Archie Manning will take a leave of absence from the College Football Playoff selection committee following complications stemming from a knee replacement surgery and will not participate in picking the four teams for the inaugural tournament this year.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen was the first to report Manning’s decision to step down.
“It is an honor to serve on this committee, and I enjoy the group and was looking forward to the opportunity ahead,” Manning said in a statement. “My health had to be my primary concern and I intend to be up and about as soon as possible.”
Manning, the former Ole Miss quarterback and 1969 SEC Player of the Year, was one of 13 members of the selection committee, which will release its first top 25 rankings Oct. 28.Archie Manning needs additional surgery. Nothing is life-threatening but will focus on health, unable to devote time to playoff committee
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 20, 2014
“We will miss Archie,” executive director of the College Football Playoff Bill Hancock said. “He has such a great knowledge of college football and history with the game, but we all understand his reason for taking a leave. I wish him all the best and look forward to his return in 2015.”
The College Football Playoff selection committee will not add a new member and will move forward with 12 members this year. The other members: Jeff Long (chair), Barry Alvarez, Mike Gould, Pat Haden, Tom Jernstedt, Oliver Luck, Tom Osborne, Dan Radakovich, Condoleezza Rice, Mike Tranghese, Steve Wieberg and Tyrone Willingham.