University of North Texas Athletics
Photo by: Parker Waters - Manning Passing Academy
Q&A: Fine Discusses Manning Passing Academy
7/3/2019 10:09:00 AM | Football
DENTON – North Texas senior quarterback Mason Fine soaked up his experience this past week as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana. MeanGreenSports.com spent some time with Fine after he returned back to Denton to discuss his experience and his favorite moments.
MeanGreenSports.com: What was your overall experience like this past week?
Mason Fine: The people I met and the experiences that I created just in those four days that I was down at the Manning camp were unbelievable. I've been excited and telling people how great it went and the stories that happened. Just being able to have been down there with the other quarterbacks and being able to talk to Peyton, Eli and Archie and counsel the kids, it was a memory I created for a lifetime. It's going to be something I tell a lot of people about and my kids when I get older. It surely is one of my favorite memories so far in my 22 years of living.
MGS: That's a pretty bold statement.
MF: It is a bold statement, but it really was that great of an experience. It was something where I learned a lot and really had a great time and met a lot of great people down there.
MGS: You mentioned the Mannings, the namesake of this event. What was the level of interaction with them?
MF: I think I was around them probably more than I thought I would be. At staff meetings, they'd always go up there and talk to us, so we'd always be talking with them about that. Then we'd go out to practice from 9-11. There were two days in there where we would do something from 12-1:30 with Peyton and Eli and had the opportunity to ask them a lot of football questions whenever you wanted to. They said 'hey, if you see us around on campus, come up and talk to us. We're here for you all. Don't be afraid to ask a question.'
We were around them that day, and then we'd go back to practice two hours with the kids and then we'd go and work out with them [the Mannings], so you're getting 1-on-1 teaching from both Eli and Peyton on different drills and stuff like that. They would give us little tips and they'd put you in awkward situations with a lot more advanced drills, I would say, not your typical little drill work. They were top-level and really made you work in those drills to probably do a lot of stuff you're not used to. We then came back for the third practice with the kids and after that, every night there was a social that the Mannings put on. At the social event you got to be there and have great food, talk and really have a great time. It's really where I had most of my talks with Peyton, Eli and Archie. Peyton was always going around and making sure he was talking to everyone, especially those college kids. He and Eli really made time for us.
One memory I'll always have and I'll be sure to tell my kids, was on Friday night and I was sitting around the table having some dinner at one of their friend's house and Peyton came up there right beside me and sat down and we just sat there and had dinner together. Literally I never would have thought as a kid that when I'm 22, I'm going to be sitting down at a table having dinner with Peyton Manning. Peyton shared a lot of stories about his experiences in the NFL and little details and just kind of kept going, which was really cool.
They're such a down-to-earth family and in talking to Archie, he really truly cares about everyone that's at that camp. I had someone say that he remembers every one of the college kids there from 1996 until now. Each one of them really took the time and really got to know you on a deeper level. It's a family that I really have nothing but respect for. It was nice to spend my time down there and really learn from them.
MGS: Looking back at those drills you went through, what is one thing you'll take away from those drills that will help you heading into the season?
MF: Every throw is not going to be a picture-perfect throw. You're going to have to put your body in a lot of awkward situations and that's what they did. They wanted to see if they put you in a situation you're not comfortable with, how well you'll be able to adapt to that certain situation and get the throw off and get the completion. That's why I'll make sure when I'm out there throwing, I'm going to put myself in a tough situation where I have to think how I am going to adapt because I know I've got to make this throw. That's my biggest takeaway and just those drills they ran down there, I want to implement that in my routine and learn from them.
It also blew me away how much time Peyton and Eli spent in the preparation room going into a game. There was about an hour-long Q&A [with them] and I wrote about six pages worth of notes in my notebook. I soaked everything in and I made sure I learned from them and then want to take what they give me to implement it into my own work ethic.
MGS: Was there any one thing that any of the Mannings said to you or did that you'll take from this experience and never forget?
MF: Just watching those guys, man that family loves giving back. They had 1,200 campers there and each kid gets a football and a ton of gear, but you can tell at these social events that what truly mattered to those guys was taking care of everyone else before taking care of themselves. None of them said that to me, but they are just one of the most selfless groups of people that I've ever been around.
MGS: Did you ever catch yourself acting like a fan with Eli, Peyton or Archie, or were you able to separate that part of it during your time in Thibodaux?
MF: I'd like to say I did, but no (laughing). Every single time I saw them, I shook hands with them and talked with them a little bit. Every time I saw them in the distance, I was like there are three of, two of which I grew up watching, the greatest quarterbacks there are and they're telling me stories. This is an experience I'll remember for the rest of my life and I didn't take that for granted at all. I thought about that probably the whole time I was there.
MGS: What was it like to get the call or email when the MPA notified you that you would be invited as a counselor?
MF: So I was sitting in a restaurant eating with some of my friends and I get a phone call from a Louisiana number. I let it ring for a little bit and wasn't going to answer, but I said 'I'll just answer it.' I said hello and the voice on the phone said 'hello Mason Fine, this is Archie Manning…' I kind of froze for like five seconds and didn't know how to respond to him. Do I call him Mr. Manning? Is it Mr. Archie? So I acted like I knew him or something (laughing). That night he invited me and we literally talked on the phone for 45 minutes with him explaining the camp and everything. He talked about how he was keeping up with me last season and how honored they are to be able to invite me. Obviously I'm saying 'no, I appreciate y'all reaching out to me and inviting me.' It is such an honor because it's such a prestigious event and looking back at it, it's just really an awesome deal.
MGS: How was the camp itself, as well as the component of the camp where you were working with the campers?
MF: They're really organized and it really blew me away. Their people that put that together, they really did a great job organizing the whole thing. I had a station and they really gave us a lot of freedom, which I didn't really expect. They said 'Mason, you're doing RPO read pitch options.' And that was all they told you. It was your responsibility to make sure you did a great job at instructing these kids on what drills you want to do and making sure you were teaching them.
I was always worried, hoping I was doing a good job. I don't want the Mannings to come by and not like my drill, so I was always on my toes to make sure I'm doing the best I can to teach these kids. It was a lot of work, but so rewarding. It was truly awesome and I can't emphasize it enough how much work it was, but also how much fun I had.
I was able to work with kids from all over and they were really awesome. It was really great to be able to run my own drill and give tips on what I've learned through my college experience. There was some downtime too where you were able to interact and get to know them on more of a personal level and have the chance to give them some advice, explain who I am, what I've been through and how to help them with both life and football advice. It was cool to hear feedback from those guys. It was really satisfying when those kids at the end of camp really wanted to take a picture with you, or parents come up to you and thank you for taking the time to teach their kid. That was my main thing – these kids are spending their time out here and I did not want to waste their time, so I was coaching hard for all six hours I was out there with them [each day]. I was really focused on each and every one of them and giving my 100% all and really putting all of my effort into it.
I love this game so much and I always want to give back. My mentors and role models have always been my coaches. I know how much of an influence they can give and really change a person's heart and influence them in a positive way. If I have that platform, I'm always going to try to do the best I can with it and make a difference for the better.
MGS: Was there anyone you really connected with among the other college quarterbacks who were also counselors?
MF: I talked to [USC quarterback] JT Daniels a lot and spoke with him for about an hour one night at one of the socials. He was picking my brain and we were telling coach [Graham] Harrell stories and stuff, so we really bonded over the offense and talking about coach Harrell. I was out there doing drills and I thought I was hearing coach Harrell because JT was mimicking his quotes and stuff in the background, so we had a lot of fun with that.
I really also spent a lot of time with all the Conference USA quarterbacks [Southern Miss QB Jack Abraham, Louisiana Tech QB J'Mar Smith and UAB QB Tyler Johnston III], we kind of bonded and hung out for a little bit. Also the ACU quarterback that we play, Luke Anthony, was on my plane ride out there and on the way back. We got to spend some good time talking football.
I tried to talk to every single QB that was down there, I probably missed a couple, but they're all great dudes. You think there'd be a competitive level, and there was during drills, but we're all just people trying to have fun playing the sport we love, so it was a cool atmosphere.
I created a lot of relationships and met a lot of cool people, and those are relationships I will keep on moving forward for the rest of my life. If I could do this again, I would.
MeanGreenSports.com: What was your overall experience like this past week?
Mason Fine: The people I met and the experiences that I created just in those four days that I was down at the Manning camp were unbelievable. I've been excited and telling people how great it went and the stories that happened. Just being able to have been down there with the other quarterbacks and being able to talk to Peyton, Eli and Archie and counsel the kids, it was a memory I created for a lifetime. It's going to be something I tell a lot of people about and my kids when I get older. It surely is one of my favorite memories so far in my 22 years of living.
MGS: That's a pretty bold statement.
MF: It is a bold statement, but it really was that great of an experience. It was something where I learned a lot and really had a great time and met a lot of great people down there.
MGS: You mentioned the Mannings, the namesake of this event. What was the level of interaction with them?
MF: I think I was around them probably more than I thought I would be. At staff meetings, they'd always go up there and talk to us, so we'd always be talking with them about that. Then we'd go out to practice from 9-11. There were two days in there where we would do something from 12-1:30 with Peyton and Eli and had the opportunity to ask them a lot of football questions whenever you wanted to. They said 'hey, if you see us around on campus, come up and talk to us. We're here for you all. Don't be afraid to ask a question.'
We were around them that day, and then we'd go back to practice two hours with the kids and then we'd go and work out with them [the Mannings], so you're getting 1-on-1 teaching from both Eli and Peyton on different drills and stuff like that. They would give us little tips and they'd put you in awkward situations with a lot more advanced drills, I would say, not your typical little drill work. They were top-level and really made you work in those drills to probably do a lot of stuff you're not used to. We then came back for the third practice with the kids and after that, every night there was a social that the Mannings put on. At the social event you got to be there and have great food, talk and really have a great time. It's really where I had most of my talks with Peyton, Eli and Archie. Peyton was always going around and making sure he was talking to everyone, especially those college kids. He and Eli really made time for us.
One memory I'll always have and I'll be sure to tell my kids, was on Friday night and I was sitting around the table having some dinner at one of their friend's house and Peyton came up there right beside me and sat down and we just sat there and had dinner together. Literally I never would have thought as a kid that when I'm 22, I'm going to be sitting down at a table having dinner with Peyton Manning. Peyton shared a lot of stories about his experiences in the NFL and little details and just kind of kept going, which was really cool.
They're such a down-to-earth family and in talking to Archie, he really truly cares about everyone that's at that camp. I had someone say that he remembers every one of the college kids there from 1996 until now. Each one of them really took the time and really got to know you on a deeper level. It's a family that I really have nothing but respect for. It was nice to spend my time down there and really learn from them.
MGS: Looking back at those drills you went through, what is one thing you'll take away from those drills that will help you heading into the season?
MF: Every throw is not going to be a picture-perfect throw. You're going to have to put your body in a lot of awkward situations and that's what they did. They wanted to see if they put you in a situation you're not comfortable with, how well you'll be able to adapt to that certain situation and get the throw off and get the completion. That's why I'll make sure when I'm out there throwing, I'm going to put myself in a tough situation where I have to think how I am going to adapt because I know I've got to make this throw. That's my biggest takeaway and just those drills they ran down there, I want to implement that in my routine and learn from them.
It also blew me away how much time Peyton and Eli spent in the preparation room going into a game. There was about an hour-long Q&A [with them] and I wrote about six pages worth of notes in my notebook. I soaked everything in and I made sure I learned from them and then want to take what they give me to implement it into my own work ethic.
MGS: Was there any one thing that any of the Mannings said to you or did that you'll take from this experience and never forget?
MF: Just watching those guys, man that family loves giving back. They had 1,200 campers there and each kid gets a football and a ton of gear, but you can tell at these social events that what truly mattered to those guys was taking care of everyone else before taking care of themselves. None of them said that to me, but they are just one of the most selfless groups of people that I've ever been around.
MGS: Did you ever catch yourself acting like a fan with Eli, Peyton or Archie, or were you able to separate that part of it during your time in Thibodaux?
MF: I'd like to say I did, but no (laughing). Every single time I saw them, I shook hands with them and talked with them a little bit. Every time I saw them in the distance, I was like there are three of, two of which I grew up watching, the greatest quarterbacks there are and they're telling me stories. This is an experience I'll remember for the rest of my life and I didn't take that for granted at all. I thought about that probably the whole time I was there.
MGS: What was it like to get the call or email when the MPA notified you that you would be invited as a counselor?
MF: So I was sitting in a restaurant eating with some of my friends and I get a phone call from a Louisiana number. I let it ring for a little bit and wasn't going to answer, but I said 'I'll just answer it.' I said hello and the voice on the phone said 'hello Mason Fine, this is Archie Manning…' I kind of froze for like five seconds and didn't know how to respond to him. Do I call him Mr. Manning? Is it Mr. Archie? So I acted like I knew him or something (laughing). That night he invited me and we literally talked on the phone for 45 minutes with him explaining the camp and everything. He talked about how he was keeping up with me last season and how honored they are to be able to invite me. Obviously I'm saying 'no, I appreciate y'all reaching out to me and inviting me.' It is such an honor because it's such a prestigious event and looking back at it, it's just really an awesome deal.
MGS: How was the camp itself, as well as the component of the camp where you were working with the campers?
MF: They're really organized and it really blew me away. Their people that put that together, they really did a great job organizing the whole thing. I had a station and they really gave us a lot of freedom, which I didn't really expect. They said 'Mason, you're doing RPO read pitch options.' And that was all they told you. It was your responsibility to make sure you did a great job at instructing these kids on what drills you want to do and making sure you were teaching them.
I was always worried, hoping I was doing a good job. I don't want the Mannings to come by and not like my drill, so I was always on my toes to make sure I'm doing the best I can to teach these kids. It was a lot of work, but so rewarding. It was truly awesome and I can't emphasize it enough how much work it was, but also how much fun I had.
I was able to work with kids from all over and they were really awesome. It was really great to be able to run my own drill and give tips on what I've learned through my college experience. There was some downtime too where you were able to interact and get to know them on more of a personal level and have the chance to give them some advice, explain who I am, what I've been through and how to help them with both life and football advice. It was cool to hear feedback from those guys. It was really satisfying when those kids at the end of camp really wanted to take a picture with you, or parents come up to you and thank you for taking the time to teach their kid. That was my main thing – these kids are spending their time out here and I did not want to waste their time, so I was coaching hard for all six hours I was out there with them [each day]. I was really focused on each and every one of them and giving my 100% all and really putting all of my effort into it.
I love this game so much and I always want to give back. My mentors and role models have always been my coaches. I know how much of an influence they can give and really change a person's heart and influence them in a positive way. If I have that platform, I'm always going to try to do the best I can with it and make a difference for the better.
MGS: Was there anyone you really connected with among the other college quarterbacks who were also counselors?
MF: I talked to [USC quarterback] JT Daniels a lot and spoke with him for about an hour one night at one of the socials. He was picking my brain and we were telling coach [Graham] Harrell stories and stuff, so we really bonded over the offense and talking about coach Harrell. I was out there doing drills and I thought I was hearing coach Harrell because JT was mimicking his quotes and stuff in the background, so we had a lot of fun with that.
I really also spent a lot of time with all the Conference USA quarterbacks [Southern Miss QB Jack Abraham, Louisiana Tech QB J'Mar Smith and UAB QB Tyler Johnston III], we kind of bonded and hung out for a little bit. Also the ACU quarterback that we play, Luke Anthony, was on my plane ride out there and on the way back. We got to spend some good time talking football.
I tried to talk to every single QB that was down there, I probably missed a couple, but they're all great dudes. You think there'd be a competitive level, and there was during drills, but we're all just people trying to have fun playing the sport we love, so it was a cool atmosphere.
I created a lot of relationships and met a lot of cool people, and those are relationships I will keep on moving forward for the rest of my life. If I could do this again, I would.
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