“An incredible mentor”: How Peyton Manning’s $4M gift honored the two Tennessee mentors who shaped him beyond football and helped make him who he is today | NFL News
Peyton Manning built his legacy by becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, but some of the people who helped shape him were not football coaches. Long before he became a Super Bowl champion, Manning was a student at the University of Tennessee, where two academic mentors left a lasting impression on his life. Years later, he chose to honor them in a way that could help generations of students.In August 2025, Manning has given more than $4 million to Tennessee’s College of Communication and Information in honor of John Haas and Faye Julian. The gift established two endowments carrying their names and will support student success, faculty research and other opportunities at the college. For Manning, it was more than a major donation. It was a way to recognize two people who helped him grow when he was still finding his path.
Peyton Manning never forgot the mentors who helped shape him at Tennessee
Manning arrived at Tennessee as a highly regarded football player, but his college experience was about much more than what happened on the field. John Haas became one of the professors and academic advisers who guided him during those years. Haas later spent more than 25 years as director of the School of Communication Studies and continued teaching at the university.Haas had a particular influence on Manning because of his focus on communication. He founded Tennessee’s Public Speaking Center and worked closely with students who wanted to become better speakers and communicators. Manning has often credited his teachers with helping him develop skills that went beyond the classroom.In 2018, Manning showed just how much that relationship meant to him. He donated $1 million to establish the John Haas Student Experiential Learning Endowment. The fund was designed to give communication students opportunities such as trips, internships, study-abroad experiences and other learning opportunities outside the classroom.At the time, Manning explained why Haas was so important to him.“Exceptional teachers transform your way of learning by challenging and motivating you while teaching more than just a subject,” Manning said. “For me and so many others, that teacher was Dr. John Haas.”That relationship continued long after Manning left Knoxville. During a recent visit to Tennessee, Manning served as a guest lecturer in Haas’ communication studies class. He then surprised Haas by announcing the lead gift for the new John Haas Director’s Chair Endowment.The second person Manning chose to honor was Faye Julian, a former Tennessee dean who also played an important role in his college life. Julian became the first dean of the College of Communication and Information after spending decades as a faculty member and administrator at Tennessee. She also became a mentor who encouraged Manning to surround himself with students who pushed him to improve.Manning described Julian as “an incredible mentor and a steady source of encouragement” during his time at Tennessee. He remembered the community of ambitious students she helped introduce him to and said being around them pushed him to grow “not just as a student but as a person.”Julian passed away in 2018, but Manning’s latest gift gives her influence a lasting place on the Tennessee campus. The Faye Julian Dean’s Chair Endowment will help future leaders at the college support students, faculty and new opportunities.
Peyton Manning turned gratitude into opportunities for the next generation
Peyton Manning’s connection to Tennessee has never been limited to football. His relationship with the university has continued for decades, and his giving has repeatedly focused on helping students gain opportunities he believes can change their lives.Manning established the Peyton Manning Scholarship in 1998, shortly after graduating from Tennessee. The competitive four-year scholarship has supported dozens of students since its creation. He has also provided internships through Omaha Productions for Tennessee journalism and media students, giving them a chance to gain practical experience in an industry Manning entered after his playing career.His connection with the College of Communication and Information has also become more personal. Manning joined the college’s faculty as a professor of practice, allowing him to share his experience with students directly. He has spoken with students about communication, leadership, public speaking and the media world.That makes his latest gift feel like a full-circle moment. Haas and Julian once helped Manning make the most of his time at Tennessee. Now, Manning is helping make sure other students receive that same chance.The story is ultimately about the lasting power of mentorship. Haas was there as Manning developed as a student, while Julian helped connect him with people who challenged him to become better. Manning never forgot either relationship.Instead of simply thanking his mentors, he chose to carry their work forward. More than $4 million will now help Tennessee students, faculty and leaders build their own opportunities in the same college where Manning once learned and grew.For a player who spent his career measuring success in touchdowns, victories and championships, this is a different kind of legacy. Manning is using his success to honor the people who helped him along the way, proving that sometimes the biggest impact an athlete can make begins with remembering who helped them become who they are.
