BREAKING NEWS: Netflix Releases “The Underdog”, a Highly Anticipated Documentary About Ole Miss Legend Archie Manning
June 7, 2025 — Oxford, MS (Breaking News | Netflix Original)
In what is already being hailed as one of the most powerful sports documentaries of the year, Netflix has officially released “The Underdog,”a moving and in-depth look at the life and legacy of Archie Manning, the legendary Ole Miss quarterback whose name became synonymous with heart, leadership, and Southern grit.
Slated for global release this Friday, June 13, 2025, “The Underdog”chronicles Manning’s career at the University of Mississippi from 1968 to 1970 — a time when college football, the American South, and the nation itself were undergoing massive change. The documentary is already generating major buzz for its emotional storytelling, rare archival footage, and interviews with football greats, civil rights historians, and the Manning family.
A Story of Heart and Perseverance
Narrated by Academy Award-winner Matthew McConaughey, “The Underdog”traces Manning’s early years growing up in Drew, Mississippi, to becoming one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in college football history. Though he never won a national championship or a Heisman Trophy, Manning’s impact went far beyond trophies — something the film makes clear.
“Ole Miss was going through a lot, the South was going through a lot, and Archie was a symbol of hope and unity in a time of great division,” McConaughey says in the opening scenes. “This isn’t just a football story. It’s an American story.”
Archival footage shows Manning’s legendary performance against Alabama in 1969 — a game that, despite ending in a loss, remains one of the most iconic quarterback displays in college football history. That night, Manning passed for 436 yards and ran for 104, setting an NCAA record at the time for total offense in a single game.
The Family Legacy
The documentary also gives a touching look into Manning’s life off the field — including never-before-seen home videos and interviews with his sons Peyton and Eli Manning, both of whom became NFL Super Bowl champions. The Manning family’s bond, competitive spirit, and deep roots in Mississippi are central themes of the film.
“He was the original,” Eli Manning says in one emotional segment. “Before there was Peyton, before there was me — there was Dad. And he never stopped believing in Ole Miss, or in us.”
National Praise Rolling In Since early screenings, “The Underdog”* has received widespread acclaim from critics and fans alike. Sports Illustrated called it “a must-watch masterpiece,” while Variety praised it for “redefining what a sports documentary can be — personal, political, and profoundly moving.”
With executive producers including NFL Films, ESPN’s SEC Network, and the Manning family, “The Underdog”is more than just a biography — it’s a celebration of resilience, humility, and an era that shaped the modern game.
A Mississippi Legend Immortalized
Archie Manning, now in his 70s, makes several heartfelt appearances in the film. Reflecting on his time at Ole Miss, he says, “I didn’t win all the games, but I played every one of them with everything I had. I’ll always be proud to be a Rebel.”
With the release of “The Underdog,”a new generation will come to understand why Archie Manning isn’t just a football legend — he’s an American icon.
