Hog Calls

Manning praises another Allen

NWA Democrat-Gazette/Michael Woods STEPPING UP: Austin Allen, here pictured during spring practice at the University of Arkansas, replaces graduated brother Brandon as the Razorbacks' starting quarterback. Arkansas opens the season Sept. 3 against Louisiana Tech at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Just like brother Brandon last year, Austin Allen enters this football season endorsed by Archie Manning.

So even in this election year, no politician is more thrilled by an endorsement than Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, thrilled with Manning again endorsing the Razorbacks' quarterback.

A College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (1968-1970) at Mississippi, NFL quarterback from 1971-1984 and the father of 2-time Super Bowl champion quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, Archie Manning oversees the Manning Passing Academy during the summer.

Brandon Allen participated in the Manning Academy last summer. Brandon merited Archie's praise, Bielema said post camp. As a 2015 Razorbacks senior, Brandon would lead the nation in total quarterback rating (87.9).

Fourth-year junior Austin Allen, now elevated to starting quarterback, passed through the Manning Passing Academy this summer.

"Archie shot me a text two days after they were done and said, 'Wow! What an impressive camp Austin had," Bielema said during last week's SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala. "I think Archie might know a few things about quarterback play. So that kind of got me excited."

The Razorbacks receivers should be excited, too, Bielema said.

"He throws a tremendous deep ball that I think can really help our offense and our kids know that," Bielema said.

REMEMBERING MARSH WHITE

Marsh White ranks among the racial pioneers in Arkansas football history, a black running back signed in 1971 from Texas just two years after the late Jon Richardson became the UA's first black scholarship football player.

To his Razorbacks teammates mourning his death last week from cancer, Marsh transcended race well nigh to godliness. Not football godliness but as a truly humble believer in God eventually teaching at the Southwestern Bible Baptist Institute and Dallas Theological Seminary.

Marsh had the talent to play two NFL seasons totaling 28 games in 1975 and 1976 for the New York Giants after lettering three years for Frank Broyles' Razorbacks mostly miscast. Though a big back built for fullback, Marsh's talents likely lay more towards a tailback's. But with eventual UA Hall of Honor running backs Dickey Morton ahead of him in 1972 and 1973 and Ike Forte ahead in 1974, Marsh played fullback.

Sometimes he started. Sometimes he warmed the bench.

Marsh always smiled regardless. He never stressed nor complained.

The same, his teammates said, can be said for Marsh, enduring horrific cancer that inflicted pain.

Lee King, lettering from 1972-1974 in the Arkansas line, expressed it best group e-mailing old teammates.

"His pain level off the charts," King wrote after visiting his ailing friend in Bonham, Texas. "Literally unable to find one comfortable position, a suffering beyond thinking, and in all this Marsh has not complained. Not once has he spoken gruffly or impatiently. Not once has he expressed anger toward men or God. Graciousness and courtesy, gentleness and thanksgiving have been extended no matter who, no matter what. I dare say some angels observing Marsh these past few months have shaken their heads in disbelief."

Sports on 07/18/2016