Ricky Manning

Richard "Ricky" Manning, Jr. (born November 18, 1980) is a former American football cornerback and a former High School Football Coach in Fresno, California. He played college football at UCLA and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Along with the Panthers he also played for the Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders, and the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League

Manning played high school football at Edison High School in Fresno.

Manning started 45 consecutive games for UCLA, which ranks as the second longest streak in school history. His 13 interceptions tie him for seventh all-time among Bruin players. In addition, he made first-team All-Pac-10 for his last three years.

Carolina Panthers

Manning was taken in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft by Carolina. His first pick came in only his second game, as he intercepted Atlanta Falcons quarterback Doug Johnson. With injuries to the secondary, Manning eventually took over a starting role. His first interception to be returned for a touchdown came against the New York Giants. But he will be forever remembered by Panther fans for his performance during the 2003-04 NFL playoffs. In the NFC Divisional game against the St. Louis Rams, Manning's timely interception of Marc Bulger set up the game-winning touchdown to propel the Panthers into the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. There, Manning made a permanent mark on Panther history by intercepting Donovan McNabb three times en route to the Panthers' victory. Manning became the first rookie to win Defensive Player of the Week honors twice in the same postseason.

During the Panthers' injury-riddled 2004 season, Manning helped anchor a defense that ranked first in the league in interceptions. Against the Rams, Manning and teammate Dan Morgan picked off two passes each, the first game where a pair of teammates had a pair of interceptions in three years.

Chicago Bears

Ricky became a restricted free agent in the following offseason, and the Bears signed him to an offer sheet on April 21. The Panthers declined to match Chicago's offer, and received a third round pick from the Bears in the 2006 NFL Draft. Manning intercepted five passes during the 2006 season. He intercepted two passes from Matt Hasselbeck, and later returned an interception for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during week thirteen. He also had an interception during the Divisional Playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks.

Manning saw minimal playtime during the 2007 season, and was used at nickelback. He later worked with the team's third string defense, and tutored Danieal Manning, who would eventually replace him as the team's nickelback. On 26 August 2008, the Chicago Bears released Ricky after a two-year stint.

St. Louis Rams

On August 31, 2008, Manning agreed to terms with the St. Louis Rams. He officially signed the following day. Then on October 14, 2008, Manning was placed on injured reserve after injuring his foot in a game against the Washington Redskins.

Oakland Raiders

Manning signed with the Oakland Raiders on August 15, 2009 after the team released tight end John Paul Foschi. Manning was released on August 24.

Legal troubles

In 2002 Manning was convicted of assault as a result of a fight with cheerleaders Brian Herbert and Seth Spiker outside a Westwood bar. Originally charged with two counts of felony assault, Manning pleaded not guilty to one count and the other count was dismissed. He received probation.

On April 23, 2006, Manning attacked Soroush Sabzi, in a Denny's restaurant after first teasing him for working on a laptop computer. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. (Two days before the incident, the Bears had signed Manning to $21 million offer sheet. In light of the assault charge, the Panthers declined to match Chicago's offer and Manning signed with the Bears.)

Facing up to four years in prison, Manning pleaded no contest in September 2006 to felony assault in exchange for another probation deal. Later, Manning proclaimed his innocence. He acknowledged having words with the victim then pushing him in the head—but after that, according to him, his former UCLA teammates did the damage. "Yeah, I did it" explained Manning (AP report). "If I don't plea to this I have to go through trial. We're in season now. Then I'd have to put it in the hands of a jury. There are tons of things that can happen with a jury... I just can't risk that."

The NFL suspended him for one game for this, his second felony assault conviction.

High school coach

In 2012 Manning was hired to coach his high school alma mater's varsity football team. He was the Head Coach of the Edison High Tigers, in Fresno California, for just one year.

NFL stats