championship, the Heisman Trophy, the AP Player of the Year award, and the Manning Award (talk about aging Peyton…), among other honors.